Tag Archives: Alex Berenson

Mental Health, Politics, Violence

More Reefer Madness in Florida?

On March 29,  a Florida man stabbed his parents during a mental episode following vape pen use.  The description of his behavior suggests that Alexander Figueroa was in the throes of a cannabis-induced psychosis. 

The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 1, allowing for the legalization of marijuana.  Governor DeSantis correctly states it would diminish the quality of life in Florida, but the state of mental health and public safety should be the biggest concern. 

Floridians have experienced many cases of“Reefer Madness” over the years, and a ballot to legalize marijuana will give residents the chance to vote on further normalization of this drug.  This article is the second in a series of explaining outstanding episodes of “Reefer Madness.”   Read Ten Years After the Deaths of Levy Thamba and Kristine Kirk, part 1

Parkland Shooter Blamed Marijuana for his Actions

Nikolas Cruz killed 17 students and injured 17, at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, on Valentine’s Day, 2018. In his initial police interview, he confessed “that he had used a lot of marijuana and had taken a lot of the prescription tranquilizer Xanax.”   He also talked about “hearing voices.” Continue reading More Reefer Madness in Florida? →

Reviews

Smokescreen and The Dangerous Truth about Today’s Marijuana

In January, 2014, recreational marijuana stores opened in Colorado. We formed Parents Opposed to Pot in mid-2014, “Bursting the Bubble of Marijuana Hype.” In 2014, Johnny Stack first used marijuana.  He died by suicide only 5 years later, a victim of mental illness caused by high-potency marijuana.  His mother, Laura Stack, traces how it happened in “The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana.”

Laura Stack, professional speaker, author and founder of Productivity Pro, wrote the book to warn parents about today’s marijuana.   She formed the non-profit, Johnny’s Ambassadors, and started the annual “Stop Dabbing” Walk in September. Continue reading Smokescreen and The Dangerous Truth about Today’s Marijuana →

News Articles, Washington

Washington legislators propose curb on high potency marijuana concentrates

A bipartisan group of 22 Washington state legislators introduced a bill to curb the potency of marijuana concentrates.

Citing concerns about the connection between cannabis and psychosis, the lawmakers want to slash the potency of cannabis products, limiting THC levels to no more than 10%.    The ban would be limited, because it  doesn’t cover products sold as “medical.”

House Bill 2546, would outlaw the vast majority of state-licensed vape cartridges, dabs, wax, extracts and other concentrates. These products account for nearly 40% of state-regulated marijuana sales in 2019. 

In Washington, as in Colorado, typical strains of raw cannabis flower average around 20% THC. However, this bill only applies to extracts, and it would still allow the high-potency raw marijuana.

Hamza Warsame, a Seattle teen, jumped 6 stories to his death after smoking pot for the first time.  An older friend purchased the high-potency marijuana at a legal pot shop.  Investigators on the case called the 16-year-old’s death an accident, not a crime.  

In 2016, Colorado citizens introduced a ballot to cap the THC at 16%.   The industry objected and used hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy off the petitioners of this sensible public safety suggestion. 

Alex Berenson’s concerns about marijuana and psychosis

A year ago, writer Alex Berenson published Tell Your Children the Truth about Marijuana, Mental Illness and Violence.   The book will become available in paperback on February 18, 2020.

USA Today has published a provocative series on the links between marijuana and psychosis, as well as the problems related to vaping THC.   Although Washington did not ban vaping products, this bill would affect marijuana vapes.

Editorial

Alex Berenson editorial suggests parents step up to the plate

This was supposed to be the year full cannabis legalization in the U.S. moved much closer to being a reality.  Instead it has been a disaster for advocates.  Although Illinois legalized recreational use on the final day of its legislative schedule, a half-dozen other deep-blue states that were expected to legalize failed to follow — including New York.

Advocates want to believe legalization on their terms, with few restrictions on marketing and limits potentially as low as 18, remains inevitable.  Polls show that between 62% and 66%of Americans support legalization.  But cannabis supporters are wrong, and the pushback against marijuana has only begun.

Why?  Because teen use is on the rise.  And the experience of the 1970s — the last time cannabis advocates believed they might win full national acceptance — shows that the strongest voices against cannabis use aren’t police officers or even physicians.  They’re parents. …As teenage use of cannabis exploded during the 1970s, many parents became deeply concerned. The drug seemed to damage their children’s motivation, memory and grades. …

Not coincidentally, in states where legalization failed this year, wealthier suburban lawmakers proved a crucial political stumbling block.  Because of the cost of vaping, the habit seems to be more attractive to upper-middle class kids, and their parents are nw seeing marijuana’s real risks up close.  As that knowledge spreads, the media is likely to take a more skeptical stance, and national support for legalization will shrink.  

Alex Berenson, The Wall Street Journal   

As published in the Chicago Tribune, July 3, 2019  

Alex Berenson is the author of Tell Your Children the Truth about Marijuana, Mental Health and Violence and 12 other books.