Despite Legalization, Illicit Marijuana Still a Problem in New York

Marijuana

News outlets report New York authorities continue to raid businesses selling illicit marijuana products.

Nationwide, many states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, and the Trump Administration has moved to ease federal restrictions on the drug. But while policymakers push for more marijuana, law enforcement in these states continue to battle marijuana grown or sold illegally on the black market.

A Bronx smoke shop was recently raided for the third time in two year. Authorities reportedly say the illegal marijuana operation did not have a license and “was located too close to a school, place of worship, or youth facility.”

California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis since 2022. In Maine, authorities have said there are hundreds of illegal growing operations connected to Chinese organized crime groups. Oklahoma’s lax marijuana laws have created similar issues, with law enforcement alleging that 40% of America’s black market marijuana has come from legal grow sites in Oklahoma. And Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate marijuana from these states.

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.”

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.

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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Researchers Express Concerns Over Contaminated Marijuana Products

Marijuana,

A recent journal article highlights concerns about contaminants in “medical” marijuana and other cannabis products.

Nationwide, many states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, and the Trump Administration has moved to ease federal restrictions on the drug. But while policymakers push for more marijuana, scientific evidence shows there are serious health concerns surrounding marijuana.

Researchers writing in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases say there are no standards for testing “medical” marijuana and other cannabis product for microbes and other contaminants.

The article says “microbial contamination” may happen “during cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage, and distribution, allowing potentially pathogenic organisms to persist in final consumer products.”

In other words, contaminants in marijuana may be harmful to the people who use it.

This is not the first time experts have warned about marijuana products being contaminated.

In 2024, lab testing from California found many marijuana products contained “concerning” levels of pesticides. Other research found marijuana often was contaminated with arsenic, lead, or mold, and that marijuana users may have higher levels of heavy metals in their blood.

Last year, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission tested 51 samples of industrial hemp flowers as part of the commission’s “Operation Clean Leaf” initiative. All 51 samples contained more THC than federal law allows, and authorities said some were tainted with dangerous pesticides.

Marijuana products are easily contaminated by pesticides and mold spores, because the marijuana plant itself easily absorbs toxins in the soil as well as chemicals or other substances sprayed on the plant.

These contaminants are passed along in marijuana products — posing serious health risks for marijuana users.

There are other concerns about marijuana besides the dangers from mold, pesticides, and other contaminants.

THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and even birth defects.

In fact, researchers now say marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease. That ought to give everyone pause.

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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Study Shows Marijuana May Interfere with Adolescent Brain Development

Marijuana

A study published this month suggests marijuana use during adolescence may interfere with brain development.

Nationwide, many states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, and the Trump Administration has moved to ease federal restrictions on the drug. But while policymakers push for more marijuana, scientific evidence continues to show that’s a bad idea.

In a study published by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers from Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island found marijuana use during adolescence is linked to differences in brain regions related to motivation and reward. Experts say the brain is more sensitive to the effects of marijuana during teenage development, which raises serious concerns about the long term effects of using marijuana during adolescence.

We have written before how high-potency marijuana is linked to psychotic disorders and may be especially harmful to children and teens.

Modern marijuana can contain 15% to 30% THC — sometimes even 60% THC — compared to just 3% THC in marijuana from the 1960s. The higher the potency, the greater the risk there is to users.

A recent study from Columbia University found even “casual” marijuana use is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and impulsive behavior in teenagers.

Addiction experts note that marijuana can trigger mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found teen psychiatric emergencies spiked after marijuana commercialization began in the 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.

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