(NewsNation) — Despite its mainstream popularity, marijuana should be viewed as “incredibly dangerous,” according to the author of “One Nation Under the Influence.”
Kevin Sabet joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” to discuss the hazards of the culturally popularized drug as some states consider rolling back legalization.
“It’s incredibly dangerous … we have hundreds of thousands of people, millions going to the emergency room every year from acute marijuana poisoning. Marijuana is the number one reason why young people are in treatment more than alcohol and all other drugs combined,” Sabet told NewsNation on Thursday.
He added that the major concern is not with adults having the occasional edible or joint to unwind; instead, “the issue is it is being pushed in very heavy doses to our young people (with) developing brains, and that is what we need to stop.”
The recent government shutdown deal included language closing the “Farm Bill loophole,” which allowed sales of hemp-derived THC products such as delta-8 and delta-9 to explode nationwide.
Under the new rule, any hemp products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container become illegal, including nearly all edibles, vapes, infused beverages and gummies currently on shelves.
Massachusetts could soon become the first state to undo its legal weed laws after a coalition submitted the required signatures to put the question on the 2026 ballot this week.
Sabet, who helped with the proposal, believes it will pass and could be a sign of things to come across the nation.
“This is the beginning, but I think there’s a ton of momentum. It’s going to be difficult to stop.”