Marijuana – Page 25 – Family Council

Weeding Out Crime: Arkansas State Police Seized 15K+ Pounds of Illegal Marijuana Last Year

Feb 19, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

The Arkansas State Police seized more than 15,000 pounds of illegal marijuana in 2024.

In a news release, the ASP reported its Interstate Criminal Patrol played a key role in the seizures, noting,

Illegal marijuana seizures increased by approximately 50%, with more than 15,000 pounds confiscated in 2024, compared to just over 10,000 pounds in 2023. Cash seizures more than doubled, from $1.4 million in 2023 to $3.3 million in 2024. Methamphetamine seizures increased significantly from 56 pounds in 2023 to 509 pounds in 2024.

Besides illegal marijuana, authorities also confiscated 89 pounds of illegal THC wax and more than 3,700 THC vapes.

Much of the illegal marijuana that authorities in Arkansas seize actually comes from states that have legalized the drug.

Over the past decade we have seen how legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal marijuana across America.

For example, last year, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force seized 154,000 pounds of illegal marijuana and destroyed some 236,000 illegal marijuana plants.

Illegal marijuana operations often are believed to be tied to labor trafficking and violent crime — contributing to what some have dubbed “modern day slavery on American soil.”

Troublingly, Chinese organized crime is dominating black market marijuana in many states. The U.S. Department of Justice says Chinese drug cartels may be making millions of dollars from illegal marijuana in states like Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and elsewhere.

We appreciate the hard work of the Arkansas State Police keeping illegal drugs out of our communities.

As 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.

Lawmakers File Measure Addressing Marijuana Use in Public, On the Highway

Feb 12, 2025Jerry CoxLegislation, MarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana

A new bill filed at the Arkansas Legislature would clarify state laws concerning medical marijuana use in public and on the highway.

H.B. 1452 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Tyler Dees (R — Siloam Springs) amends Arkansas law concerning the use and transportation of medical marijuana in Arkansas.

The bill clarifies that it is illegal to smoke marijuana in public — including at a school, a daycare, a college, a drug and alcohol abuse treatment center, at a community or recreation center, on a military base, in the presence of a pregnant woman — or anywhere that tobacco smoking is prohibited by law.

The bill also makes it clear that it is illegal drive on a highway with an unsealed container of smokable medical marijuana within reach of the driver or passenger.

Research shows that marijuana use clouds brain function. Marijuana exposure is a public health hazard that harms pregnant women and children.

H.B. 1452 will help uphold public health and safety in Arkansas when it comes to marijuana. You Can Read The Bill Here.

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

CT Poison Control Centers See Spike in Marijuana-Related Calls

Feb 12, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

Marijuana is sending Connecticut children to the E.R. and prompting people to call Poison Control.

Local news outlets report,

The Connecticut Poison Control Center says it receives 40-60 calls a month on average for children 17 and younger who have inhaled or ingested cannabis. There have been 668 calls into the center since 2019 with 280 cases of children younger than 6 and 110 for ages 6-11.

Doctors say [marijuana] edibles are the real issue because they are made to look like candy.

For years now, public health data across America has shown marijuana products are sending kids to the emergency room.

Marijuana edibles often mimic popular candies that appeal to children. But because marijuana edibles often contain high concentrations of THC, the products are dangerous.

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

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.