Smart Approaches to Marijuana

Preventing another Big Tobacco. Science-first marijuana policy. NYT: the “well-coordinated opposition.” All other drugs: @GoodDrugPolicy

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"Mom, I just want you to know you were right. About the marijuana."

Johnny Stack told his mother this three days before he died by suicide at 19.

Watch Laura's full story in THC INC, free on YouTube link below.

If you're struggling, call or text 988.

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Regulated. Kept away from kids. Drug dealers gone.

Every promise of legalization, broken. What we got instead is Big Tobacco 2.0, selling THC at up to 99% potency.

@LukeNiforatos laid it out on Fox News @ Night.

[Luke Niforatos @LukeNiforatos]

I joined @tracegallagher on @FoxNews late last night to talk about Massachusetts' historic upcoming vote to repeal recreational marijuana sales:

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

FRIDAY FACT: Nearly half of adults who use marijuana and alcohol use them at the same time. Among adults with marijuana addiction, it's as high as 82%.

Remember the legalization pitch? "It's safer than alcohol. People will switch."

They didn't switch. They added.

https://t.co/jrze8ZUKDJ

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"I'd like to keep my brain while I have it."

Randy left that voicemail asking his dad for help getting sober. Then, one night in July, he texted his mom: "I'm sorry. I love you. Please tell Dad the same."

His parents didn't see it until morning. They lost him to suicide.

Their story is in THC INC. Watch free: https://t.co/Wj9Bt6TkbY

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

The Boston Globe backed commercial marijuana in 2016. Ten years later, its editorial board says:

"Marijuana use has been tied to psychosis, severe vomiting, and a risk of dependence."

"Since legalization, the number of cannabis-related emergency room visits by children and teenagers has increased."

When even the paper that cheered it on admits the harm, the debate is over.

https://t.co/7AzKZilV3q

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Vancouver built its reputation on "harm reduction." Now its voters have had enough.

68.6% said yes to stronger laws against open-air hard drug use. 68% said yes to a secure facility with 100+ involuntary care beds.

https://t.co/egzze6731p

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

In 2000, cannabis resin seized in Denmark averaged 8.3% THC. By 2022: 31.2%.

Over the same 23 years, higher potency was linked to more cannabis-induced psychosis, more first-time treatment for cannabis problems, and more people with both schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder.

New study in Psychological Medicine: https://t.co/Qgqs64pGcK

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"I feel like they spray their marijuana with extra THC to make it more potent."

He bought it at a Massachusetts dispensary. That night, his mom watched him have a psychotic break.

Hear her story on Fortitude, the Parent Action Network podcast: https://t.co/H83wglUSTN

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Starting today, Delaware liquor stores can sell THC drinks with up to 10 mg a can.

In 51 days, Congress's 0.4 mg limit on hemp THC products takes effect. Meanwhile the National Restaurant Association is lobbying to keep THC drinks legal.

Big Alcohol and Big Weed, same shelf.

https://t.co/4vIcaEdfyZ

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

After Massachusetts opened marijuana stores, ER visits for cannabis intoxication or poisoning jumped more than 4x for kids 0 to 5. For kids 6 to 12, more than 7x.

Maybe that's why almost 100,000 Massachusetts residents signed to put marijuana sales back on the ballot.

https://t.co/M5Oupf1q29

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"Don't ever do that again, because that will destroy that brilliant mind of yours."

Johnny Stack was 14 when he told his parents about the weed at his first high school party. They thought kids will be kids.

It was the beginning of a 5-year battle.

Send this to a parent who thinks it's just a phase.

Watch THC INC free: https://t.co/Wj9Bt6TkbY

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Colorado sold voters on tested, regulated weed.

Its own state auditor just found 41,000 marijuana harvest batches never got a contaminant test in 2025 alone. Some businesses went five years without an inspection.

"As a result, there is an increased risk that marijuana products sold in Colorado may have contaminants or that the potency listed on the labels is inaccurate."

12 years into legalization. Send this to someone who thinks legal means safe.

https://t.co/7bGmapvUfu

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

14 to 111.

In 2017, Texas recorded 14 kratom and 7-OH deaths. In the first eight months of 2026, the state has already counted 111.

Federal health officials call 7-OH "gas station heroin." It's still on the shelves.

https://t.co/yEPt20n957

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"What kind of person would invest in something that killed American kids?"

@TuckerCarlson went after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) over his stake in a kratom company. The New York Times reported Mullin's investment was worth as much as $1 million and that he pushed health officials to pull kratom warnings off the FDA website.

https://t.co/zPTLlkw0UQ

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Would you sign a surgery consent form that said, "Risk of heart attack: up 46%"?

If you use marijuana, you might have already signed it.

A new review presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists' annual meeting pooled 5 studies and 44,312 surgical patients. Marijuana users had a 46% higher risk of a heart attack during or shortly after surgery.

"This is not about judgment; it is about safety." Dr. Nader Nader, University at Buffalo

Before you go under, tell your anesthesiologist.

https://t.co/54utt4rrsw

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Think pot helps you sleep? The science says otherwise.

Northwestern researchers followed 1,266 adults for nearly 35 years. More lifetime marijuana use was tied to more interrupted sleep and more time awake at night. Recent users had worse sleep efficiency, and most of them didn't even notice.

"Our data do not support the belief that cannabis is helpful as a sleep aid." Dr. Mercedes Carnethon, Northwestern

https://t.co/OoyTTfxQZ6

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

"Herbal does not mean safe."

Dayna McDonald lost her 20-year-old son, Cade, to mitragynine toxicity. Mitragynine is the main compound in kratom. His twin brother needed treatment for severe withdrawal.

Her plea moved Leon County, Florida, commissioners to vote unanimously to draft a kratom ban.

https://t.co/dKcGtr4G9G

[Smart Approaches to Marijuana @learnaboutsam]

Over the weekend, @LukeNiforatos co-founder of @GoodDrugPolicy took on Mac Haddow, a lead lobbyist for the American Kratom Association on Newsmax America Right Now:

"This is actually a situation where this is a lot like OxyContin. We have an industry that is out there lying about its drug."

@tom_basile

https://t.co/NXHSG7lmtr

[NEWSMAX @NEWSMAX]

BAN IT ALL?: Is natural kratom different from concentrated derivatives? Mac Haddow and Luke Niforatos debate the risks and the proper government response. @LukeNiforatos @Tom_Basile