🌎 Every Brain Matters 🧠

🎥 This eye-opening video from Every Brain Matters explores the hidden costs Colorado is dealing with after legalizing marijuana—beyond just tax dollars and business profits. It calls attention to the real impacts on families, health, and communities and asks: Is legalization worth it? Watch & share to spread awareness. youtu.be/GvhtWGW9czg?si…

🎥 Colorado’s Cannabis Crisis: Profit or Loss? What’s really happening in Colorado since marijuana legalization? In Colorado, marijuana has become one of the most commonly detected substances in youth suicide toxicology reports—with studies showing it has been the leading drug found among teens ages 15–19 in some years. This powerful documentary from Every Brain Matters takes a closer look at the real impacts on mental health, youth, and communities. 👉 Watch now: youtu.be/GvhtWGW9czg?si… #everybrainmatters #CannabisCrisis #MentalHealthAwarenes #Colorado

@TheDankInformer Actually, Big Cannabis is a gateway to pharmaceutical drugs. This marijuana movement is incentivizing and making big Pharma richer..

@EveryBrainMatt The Endocannabinoid System and cannabinoid medicine endangers the Big Pharma establishment! The cannabis plant’s flower is rich in therapeutic cannabinoids like THC and CBD, yet it is illegal as marijuana But Big Pharma can sell it as Dronabinol (THC) and Epidiolex (CBD)? 🤡🌎

Summary of the abstract: Cannabis is widely used by people with mental health conditions, often to manage symptoms, but current evidence does not support it as an effective treatment. Research on benefits is limited and uncertain. THC-dominant cannabis generally does not improve PTSD symptoms and lacks strong evidence for helping anxiety, depression, or ADHD. There is some low-quality evidence that cannabidiol (CBD) alone may help reduce anxiety. At the same time, cannabis—especially THC-heavy forms—poses significant mental health risks, including worsening bipolar symptoms, increasing psychosis risk, and contributing to cannabis use disorder (which affects about 30% of users). Risks are particularly high for adolescents and young adults, including higher chances of psychosis and self-harm. Overall, cannabis should be avoided in high-risk groups (e.g., youth, people with bipolar or psychotic disorders, pregnant individuals, and those prone to substance use disorders). Clinicians are encouraged to discuss cannabis use with patients because it is common and can meaningfully affect mental health. 🔗: jamanetwork.com/journals/jamai…

NEW STUDY: No evidence to suggest medicinal cannabis is effective for depression, anxiety or PTSD A landmark Lancet Psychiatry paper published today – the largest-ever review of the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids across a range of mental health conditions – found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective in treating anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-… eurekalert.org/news-releases/…

New research published in Annals of Health Research raises important concerns about cannabis use during pregnancy. In a controlled study, prenatal exposure to THC and CBD was associated with reduced fetal weight and poorer placental health — even when both compounds were combined. As cannabis becomes more widely used, understanding the potential risks during pregnancy is critical for informed decision-making and public health awareness. Learn more here: annalsofhealthresearch.com/index.php/ahr/… #PregnancyHealth #MaternalHealth #CannabisRisks #PublicHealth #EveryBrainMatters

Cannabis-induced psychosis is real and is a crisis for self-harm and harming others. resource: everybrainmatters.org/what-is-cannab…

@lashrecseaird @tomangell Awe… Senator, there is nothing safe about marijuana or commercializing it.

“This reflects months of collaboration and negotiation…Many parties did not get everything they asked for, but everyone got what they needed to legally and safely operate a marketplace.”marijuanamoment.net/virginia-lawma…

🧠 New Research: Cannabis Abstinence and PTSD Symptoms A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry explored the effects of extended cannabis abstinence in individuals living with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD). Researchers found that participants who maintained 12 weeks of verified cannabis abstinence experienced significantly greater reductions in PTSD symptom severity and overall symptom count compared with those who continued using cannabis.  The findings challenge the common belief that cannabis helps manage PTSD symptoms. Instead, the study suggests that continued cannabis use may hinder recovery, while abstinence may support improvements in symptoms such as avoidance, negative mood, cognition, and hyperarousal.  These results highlight the importance of screening for cannabis use and integrating substance-use treatment into PTSD care to support better mental health outcomes. 🔗 Learn more about the research:
psychiatrist.com/jcp/effects-ex… #MentalHealthResearch #PTSD #CannabisUseDisorder #PublicHealth

🚨 What is Cannabis Use Disorder? Many people believe marijuana is harmless—but for some, it can lead to Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). This condition occurs when someone continues using cannabis despite serious negative effects on their health, relationships, or daily life. CUD can include symptoms like cravings, difficulty cutting back, withdrawal symptoms, and prioritizing cannabis over responsibilities like work, school, or family. Research suggests about 30% of people who use marijuana may develop some degree of cannabis use disorder, and the risk is even higher for those who begin using at a young age. 💡 Education and awareness are key. Learn more about the signs, risks, and science behind Cannabis Use Disorder: everybrainmatters.org/education-abou… #everybrainmatters #addictionawareness #PublicHealth #prevention #brainhealth

