New Study Links Marijuana Sales to Teen Psychiatric Emergencies

Marijuana

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.

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Marijuana Isn’t Medicine: Study

Marijuana

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.

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Six Goals for 2026

Family Council

As the year draws to a close, I want you to know Family Council and the Education Alliance have big plans for 2026 in Arkansas.

Here are six of our goals for the coming year:

Help Elect Qualified Candidates. Since 1990, our Arkansas Voter’s Guide has been Arkansas’ leading source of non-partisan information on candidates. We survey the candidates, and we share their answers in print and online. How candidates answer critical questions on abortion, education, guns, and religious freedom helps voters decide which candidates reflect their values. We plan to distribute thousands of voter’s guides between now and March.

Stand Up for 32,000 Arkansas Homeschoolers. Since 1998, our Education Alliance division has been the statewide hub for homeschooling and defending parents’ right to teach their children at home. At the Capitol, we have stopped harmful bills and fought to ensure homeschoolers are included in funding under the LEARNS Act. When all is said and done, good parents teaching their children at home may prove to be the most powerful weapon against the moral and cultural decay plaguing our state and nation.

Stop Abortion by Supporting Pregnancy Help Organizations. Now that abortion is generally prohibited, we need to focus on reducing the demand for abortion. More than 60 pregnancy help organizations across Arkansas are ready to help women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies. Since 2022, we have worked with the governor and lawmakers each year to secure millions of dollars in funding for state grants. We plan to continue that work in 2026.

Bring a Godly Influence into the Public Arena. We are helping Arkansas’ pastors and churches get involved. The Arkansas Church Ambassador Network, a new division of Family Council, is implementing a comprehensive plan involving online information, social media, email, printed reports, and other resources to equip pastors when it comes to social and moral issues. This will enable them to confidently educate their members and involve their church. We are helping pastors and lawmakers establish relationships that will be good for all Arkansans. We plan to bring at least 500 pastors to the State Capitol in 2026 to meet with lawmakers and bring a godly influence into the halls of government. Ultimately, we are creating opportunities for ministers to pray with elected officials, share God’s word, and help Arkansans grow in their faith.

Organize 50 Conservative Arkansas Attorneys to Get into the Fight. We are excited about mobilizing a statewide network of volunteer attorneys who can help draft laws, analyze ballot measures, testify at the Capitol, and work with legal experts. The Arkansas Justice Institute, a new initiative by Family Council, will orchestrate this effort.

Bringing Faith Back to Public Schools and Public Buildings. Family Council is also working with other groups to expand religious freedom in schools, place copies of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, and promote academic study of the Bible and released time for religious instruction during school hours. Family Council’s Faith at School Toolkit equips Arkansans to do this and more.

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

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