“I hear stories all the time of the impacts of marijuana on people and really catastrophic impacts on them.” – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

A three-minute video from Truth On Weed highlights news stories covering families speaking out about the tragedy they have endured as a result of marijuana use. Their catastrophic stories are just one of the many fallouts of today’s high-potency THC marijuana being commercialized for recreational purposes.

• Marijuana use has doubled and daily use has quadrupled by users 12 and older in the last twenty years. (National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
• Substantial growth in marijuana use since 2008, particularly more intensive use. (Carnegie Mellow University)
• Marijuana has now surpassed alcohol in daily use for Americans. (Washington Post, AP)

The stories in this video are not isolated incidents.

• Cannabis use disorder is a rapidly growing addiction in the United States. (Psychology Today)
• Kate Appleman, Executive Vice President at PA-based Caron Treatment Centers: “At Caron, where patients who experienced THC-induced psychosis was once rare, it is now common among patients being referred.”
• “It’s just getting worse in terms of the number of kids who are being impacted by cannabis because the potency is so high.” Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding, Seattle Children’s Hospital

The experiment in other states with marijuana legalization will increase access to this dangerous drug, impacting youth and mental health.

• Youth use of marijuana increases in states experimenting with recreational legalization (Temple University). The experiment with legalization “is associated with risk factors for cannabis use disorder (CUD), including easier access to cannabis, stronger cannabis potency, greater variety of cannabis products, and exposure to cannabis advertising and sales.”
• “We can reasonably expect that, with its legalization, the prevalence of marijuana use among both adults and adolescents will increase in our state…heavy use results in higher rates of mental health conditions such as anxiety, and psychosis. ” Dr. Sheryl Ryan, Member, PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
• “Based on the experience of other states, we know that law enforcement resources, as well as public health and other governmental services, will be taxed with new call volume due to the nature of marijuana impairment and its relationship to criminality, including victimization, and mental health.” Florida Police Chiefs Association president Chief Charles Vazquez

As Pennsylvania begins budget hearings, may these stories highlight just some of the many harms that are exacerbated when the marijuana industry is unleashed to market and sell high-potency THC products in communities for recreational purposes. Any short-term revenue increase will be swallowed up by the many costs and long-term social and economic effects.

Contact your state Representative and Senator and ask them to oppose any effort to commercialize marijuana for recreational use. Visit www.pafamily.org and www.TruthOnWeed.com to stay informed about the topic and remain up to date on legislation.