Category: Marijuana

California Authorities Shut Down Four Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries in Major Raid

California authorities shut down four illegal marijuana dispensaries and arrested nine people in a coordinated raid that seized hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office led the February 12 operation in Rosamond, California, working with multiple state and federal agencies.

Officers seized 330 pounds of processed marijuana, 212 pounds of THC edibles, 324 pounds of THC concentrates, over 3,000 vape cartridges, and 46 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and edibles.

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana legalization in California and elsewhere has actually emboldened drug cartels and contributed to the spread of illegal marijuana on the black market.

California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis since 2022. In Maine, authorities have said there are hundreds of illegal growing operations connected to Chinese organized crime groups. Oklahoma’s lax marijuana laws have created similar issues, with law enforcement alleging that 40% of America’s black market marijuana has come from legal grow sites in Oklahoma. And Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate marijuana from these states.

Despite promises of regulation, oversight, and tax revenue, states that have legalized marijuana still battle organized crime, black market operations, and public safety threats.

Arkansans should remember all of this when it comes to any proposals to expand marijuana. Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Revisiting Marijuana’s Mental Health Crisis

Marijuana legalization is creating a mental health emergency among America’s most vulnerable populations.

A troubling study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that cannabis use among people with a history of psychosis “sharply increased” in states where recreational marijuana was legalized. The increase in prior 30-day use was three times higher than in the general population.

This is especially alarming because high-potency marijuana can trigger serious mental health problems.

Another study from Massachusetts General Hospital showed teen psychiatric emergencies spiked after marijuana commercialization began in the state. Teen marijuana use jumped from 5% to 17.3% in psychiatric emergency cases, while cannabis-related disorders among teens increased from 3.2% to 12.1%.

Today’s marijuana is not the same drug from decades past. Modern marijuana — and the drugs and extracts made from it — is far more dangerous. High-potency marijuana can contain 15% to 30% THC, sometimes even 60% THC, compared to just 3% THC in marijuana from the 1960s.

Arkansans should learn from experiences in other states when it comes to marijuana’s legalization and expansion.

All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Oklahoma Authorities Seize Illicit Marijuana in Raid

Last week the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Marijuana Enforcement Teams seized 10,656 illicit marijuana plants and 296 pounds of processed marijuana at an illegal grow site.

News outlets report that the operation involved joint efforts from several local, state, and federal agencies — including the DEA and ICE.

There is evidence that Oklahoma’s lax marijuana laws have actually emboldened drug cartels and contributed to the spread of illegal marijuana on the black market.

Authorities have raided illicit grow sites in Oklahoma in the past, and Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate illegal marijuana from Oklahoma.

There is also evidence that legal marijuana in Oklahoma is often diverted to the black market. Law enforcement around the country alleges 40% of America’s black market marijuana has come from legal grow sites in Oklahoma. Over a twelve-month period, authorities say more than 85 million pounds of marijuana in Oklahoma went unaccounted for—meaning tens of millions of pounds of marijuana grown legally may have been sold illegally on the black market in just one year.

Oklahoma isn’t the only state dealing with unintended consequences from legalization. California has seized more than $1.2 billion in illegal cannabis since 2022. In Maine, authorities have said there are hundreds of illegal growing operations connected to Chinese organized crime groups. These operations often involve serious crimes like labor trafficking and wage theft.

All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE