Study Finds Spike in Teen THC Use

Marijuana

A recent study from the University of Michigan found flavored marijuana vaping has become the most common form on marijuana use among teenagers.

Researchers found a sharp spike in marijuana vaping since 2021, writing, “Among eighth graders who vaped marijuana, the percentage using flavored solutions jumped from 47% in 2021 to 63% in 2024. The trend was similar for older students, with use climbing from 41% to 53% for 10th graders and from 36% to 50% for 12th graders.”

A similar study last year found an alarming number of high schoolers use Delta-8 THC.

A growing body of research shows that THC and marijuana are harmful regardless of whether they are vaped, smoked, or eaten.

Public health reports across America have shown these drugs have sent kids to the emergency room and prompted parents to call poison control centers.

Marijuana has been tied to a number of deadly heart problems — including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. In fact, researchers now say marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease. 

Marijuana use has been tied to increased risk for diabetes.

Experts also have found heavy marijuana use is strongly linked to a 325% increased risk of oral cancer.

And marijuana use during pregnancy has been shown time and time again to hurt unborn children and newborns.

In Arkansas, marijuana industry insiders worked unsuccessfully to expand marijuana via the state’s ballot initiative process in 2022 and 2024. Fortunately, neither of those bad measures passed.

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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Report Finds Nearly Half of Fatal Car Accidents Tied to Marijuana

Marijuana

A recent report found nearly half of drivers killed in car accidents had THC levels well above legal DUI limits.

THC is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. The study led by Wright State University and published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons analyzed coroner records in Ohio from 2019 to 2024. Researchers found 41.9% tested positive for active THC in their blood, with an average level of 30.7 ng/mL. For perspective, the legal limit for driving under the influence of THC in Colorado is 5 ng/mL.

Unfortunately, marijuana use has been linked to fatal accidents for years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the CDC report that after alcohol, marijuana is the substance most often associated with impaired driving.

In Colorado, traffic fatalities where the driver tested positive for marijuana have increased 138% after the state legalized marijuana in 2013, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Washington doubled following legalization.

The dangers extend beyond the road. Marijuana has also been linked to deadly heart problems — including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. In fact, researchers now say marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease. Experts also have found heavy marijuana use is strongly linked to a 325% increased risk of oral cancer.

Studies like these should matter to Arkansans, because marijuana industry insiders worked unsuccessfully to expand marijuana in Arkansas via the state’s ballot initiative process in 2022 and 2024. Fortunately, neither of those measures passed.

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.

READ MORE