Posted on 02/11/2026 7:11:28 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The New York Times recently came clean, saying it was wrong about the effects of legalizing marijuana. The paper had once argued that weed was mostly harmless and not truly addictive, but now admits those old claims don’t hold up today.
Back in 2014, an editorial writer claimed marijuana wasn’t addictive like heroin, while also noting that users might still crave it and struggle to quit. The NY Times even admitted that heavy users needed more of the drug over time and some got withdrawal symptoms.
This week, the Times’ editorial board finally said, “It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong. Legalization has led to much more use.”
Recent research shows daily or near-daily marijuana use is now almost three times more common than drinking alcohol. The NY Times now admits all this extra usage has driven up rates of addiction and mental health problems, especially after so many experts used to say weed was safe.
The 2014 editorial did mention that young people who use marijuana often struggle in school and can get it too easily, but most of the warnings were brushed aside.
The current editorial admits that legalizing without proper rules “has led to worse outcomes than many Americans expected.”
Now, 24 states plus DC have legal weed for fun, and 16 more only allow it for medical use. Last year, President Trump moved marijuana to a less strict category and ordered better research and access for certain products.
This story shows what happens when common sense gets ignored and special interests win. Regular folks know that problems often grow when rules disappear, especially around drugs. The risks to our kids and communities should come first, no matter what big city papers claim.
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ping
i heard beer consumption is way down.
I guess this legalization is part of why
My town (Tacoma, WA) now reeks of skunk weed 24x7 in every corner.
Thanks, NYT!
What else have you been wrong on, NYT?
Ever notice all these anti-weed “studies” are always sponsored by companies like Budweiser? Just sayin......
I wonder if the hugely greater potency of pot is a factor.
I’ve been told that it is *many* times stronger that what we smoked in 1970. This happened many years after I no longer smoked it.
We were in Colorado for a few days 10 years ago & I was tempted to buy some out of curiosity but didn’t bother after I was told to be very careful and not do it like I did 4+ decades earlier. Plus I had headaches from the altitude and figured that would probably make it a lot worse.
NY Times flips to opposite opinion on marijuana....
How can this be?
Ray Walston as teacher Mr. Hand in Fast Times At Ridgemont High:
“What are you people? On dope?”
https://clip.cafe/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high-1982/what-are-people-on-dope/“
Is the paper plant still there?
Fake?
How did it get stronger?
Pot isn’t that bad... I smoked it pretty heavy back in the 70s and 80s... Then I quit without any problem for about 10 years or so... Then I started up again in the mid 1990s and I’m an occasional smoker now so it takes me two or three days to finish a joint, but I’ve had no problems.
I typically enjoy a few puffs in the morning with my coffee... When I was teen I did tend to get paranoid and I assume that still happens with teens... But my older brother, who’s chronic and has been continuously smoking since the the 1970s on a regular basis seems fine. He’s 71 and no ill effects so far.
I am surprised there hasn’t been more concerns about the long term impact on the breathing system. Breathing smoke doesn’t seem like a good idea.
It hasn’t gotten stronger and you can actually control the amount THC... They actually indicate percentages of THC for whatever you’re buying.
LOL!
Selective breeding I think
Far out, dude.
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