Marijuana – Family Council

New Study Links Marijuana Sales to Teen Psychiatric Emergencies

Jan 5, 2026Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital shows teen psychiatric emergencies spiked after marijuana commercialization began in the state.

Researchers analyzed over 7,300 psychiatric emergency visits before and after recreational marijuana sales started in Massachusetts. The results were alarming. Teens aged 12-17 showed the biggest increase in marijuana use and cannabis-related disorders after commercialization.

Teen marijuana use jumped from 5% to 17.3% in psychiatric emergency cases. Cannabis-related disorders among teens increased from 3.2% to 12.1%.

Dr. Cheryl Foo, who led the study, called the findings “very concerning.”

Today’s marijuana is far more dangerous than what previous generations used. “What people were smoking at Woodstock in the 1960s was probably 3% THC versus now, on average, between 15% to 30%, sometimes even 60% THC,” Dr. Foo explained.

High-potency marijuana can trigger serious mental health problems.

A growing body of scientific research shows marijuana is dangerous.

From deadly heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects, marijuana has been found time and time again to pose serious health hazards.

Researchers say marijuana doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.

And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.

All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Marijuana Isn’t Medicine: Study

Jan 2, 2026Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

A recent study confirms that marijuana is not “medicine.”

Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that “evidence is insufficient for the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most medical indications.”

Even worse, researchers discovered that 29% of people using marijuana for “medical” purposes actually developed cannabis use disorder — meaning they became dependent or addicted.

The study also found daily marijuana use was associated with increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

A growing body of scientific evidence reveals that marijuana is harmful.

We have written for years how THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.

In fact, researchers now say marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.

Arkansas law currently allows “medical” marijuana, but this new research should give Arkansas families and policymakers pause about the state’s marijuana program.

All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

New Study Shows Marijuana is Sending Older Adults to the E.R.

Dec 22, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

New research shows emergency room visits from marijuana products have skyrocketed among older Americans.

The study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine tracked E.R. visits specifically related to CBD products, medical marijuana, and drugs made from hemp, like Delta-8 THC.

Researchers recorded nearly 18,000 E.R. visits by adults 50 or older between 2016 and 2023.

Patients suffered from altered mental states, psychiatric episodes, fainting, heart problems, and dangerous falls. Many arrived at hospitals after consuming gummies, liquids, or other edible products made from marijuana.

Most of the patients indicated they were using marijuana for medical purposes.

One in five patients required hospitalization due to serious complications from the drugs.

CBD products alone accounted for more than half of all emergency visits, despite being marketed as safe and natural.

This spike in E.R. visits related to marijuana is not an isolated situation. A 2024 study found E.R. visits surged among Canadian seniors following legalization. A 2022 study revealed E.R. visits increased for Canadian children who suffered from marijuana poisoning. Other researchers have found poison center reports due to marijuana exposure rose 245% from 2000 – 2020. Earlier this year, medical professionals in Connecticut reported that marijuana is sending children to the E.R. and prompting people to call Poison Control.

A growing body of scientific research shows marijuana is dangerous.

From deadly heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects, marijuana has been found time and time again to pose serious health hazards.

In fact, researchers say marijuana doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.

And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.

All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.