On Wednesday, SAM federal and state policy associate Iman Lohrasbi gave stellar testimony before the Georgia General Assembly on marijuana, hemp, and medical cannabis.
You can watch the whole thing here:
And you can read some data highlights below . . .
Potency and Public Health Risks
- Modern marijuana is up to 30× more potent than “Woodstock weed” of the 1970s.
- CDC data says ~30% of users develop marijuana use disorder.
- Health risks include psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation.
- Daily marijuana use increases risk of heart attack (25%) and stroke (42%).
Adolescent Impact
- Adolescent use linked to permanent IQ loss (up to 8 points), increased depression and suicidality.
- Columbia study shows teens using marijuana are four times more likely to develop depression.
Legalization Consequences in Colorado
- 138% increase in traffic deaths involving THC-positive drivers.
- Most common drug in suicide toxicology reports for 10–19-year-olds is marijuana.
- Neighborhoods near dispensaries see up to 85 more property crimes annually.
Delta-8 THC and Intoxicating Hemp
- Loophole in 2018 Farm Bill enabled sales of kid-targeted THC edibles (gummies, chocolates).
- FDA reports: Delta-8 causes hallucinations, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, and even death.
- 10,000+ poison control cases (2021–2025), including a child fatality in Virginia.
Abuse of Medical Programs
- In Pennsylvania, doctors reportedly issue 10,000+ medical marijuana cards annually.
- In Colorado, 83% of dispensaries recommend marijuana to pregnant women.
- 81% of medical users also use marijuana recreationally.