Marijuana – Page 4 – Family Council

Revisiting How Marijuana’s Legalization Fuels Organized Crime

Feb 12, 2026Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

Marijuana’s legalization has created a massive black market problem that authorities say is benefiting criminal organizations across America.

Law enforcement in other states allege 40% of America’s black market marijuana has come from legal operations in Oklahoma. Over a twelve-month period, authorities say more than 85 million pounds of marijuana in Oklahoma went unaccounted for—meaning tens of millions of pounds of marijuana grown legally may have been sold illegally on the black market in just one year.

In Maine, authorities have said there are hundreds of illegal growing operations connected to Chinese organized crime groups.

California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis since 2022. These operations frequently involve labor trafficking, wage theft, and other serious crimes.

Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate illegal marijuana from Oklahoma and other states.

Contrary to popular belief, legalization in other states has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across the country.

That’s just one reason voters and lawmakers should think twice before doing anything that would expand marijuana in our state.

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.

Marijuana is Dangerous for People with Mental Health Problems: New Study

Feb 10, 2026Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

A new study from Washington State shows that people with psychotic disorders face the highest risk of serious health problems from marijuana use.

Researchers studied over 4,000 marijuana users and found that people with psychotic disorders were far more likely to experience dangerous side effects like Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome — a condition that causes severe, repeated vomiting — heart problems, fainting, and hallucinations.

The study, published in the Community Mental Health Journal, found that marijuana users with mental illness also needed medical attention more often than other users.

Today’s marijuana is not the same drug from decades past. Modern marijuana is far more potent and has been linked to serious mental health problems, stroke, birth defects, cancers, and deadly heart disease.

Researchers now 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.

Studies like this one remind us once again that 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.

Why are Arkansas’ “Medical” Marijuana Sales So High?

Feb 9, 2026Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

“Medical” marijuana sales in Arkansas continue to rise higher and higher, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Sales reportedly reached a record $291.1 million in 2025.

Arkansans aren’t just spending more money on “medical” marijuana. They are buying more marijuana in general — and more people appear to be using it.

In 2024, Arkansans bought 75,598 pounds of marijuana. Last year, that number climbed to 79,223 pounds.

In 2024, marijuana dispensaries sold more than $2.1 million worth of “medical” marijuana on April 20 — marijuana’s unofficial holiday. At the time, that was nearly three times the daily average sales.

In 2022, the Arkansas Department of Health reported a little over 85,000 people certified to use “medical” marijuana. By last year, that number climbed to more than 108,000.

If “medical” marijuana is about treating illnesses and helping sick people, then why are people buying more and more marijuana?

Why has “medical” marijuana use increased so much in the past few years?

And why would “medical” marijuana sales spike on a day that’s purely dedicated to getting high?

Back in 2016, Family Council said that “medical” marijuana would legalize a form of recreational marijuana in Arkansas. The numbers seem to show that may be what’s happening.

New scientific research shows that marijuana is not medicine. A recent study found nearly one in three “medical” marijuana users developed cannabis use disorder — meaning they became dependent or addicted.

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

High-potency marijuana can trigger serious mental health problems. Even “casual” marijuana use is considered dangerous.

And contrary to popular belief, legalization in other states has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal marijuana across the country.

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.