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.