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.
