The New York Times has recently shifted its stance on the dangers of recreational marijuana, moving from cautious reporting on emerging risks to a much firmer acknowledgment of widespread harm as legalization spreads across the country.
In October 2024, the Times published an investigative piece titled “As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Risks”. It explained how high-potency THC products and frequent consumption were causing addiction, psychosis and severe issues like intense vomiting. Doctors described alarming cases, including teens with heavy daily dependence and adults experiencing paranoia or delusions. The article estimated that millions showed signs of cannabis use disorder, but it emphasized that most users avoided major trouble. The tone focused on building awareness rather than demanding policy changes.
By early 2026, the Times took a harder line. On February 9, an editorial declared that America has a “marijuana problem”, pointing to about 18 million near-daily users and addiction rates similar to those for alcohol. It reported 2.8 million annual cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, rising hospital admissions for psychosis and broader harms such as impaired driving.
A follow-up opinion piece on February 10, titled “Marijuana Is Everywhere. That’s a Problem.”, reinforced these points, noting sharp increases in use, addiction and related illnesses that contradict earlier optimistic views.
Additional 2025 coverage included warnings about heart problems in an article on “Marijuana’s Links to Heart Attack and Stroke Are Becoming Clearer” and risks during pregnancy in “Pregnant Women Should Not Use Cannabis, New Medical Guidelines Say”.
The New York Times now urges stronger regulations to address these issues while preserving legalization. This evolution reflects the real-world impact of legalization in 24 states plus D.C., where easier access and stronger products have amplified the dangers. Last year President Trump publicly supported the Florida ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, which led me to write a commentary where I exposed the harms that legalized recreational marijuana caused in Colorado. As a former resident of Colorado and one of the reasons we fled the state and moved to Florida, I wanted to highlight those consequences. The dark side of legalization of recreational marijuana
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