Marijuana Craze Sparks Regret Among Liberal Voices

Clear Facts

• The New York Times editorial board admitted this week that legalization of marijuana has led to far greater use than expected, with daily users now outnumbering those who drink alcohol daily.
• Research shows about 18 million Americans use marijuana daily, a sharp increase from past decades, and nearly one third of all users meet addiction criteria.
• Health issues such as addiction, schizophrenia, and absenteeism at work are rising, and critics argue that marijuana’s risks were downplayed during legalization efforts.

The New York Times editorial board has reversed its prior stance on marijuana, acknowledging that legalization has led to consequences more severe than previously predicted. Their own earlier claims, such as minimized addiction and health concerns, now appear unfounded.

“In our editorials, we described marijuana addiction and dependence as ‘relatively minor problems.’ Many advocates went further and claimed that marijuana was a harmless drug that might even bring net health benefits. They also said that legalization might not lead to greater use,” the board wrote.

Recent studies indicate marijuana dependence has spiked, particularly as more states adopt relaxed laws. The number of near-daily users surged from under one million in 1992 to approximately 18 million today.

“It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong. Legalization has led to much more use,” the editorial board conceded.

Government data, along with findings from Yale Medicine, show addiction has increased and young people are especially at risk. Notably, 30% of users now meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder.

“Despite the promises of the legalizers, federal data show that (just as the Times notes) legalization drives use, including youth use increases,” said Kevin Sabet, president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Heavy marijuana use has been linked to multiple health issues, including a newly identified syndrome causing vomiting and pain, as well as increased risk of schizophrenia in young men. Research also ties regular cannabis use to higher workplace absenteeism and traffic fatalities.

Sabet emphasized, “It’s not rocket science: If you make a powerful addictive drug easier to access (and send the signal that it’s OK to use in the process), more people are going to use it. That is what I and many other people who were aware of the danger warned would happen and it is precisely what did happen.”

As half the states permit marijuana in some form, critics are urging policymakers to focus on prevention and education, particularly for youth. They argue now is the time to prioritize awareness of marijuana’s dangers.

“And it’s beyond important to remember here what the Times piece truly reveals,” Sabet added. “Namely, that while people may disagree about policies and execution, they are now all agreed on the same set of facts. And those facts show beyond doubt that marijuana is dangerous, addictive, and creating havoc across America.”

Meanwhile, the federal government is considering reclassifying marijuana, with concerns that easing restrictions could further normalize its use. In December, President Trump opened the process to move marijuana to a Schedule III classification, despite opposition from dozens of organizations that argue it remains a high-risk drug.

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