Andrew Hyatt, Harvard Medical School instructor and lead author Works out to additional 7 million to 8 million people using cannabis Approximately 2 million additional people vaping nicotine Psychiatrist Hyatt warns about substance use and dependence potential The health concerns Expert cites marijuana potency and accessibility: Rapidly rising potency of cannabis and its ease of use in vape form Potential to increase substance use and dependence according to Hyatt While many people can use these substances without harm Need vigilance for individuals predisposed to problematic substance use and mental illness The legalization stalemate Policy momentum has slowed significantly: Marijuana legalization efforts have stalled under Trump administration States pondering lagging tax revenues and growing health concerns No states have legalized recreational marijuana since 2023 President Trump proved unwilling to lift federal ban The state revenue pressures Officials raising taxes to address budget gaps: Ohio, Maryland and Michigan moved to raise dispensary taxes Tax increases designed to plug state budget gaps Montana Legislature passed bill in April limiting cannabis gummy content State blamed psychoactive gummies for poisoning dozens of underage children The veteran health study JAMA research links legalization to opioid problems: JAMA Health Forum study published in June Linked state marijuana laws to increased opioid addiction in VA patients Sharpest increases among middle-aged and older men in chronic pain Addiction increases occurred over time following legalization The current legal landscape Most Americans live in states with some form of legal marijuana: 39 states have legalized medical marijuana since 1996 24 states have allowed recreational cannabis since 2012 Colorado and Washington became first recreational states in 2012 Various forms of cannabis now available in majority of states The potency warnings Experts emphasize dramatically stronger marijuana: Keith Humphreys, Stanford University psychologist and addiction researcher Today the drug is much stronger and almost half of users consume it every day We should be more worried about increases according to Humphreys Average potency jumped from 1-3% THC in 1970s to 18-23% today The addiction pathway concerns Anti-marijuana advocate sees linked substance use: Kevin Sabet, founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Said marijuana and nicotine are two inextricably linked addiction pathways Nicotine is itself a highly addictive chemical with well-documented harms Any vaping rise primes a new generation for broader substance use The advocate response Marijuana supporter calls for education over panic: Jerry Joyner, Texas-based marijuana advocate and Weed & Whiskey podcast host The smart move now is education, not panic Lets focus on harm reduction and responsible use, not scare tactics Calls study findings indication of adjustment period rather than an epidemic Read more: Millions more using marijuana, nicotine vapes after legalization, study finds This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times' AI News Desk team
Haywood, James Steward, and J
To control the weeds, we headed to the patch with our hoes, rusty blades hand-sharpened and gleaming
In addition, it provides new funds to build childcare centers and provides funds to reduce out-of-pocket childcare expenses for military families
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4) Operational Ease & Cost Control Predictable wholesale reorder cadence matched to demand forecasts
