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Public Health
&
Safety
Cannabis cultivation and use creates a number of public health and safety issues. Though many think of using cannabis as a choice that affects only them, this individual choice has consequences for whole communities. The articles below provide additional information on this issue.


Aug 26, 20233 min read
How Cartels Took Over California's Desert and Turned It to Lawless Land | Dawn Rowe
Note: Full video is no longer available; YouTube notes that the YouTube California Insider account has been terminated. Below is a...


Aug 16, 20231 min read
EVALI: epidemic of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury
In 2019 and 2020 nearly 3000 people were hospitalized with severe lung damage from vaping which became "known as the epidemic of...

Aug 14, 20231 min read
Marijuana Users Three Times More Likely to Develop Peripheral Artery Disease
A new study found that marijuana users are more than three times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD) than the general...


May 11, 20231 min read
Cannabis Genotoxicity - Damages DNA, Chromosomes
Cannabis, including CBD and marijuana is genotoxic, meaning it causes DNA or chromosomal damage. This damage can be passed down 3 or 4...


May 1, 20231 min read
Cannabidiol (CBD) – Potential Harms, Side Effects, and Unknowns
While CBD (cannabidiol) has been marketed as a treatment for many health issues, there is a lack of evidence to substantiate these...


Apr 29, 20231 min read
Pulmonary effects of vaping cannabidiol versus nicotine
Vaping of CBD is more inflammatory and more harmful to the lungs than vaping of nicotine. Read full article on Thorax Download PDF

Jan 30, 20231 min read
How Cartels Take Over Rural California
Short video on illegal marijuana grow operations in California and their connection to violent organized crime, human trafficking, and...


Oct 29, 20221 min read
Dangers of Marijuana Legalization
This video discusses the public health and safety dangers of legalizing and using marijuana. Creator: Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM)


Oct 15, 20221 min read
Position Statement on CBD - Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana
Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana take a stance on CBD outlining how it causes severe physical disease and dangerous safety risks....


Sep 17, 20221 min read
Cannabis, Cannabidiol, Cannabinoids, and Multigenerational Policy
Studies in the U.S. and Europe confirm that: 1) 46/62 (U.S.) and 90/95 (Europe) congenital anomalies have a causal relationship to...


Aug 30, 20221 min read
Marijuana Damages DNA And May Cause Cancer
Key findings: 1) Cannabis smoke has the potential to damage DNA and initiate the development of cancer. 2) "...because of its lower...


Jun 11, 20221 min read
Marijuana Smoke Contains Higher Levels Of Certain Toxins Than Tobacco Smoke
Key findings 1) Ammonia levels were found to be 20 times higher in marijuana smoke than in tobacco smoke. 2) Hydrogen cyanide, nitric...


Jun 4, 20221 min read
Report: Southern Oregon Hemp Testing Reveals Large Amounts Of Illicit Marijuana
Key Findings: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission reported that 54% of 212 (out of 335) farms licensed to grow hemp were found to...


Apr 17, 20221 min read
Delta-8-THC craze concerns chemists
Delta-8-THC is being synthesized from cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp. It is sold in gummies, vape products and other items, often...


Apr 17, 20221 min read
Soft Thinking Will Not Do with the Known Neurotoxin and Thalidomide-like Genotoxin Cannabis
In this submission to the UK Parliament by Dr. Albert Stuart Reece, Dr. Reece concludes, "the combined exponentiation of neurotoxicity,...


Feb 19, 20221 min read
Impact of recreational marijuana legalization on crime: Evidence from Oregon
Key Findings: "Results provide some evidence demonstrating a crime-exacerbating effect of recreational marijuana legalization, as...


Jan 10, 20221 min read
Cannabis in ALL FORMS takes a Weed Whacker to Your Chromosomes - with Dr. Stuart Reece
Highlights: Cannabis, including CBD and hemp is cancer-causing and destroys genes. Cannabis genotoxicity is not controversial. It is...


Dec 8, 20211 min read
Cancer-causing and genotoxic effects of cannabis and CBD
Dr. Stuart Reece discusses known health risks of cannabis, including CBD. These include: Cannabis is carcinogenic; there are more cancers...


Nov 6, 20211 min read
The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact
Key Findings: There are 47 pages of shocking findings as a result of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado. To name a few: "Since...


Sep 25, 20211 min read
Letter to FDA re: Dangers and Toxicity of Cannabis
Federal Register Submission Re: Re-Scheduling of Cannabinoids in USA - Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Related Arteriopathy...


Sep 15, 20211 min read
Chromosomal and genome toxicity of cannabis and CBD
This study of U.S. data shows that cannabinoid exposure meets criteria toward first Principal Components of five chromosomal birth...


Nov 22, 20201 min read
Self-reported Cannabidiol (CBD) Use for Conditions With Proven Therapies
Key Findings: This study thematically analyzed the content of the social media posts of a large group of self-identified CBD users so...


Sep 27, 20201 min read
Teens, young adults who vape more at risk for COVID-19
Excerpts: "According to the study, led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and published Tuesday in the...


Sep 27, 20201 min read
Air quality impacted by emissions from cannabis growing facilities
Cannabis grows emit butane and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) In this pilot study, scientists studied four cannabis grow...


