On the Third Anniversary of Commercial Drug Sales, It’s Time Lawmakers Embraced the Science and Admit the Damage Being Done
(TRENTON, NJ) – Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a three-time White House drug policy advisor, released the following statement in advance of the third anniversary of commercial marijuana sales in New Jersey:
“Trends across the nation have shown that sales of today’s high-potency marijuana and THC-infused drugs are resulting in more DUI accidents, more youth-use, a larger illicit market, and lower than expected tax revenue. New Jersey is no exception. Data released by the New Jersey State Police makes it clear legalization has made the state’s roads significantly more dangerous. Recent reporting has also found deep flaws in New Jersey’s state-sanctioned market, with pot profiteers selling marijuana and THC-infused products that ‘contained exponentially higher levels of yeast, mold and bacteria and were often far less potent than advertised’.”
Since THC drug sales started in 2022, New Jersey has seen:
- 72 percent of drivers tested for alcohol and/or drugs after fatal traffic crash tested positive for marijuana;
- 60.5 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for marijuana;
- The percentage of high school students in Newark that currently used* or have ever used marijuana increase (“current use” defined as use in the past 30 days); and
- Increases in children being hospitalized for ingesting marijuana.
“Driving while drugged has become a crisis on New Jersey’s roads. Lawmakers – many of whom count pot profiteers among their donors – refuse to acknowledge the death and damage being done because of this policy. They continue to be resistant to advancing policies that can save New Jerseyans from physical, psychological and economic clutches of this predatory industry.
“Significant reforms are needed, including requiring clear warning labels about the harms associated with these dangerous psychoactive drugs. Those labels must tell the public that THC drugs are medically associated with depression, suicidality, IQ loss, psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for young people. They also impair motor skills and judgement. We need potency caps now along with bans on advertising, and greater investment in prevention and treatment programs to help those who are bearing the consequences of the state’s failed experiment with marijuana legalization.”
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