The “harmless” marijuana myth is going up in smoke as research reveals its devastating links to heart attacks, psychosis, and a wave of child poisonings that should have every parent terrified
At a Glance
- Scientific evidence increasingly links regular cannabis use to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and severe mental illnesses like psychosis.
- The THC potency of modern marijuana has skyrocketed, making today’s products far more dangerous than those of the past.
- Accidental poisonings of children from cannabis “edibles” have surged in states that have legalized the drug.
- The promises of legalization, such as massive tax revenues and the elimination of the black market, have largely failed to materialize.
The Harsh Reality Behind the Smoke Screen
The “peace and love” narrative that pro-legalization advocates pushed for decades is being systematically dismantled by hard science. What was sold to the public as a “harmless herb” is now being exposed as a dangerous substance with devastating health consequences. A growing body of research has established clear links between cannabis use and an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and severe psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.
One recent study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that daily cannabis use was associated with a 25% increased likelihood of heart attack and a 42% increased likelihood of stroke. The “harmless plant” narrative is a dangerous lie.
A Threat to Children
Perhaps the most alarming consequence of legalization is the threat to children. Today’s marijuana is not the low-potency weed of the 1960s. As noted by researchers at Yale School of Medicine, the average THC content in cannabis has skyrocketed from around 4% in 1995 to over 17% today, with some “edible” products containing dangerously high concentrations.
These products, often designed to look like candy and gummies, have led to a terrifying surge in accidental child poisonings. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that from 2017 to 2021, as more states legalized, reported cases of young children accidentally consuming cannabis edibles increased by a staggering 1,375%.
The Failed Promises of Legalization
The great progressive experiment in marijuana legalization has been a resounding failure. The promises of a massive tax revenue windfall and the elimination of the illegal drug market have proven to be a fantasy. While states have collected some tax revenue, it has often been a fraction of what was projected and has failed to cover the increased societal costs, including healthcare and law enforcement.
Furthermore, high taxes and regulations on the legal market have allowed the black market to continue to thrive, selling cheaper, unregulated, and often more dangerous products.
The truth about the dangers of today’s high-potency marijuana is becoming impossible to ignore. As noted in a Fox News opinion piece, critics like author Alex Berenson, who were once dismissed as “alarmists” for warning about the links between marijuana and mental illness, are now being vindicated by the data. The “safe and legal” marijuana movement promised a progressive paradise and has delivered a public health crisis instead.