Sep 27, 20201 min read
Toxicity and negative health effects of nanoparticles
Inorganic nanoparticles can be produced via chemical or physical processes. Chemical synthesis involves using chemical reagents (e.g....


Sep 27, 20201 min read
Toxicity of nanoparticles and public health risks
This report states that "many studies indicate that nanoparticles generally are more toxic when incorporated into the humnan body than...


Sep 20, 20201 min read
Risks of non-FDA approved CBD; public not well protected
Key Finding: Non-FDA approved CBD has many risks, and public protection is questionable, according to studies. The Journal of the...


Jul 27, 20201 min read
Cannabis odor travels 1500 yards (1 mile)
Cannabis smell travels 1500 yards (approximately 1 mile) or more. The plants create a sunk-like or sewer-like odor. Despite the fact that...


Jul 27, 20202 min read
Hash oil extraction causes explosions and other public safety risks
This is a safety guide for first responders addressing the dangers of hash oil extraction. Developed by Sgt. Pat Long, Thornton Police...


Jul 24, 20201 min read
Kaiser doesn't recommend using CBD
CBDs are not regulated or evaluated by the FDA or any government agency. It's not possible to ensure CBDs are pure. The FDA has tested...


Jul 16, 20201 min read
Cannabis as pig food
Farmers in Seattle are experimenting with feeding cannabis to their pigs. Author: Lydia Kariuki RN Read Full Article Download PDF


Jul 15, 20201 min read
Hazards of indoor marijuana grows
Indoor cannabis growhouses pose serious risk for firefighters and the surrounding community and lead to injury and death. Hazards include...


Jun 30, 20201 min read
Cannabis exposure causes tachycardia, spasms / tremors (neuroexcitation), and neurotoxicity
- Neurotoxicty is common after acute exposure to cannabis. -Among all ages, tachycardia and neuroexcitation (spasms or tremors) were more...


Jun 10, 20201 min read
Fatal Car Accidents Involving Marijuana Have Tripled in US
Excerpts: "Marijuana is the most common drug involved in fatal car accidents, contributing to 12 percent of 2010 crashes compared with 4...


Jun 10, 20201 min read
Marijuana most common drug found in fatal car accidents in Massachusetts
Excerpts: "Marijuana was the most prevalent drug found in drivers involved in fatal Massachusetts crashes from 2013 to 2017." Marijuana...


Jun 7, 20201 min read
2nd- & 3rd-hand marijuana smoke is harmful to non-users
Article highlights: Third-hand smoke includes “residue from smoke that remains on walls, carpets, furniture, and other surfaces long...


May 22, 20201 min read
Most U.S. marijuana too potent for pain relief
Summary: Most marijuana being purchased in the U.S. for neuropathic pain is too potent to be effective. Typically containing two to three...


May 22, 20201 min read
“Medical” Marijuana Too Potent to Be Useful for Pain
Summary: A study published in PLOS One (a peer reviewed journal from the Public Library of Science) concludes that THC concentrations in...


May 22, 20201 min read
Negative health and safety effects of cannabis in Colorado
Legalized Cannabis in Colorado Emergency Departments: A Cautionary Review of Negative Health and Safety Effects Summary: Cannabis...


Apr 26, 20201 min read
Debunking the Myth that Marijuana is Safe
This resource from the SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) website debunks common misinformation about marijuana that contributes to the...


Apr 22, 20201 min read
Smoking weed and coronavirus: Even occasional use raises risk of Covid-19 complications
Smoking cannabis causes inflammation of the lungs. This makes the lungs more susceptible to infection and other respiratory...


Apr 21, 20201 min read
American Lung Association Cautions Against Smoking Marijuana
The American Lung Association cautions the public against smoking marijuana because of the risks it poses to the lungs. Marijuana can...


Apr 21, 20201 min read
People who smoke or vape are at higher risk for COVID-19, according to NIDA
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse the coronavirus could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or...


Apr 15, 20201 min read
Living near marijuana grow can be unhealthy experience
A marijuana grow radically changed the health and safety conditions in this Oregon community. Read the Register-Guard article


Apr 10, 20201 min read
Vaping Residue Can Transfer Between Rooms
This study focuses on nicotine and e-cigarette chemicals, but regardless the article illustrates how thirdhand smoke / vape exposure can...


Apr 10, 20201 min read
Medical Marijuana Cultivation In California's Central Valley Poses Serious Risk to Public Health
This article & video highlight public health risks associated with cannabis cultivation in California, as well as inadequate regulation...


Apr 10, 20201 min read
Indoor pot grows can result in respiratory diseases, carbon monoxide production, and more
This article discusses the health dangers of indoor pot grows and how residents, neighbors, etc. can be exposed. Highlights: "The study...


Apr 10, 20201 min read
Smokers and Vapers May Be at Greater Risk for COVID-19
Smoking and vaping irritate the lungs and may make smokers/vapers more susceptible to COVID-19. Cigarette smoking has been shown to...


Apr 10, 20201 min read
From SAM: COVID-19 and Marijuana
A SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) discusses why those who smoke and vape marijuana are more vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition to...

Apr 10, 20201 min read
Higher Indoor CO2 Levels: Good for Growing Cannabis, Bad for Human Cognition
A Harvard School of Public Health study found higher CO2 levels used to grow Cannabis have a direct and negative impact on human...
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