Facts & Risks

Educate Your Family on Dangers of Marijuana Use

Marijuana use comes with real risks that can impact a person’s health and life.

Whether marijuana is smoked, vaped, or eaten, there are adverse effects associated with use in any form.

Studies have found marijuana is an addictive, harmful, and mind altering drug. It over-activates parts of the brain and negatively affects brain development. Marijuana leads to physical health problems, mental health problems, and risk of addiction.

With the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana throughout the United States, marijuana potency has increased exponentially. Concentrates are not the traditional joint of the past. Concentrates are highly potent, THC-rich forms of marijuana that can be vaped, dabbed, and used in edibles.

Exposure to high levels of THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes impairment, increases the risks of physical dependence and addiction. Higher doses of THC are more likely to produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis.

Arizona Parents: Do you need tips on how to talk to your child about the new recreational marijuana laws? Download these talking tips today.

Surgeon General Advisory

“This ain’t your mother’s marijuana… the marijuana of today is significantly more potent.”

– VADM Jerome Adams, the first Surgeon General Advisory on marijuana since 1982

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What do you know about marijuana

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Using marijuana can lead to a _________ point drop in IQ.

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How much THC can an edible have in it?

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Cannabis use is linked to an increased risk of ______________?

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______% of those who start using marijuana in their teens become addicted.

5 / 5

Kids are _____________ weed at alarming rates.

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Exit

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Almost 30% of teens have used marijuana - this is TOO many!

Latest Studies

A multi-case study on the connections between cannabis, tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical companies in legalized cannabis markets​​ ​​​| PubMed | 6/5/2025

Abstract
Background: As of 2024, cannabis legalization in Northern American countries has spurred industry growth, intersecting with alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals. This study examines the investments and employee movement between five cannabis companies and alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceutical companies in order to explore the connections between the industries. While these relationships may bolster cannabis businesses, they also pose risks such as profit-driven practices that could undermine public health protections.

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The Unequal Geography of Recreational Cannabis Retailers in the U.S.​​ ​​​| AJPM | 5/6/2025

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Although more U.S. states continue to legalize the sale of cannabis for recreational adult-use, little is known about the spatial distribution of cannabis retailers in relation to neighborhood characteristics. The objective of this study is to examine the presence or absence of cannabis retailers in census tracts in relation to measures of neighborhood advantage and disadvantage.

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Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use​​ ​​​| JAMA | 1/28/2025

Key Points
Question Are recent cannabis use and lifetime cannabis use associated with differences in brain function during cognitive tasks?

Findings In this cross-sectional study of 1003 young adults, heavy lifetime cannabis use was associated with lower brain activation during a working memory task; this association remained after removing individuals with recent cannabis use. These results were not explained by differences in demographic variables, age at first cannabis use, alcohol use, or nicotine use.

Meaning These findings suggest that cannabis use is associated with short- and long-term brain function outcomes, especially during working memory tasks.

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Increasing trends of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in youth: The grass is not always greener​​ ​​​| JPGN | 1/27/2025

Abstract
This study investigated trends in suspected cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)-related emergency department visits among youth (15–24 years old) in the United States between 2006 and 2020. Using data from the Nationwide Emergency Room Sample, over 55,000 suspected CHS-related visits were identified, with an average annual increase of 28.1% per year. This aligns with rising cannabis use and potency across the nation. Subjects in the western region, males, and those with public insurance were more likely to present with suspected CHS. These findings highlight the growing public health concern of CHS and emphasize the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers, particularly regarding the potential link between CHS and chronic cannabis use in youth. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and risk factors associated with CHS as well as the impact of cannabis public policy on health outcomes.

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The relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular disease: clearing the haze​​ ​​​| PubMed | 1/23/2025

Abstract
Cannabis has been consumed for centuries, but global regulatory changes over the past three decades have increased the availability and consumption of cannabis. Cannabinoids are touted to have therapeutic potential for many diseases and could be a replacement for opioids for analgesia and sedation. However, cannabinoids can cause substantial adverse cardiovascular events that would mitigate any potential benefit. The endocannabinoid system regulates mood, satiety and memory, and modulates the cardiovascular system. The link between cannabinoids and cardiovascular disease, which used to be limited to evidence from preclinical studies, case reports and case series, is now evident in epidemiological studies. Cannabinoids adversely affect the cardiovascular system, causing myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, arrhythmia and heart failure. The effects of novel cannabinoids are unknown, and synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to cause even more substantial harm than traditional cannabinoids. Therefore, with the increasing availability and use of cannabis, the acute and chronic effects of this drug are becoming apparent.

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Latest NEWS Commentary

Health Risks From Cannabis May Grow as Users Age​ ​| NYT | 6/2/2025

More older people are using cannabis products regularly, but research suggests their cannabis-related health problems are also on the rise.

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Marijuana hospital visits linked to dementia diagnosis within 5 years, study finds​ ​| CNN | 4/20/2025

Sunday is 420 day, when lovers of marijuana get together to celebrate their fondness for weed. Yet research shows that regular users of marijuana are at risk for serious conditions, including strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle.

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THC in marijuana has ‘skyrocketed’ and it’s a ‘major problem’: Dr. Marc Siegel ​| FOX News | 5/24/2024

Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss the study finding more Americans use marijuana daily than alcohol.

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High-potency marijuana highlights the risk of cannabis-induced psychiatric disorders ​| NBC | 4/24/2024

As more states legalize recreational cannabis products, there’s been greater consumer demand for more powerful weed, raising the possible of risk of psychiatric disorders.

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Weed Is Dangerous. Legalizing It Was a Mistake ​| The Free Press | 3/12/2024

For years, cannabis advocates claimed that legalizing recreational marijuana would benefit America. But more than a decade into the experiment, it’s clear that legalization has been nothing short of a disaster.

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