In all my college teaching whether it was when I taught College Success courses or in my present teaching of General Psychology, I would bring up the topic of drug use in my lectures. In my counseling with teens often the subject of marijuana comes up. In those sessions I am often hearing how the lies from the media have taken over young minds. Many times I hear from the teens that marijuana is natural so it is good for you and it even cures cancer. Of course there is always the “everyone uses it” thought, that saddens me as the statistics don’t show that to be true. The truth is more like 8-10 percent (https://talbottcampus.com/marijuana-statistics/). As more states even here in Texas are jumping on the latest “snake oil” of marijuana is the wonder drug, I look for material that reveals the real truth to make young people think through the choices of drug use in their lives.
Recently I stumbled across a book by reporter and novelist, Alex Berenson. The book is entitled Tell Your Children: The Truth about Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. (You can check out his book by clicking on the book title). In this non-fiction book Alex uses his journalistic skills to bring the facts to bear about marijuana. He looks at long range research studies in Europe, New Zealand and Australia that reveal correlations between marijuana and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. He also discusses the increase of violent crimes that have increased in areas where marijuana has been legalized. He documents the evidence so a reader can check it out for themselves. That puts a clear hole in the false argument that marijuana is so safe.
As to the research studies on marijuana and mental illness, he uses his reporter mind to go into the details and shows how several similar studies in various parts of the world reveal the same correlational statistics on marijuana users and mental illness. Combining those research studies as well as the research and true stories of violent crime from marijuana users the book can come off as a little depressing when compared to the glowing reports of marijuana in many mainstream media reports. Alex at one point even was honest enough to share his research on the ill aspects of marijuana was depressing for him as he researched it. Yet though, it is an important book to force people to think about the realities of the drug marijuana that many want kept hidden in the closet. It is an important book to read from that standpoint.
Near the end of the book Alex writes: “Time is running short. Even as I write this book, the evidence that cannabis causes mental illness and violence is becoming stronger. New studies and new data have emerged. And even as I wrote this book, marijuana’s move towards legalization in the United States gained momentum.” (pg 222). More states and polls show more and more people are brainwashed into thinking marijuana as a miracle drug and safer than alcohol and cigarettes. Sad to say knowing human nature, many people won’t wake up until the body count increases. When they have loved ones who die because of marijuana then maybe the tide will turn. At the same time I am thankful there are reporters like Alex Berenson who are presenting the facts so people can make a reasoned choice.
For those who have followed my blog or read my book, Living More Than OK, (you can check out my book by clicking on the book title) you know I promote the non-profit group, Natural High, whenever I can. Their work is the basis of my chapter, “Aiming for Natural Highs”. While reading Tell Your Children, I thought of the work they do in trying to encourage young people to aim for natural high passions such as sports, music and the arts instead of drugs. If you are unfamiliar with their work check out their website: https://naturalhigh.org/ I often encourage my college students to build up positive habits they can be passionate about instead of smoking, drinking, or snorting substances to try to find happiness. Some of my natural highs are reading, music and clouds (notice the pictures I use this week).
Reflection: Take some time to listen to Alex speak on the topic of cannabis and mental illness on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7HvGoI5B7g What did you think of his talk? Reflect on your life and think about your hobbies and passions that are your Natural Highs. How do your natural highs impact the quality of your life? What shapes do you see in the pictures of the clouds?
