Former NY Times writer links legalized marijuana with violence, psychosis

It’s known as the drug to take when you need to chill out, relax, and bring down anxiety. But according to former New York Times journalist Alex Berenson, marijuana actually can be linked to higher rates of psychosis, violence, and even murder.

In his new book, “Tell Your Children:  The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Health, And Violence,” Berenson draws a parallel between the legalization of marijuana in Washington state and the increase in homicides.

In 2013, the year before retail pot shops opened, there were about 150 homicides in Washington, Berenson noted.

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“In 2017, there were about 230, so that’s more than a 40-percent increase,” Berenson said. “Washington state has grown pretty fast the last few years, but even if you adjust for population growth, that’s a 35-percent increase, which is about double the national average.”

Aggravated assaults are even more common, he said, and have also shot up in Washington state.

He pointed out the case of Joseph Hudek, who caused such a violent disturbance on a Delta flight from Seattle to Beijing in 2017 that the plane had to return to Seattle.

Hudek, who was later sentenced to two years in prison, tried to open the cabin door in-flight, and fought the flight attendants and passengers who stopped him by punching them and even using a wine bottle as a weapon.

Hudek admitted in court that he had ingested an edible in Seattle before takeoff.

“There’s the case of a guy who had no history of violence … and he became violent and psychotic after consuming some edibles,” Berenson said, stressing, “He took this edible, and an hour later, he tried to take himself out of the plane.”

A 2017 report from National Academy of Medicine states that cannabis likely increases the risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia. It was a report that, in part, inspired Berenson to write the book.

“Amazingly, when that came out, it got almost no attention … This is the group for scientific research and medical advice-giving in the United States, and they’re saying this, and nobody knows it,” Berenson said. “How is it possible that no one knows this?”

He used alcohol as an example, which — as evidenced by the commonness of the term ‘bar fight’ — is known to cause belligerent behavior when consumed in excess.

“We don’t have any problem in our own minds putting those things together, and yet somehow with marijuana, we think, ‘There’s only one way this drug can affect you,'” Berenson said. “And it’s simply not true.”

The casual weed user, Berenson said, can still use pot if they know it doesn’t affect them badly. However, those who become anxious with marijuana usage — particularly with edibles, which are known to cause paranoia — should put the brownies down.

“If you are somebody who uses marijuana, and it makes you paranoid and psychotic, then first of all, you’re suffering, because it’s a terrible thing to have happen to you, your family is suffering,” he said. “And you’re also a problem for society.”

He referenced the state of Colorado’s Impact of Marijuana Legalization report, conducted in 2018, which notes the prevalence of speeding among people who drive while high. The report notes that this data directly contradicts commonly-held assumptions about drivers under the influence of cannabis.

These speeding charges are contrary to anecdotes that cannabis users drive slower to compensate for deficits in driving‐related skills

Berenson’s problem with legalization is that it “creates a population” of people who get high on marijuana “all day, every day.” This is a problem whether it’s alcohol, weed, or any other addictive substance being discussed.

“The number of people who use marijuana once a year has not risen that much, but the number of people who use it heavily has nearly tripled since 2002,” he said. “What legalization seems to do is make it easier for people who want to use a lot of cannabis to use a lot of cannabis.”

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