@medicalgrower42 The death by #Cannabis takes longer, with a severe progression of suffering and impact on family. It's the kind of death you wish to nobody, except maybe to your archenemy. #StonerFam #WeedLovers #420fam #prevention #addiction #psychosis #MentalHealth #family @EveryBrainMatt

Thirty-six years ago I debated cannabis legalization on college campuses with the late Vince Bugliosi, the prosecutor who convicted the Manson family. It was before either of us had written books about the JFK assassination. I argued against legalization, citing early studies suggesting long-term neurological and behavioral risks, especially for adolescents. Bugliosi took the opposite view. Prohibition never works, he contended. Legalize marijuana — and most other drugs — and regulate them instead. The science has moved significantly since then. New research increasingly links even relatively low levels of cannabis use during adolescence to higher risks of psychiatric disorders and poorer academic performance. Today’s teens also have far easier access to cannabis that is exponentially more potent than anything circulating when that debate took place. Arguments about legalization often focus on criminal justice or personal freedom. But the emerging scientific evidence suggests the real long-term question may be about adolescent brain development and mental health. Paywall free 🔗wsj.com/health/wellnes…

Day 4 at the UN Commision on Narcotic Drugs. There's a radical element of NGOs funded by George Soros here who's sole purpose is to legalize drugs. Imagine being able to go to Walmart and buy fentanyl. That's what they want. It's disqualifying. @ONDCP @SaraCarterDC @elonmusk 🧵

Many people use medical marijuana for chronic pain, sleep, and depression. But new research in JAMA says it may not really work. Instead, it may cause new health problems. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addict…

Families need clear information and trusted resources to support prevention and recovery. Our Family Recovery Education Resource Hub includes articles, research, and tools to help families understand the effects of marijuana and support loved ones. Learn more and explore the resources here: 🔗 everybrainmatters.org/family-recover… #EveryBrainMatters #FamilyRecovery #PreventionEducation #HealthyBrains #ParentResources

Families everywhere are navigating the real and often hidden impacts of today’s potent marijuana and drug culture—and no one should have to face those challenges alone. Join us for the Every Brain Matters Monthly Speakers Meeting featuring Dr. Kristen Gilliland, a scientist, educator, and powerful advocate for adolescent brain health. After losing her son Anders following years of mental health struggles linked to early cannabis use, Dr. Gilliland transformed her grief into a mission to educate families and communities about protecting young brains and preventing substance-related harm. () These monthly meetings are more than just presentations—they are a space for science, lived experience, and hope. Together we learn about the real impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis, share insights, and support one another as families and communities seeking better outcomes for our youth. () 🗓 March 11 | 7:00–8:00 PM (CDT) 💻 Live on Zoom 🎤 Includes Q&A with the speaker Whether you are a parent, educator, professional, or community member, this conversation matters. 👉 Register here: everybrainmatters.org/event/monthly-… Let’s learn, connect, and work together to protect the next generation. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #BrainHealth #FamilyRecovery #Prevention everybrainmatters.org/event/monthly-…

A major new longitudinal study published in JAMA Health Forum followed more than 463,000 adolescents and found that cannabis use was associated with double the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders, as well as increased risk for depression and anxiety. Notably, cannabis use preceded psychiatric diagnoses by nearly two years on average—and the elevated risk remained even after accounting for prior mental health conditions. This is critical information for parents, educators, and young people. Awareness matters. Prevention matters. Read the full study here: jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-… #MentalHealth #AdolescentHealth #CannabisRisks #PublicHealth #EveryBrainMatters

@ONDCP is thrilled to be in Vienna, Austria representing the United States! Drug Czar @saracarterdc is working with international partners at the UN to strengthen global cooperation against illicit drugs, synthetic opioids, and trafficking networks. Under @POTUS' leadership, we're building safer communities worldwide. #Drugczar

Families across our nation are facing heartbreaking consequences from the growing marijuana and mental health crises. Lives are being changed forever, and too many parents and communities feel alone in their fight. At Every Brain Matters, we believe every brain matters — and we are urgently committed to advancing policies that protect our children, families, and communities from the harms of marijuana. Families are hurting. We cannot stay silent. Through our advocacy efforts, we are working to: ✅ Inspire change ✅ Build confidence in speaking out ✅ Develop advocacy skills ✅ Connect families impacted by marijuana-related harms Together, we can turn pain into purpose and help protect other families. Learn more about the meaningful ways we are creating change — and how you can join us: 🔗 everybrainmatters.org/advocacy-effor… #everybrainmatters #ProtectOurKids #Advocacy #PublicHealth #familiesfirst