Laura Bullard

There is particular concern about what regular heavy marijuana use does to adolescent and teen brains. So there have been studies that have shown an increased likelihood of depression and suicidal ideation associated with heavy marijuana use. In a few cases, it has been associated with the development of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders among young people.

Studies have also shown disruptions in the anatomy of a developing brain. And teens often have, and honestly, adult consumers too, often have really no idea what they're consuming and how safe it is. A big issue is a lot of people don't know dosing.

Studies have also shown disruptions in the anatomy of a developing brain. And teens often have, and honestly, adult consumers too, often have really no idea what they're consuming and how safe it is. A big issue is a lot of people don't know dosing.

Studies have also shown disruptions in the anatomy of a developing brain. And teens often have, and honestly, adult consumers too, often have really no idea what they're consuming and how safe it is. A big issue is a lot of people don't know dosing.

A lot of it is because every state is sort of running their own experiment with marijuana legalization. So different states have different laws. They have different requirements for what sort of health or safety inspections things have to go through.

A lot of it is because every state is sort of running their own experiment with marijuana legalization. So different states have different laws. They have different requirements for what sort of health or safety inspections things have to go through.

A lot of it is because every state is sort of running their own experiment with marijuana legalization. So different states have different laws. They have different requirements for what sort of health or safety inspections things have to go through.

And then the other thing is just the market is evolving so fast and customers are sort of rushing in to buy new products and they don't necessarily themselves know what's in the product. And it's confusing for the consumers. It's confusing for the researchers, too. The regulations basically have not caught up to where the market is evolving.

And then the other thing is just the market is evolving so fast and customers are sort of rushing in to buy new products and they don't necessarily themselves know what's in the product. And it's confusing for the consumers. It's confusing for the researchers, too. The regulations basically have not caught up to where the market is evolving.

And then the other thing is just the market is evolving so fast and customers are sort of rushing in to buy new products and they don't necessarily themselves know what's in the product. And it's confusing for the consumers. It's confusing for the researchers, too. The regulations basically have not caught up to where the market is evolving.

One of the big reasons is that the federal government has basically allowed the states to liberalize their marijuana laws, so decriminalizing or legalizing in different cases. Today, marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and recreational use in roughly half of all states, plus the District of Columbia. But it's still kept marijuana as illegal on a federal level as a Schedule I drug.

One of the big reasons is that the federal government has basically allowed the states to liberalize their marijuana laws, so decriminalizing or legalizing in different cases. Today, marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and recreational use in roughly half of all states, plus the District of Columbia. But it's still kept marijuana as illegal on a federal level as a Schedule I drug.

One of the big reasons is that the federal government has basically allowed the states to liberalize their marijuana laws, so decriminalizing or legalizing in different cases. Today, marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and recreational use in roughly half of all states, plus the District of Columbia. But it's still kept marijuana as illegal on a federal level as a Schedule I drug.

So the government doesn't recognize it for medical use. And that's made getting safety approvals and government funding necessary to study the drug really difficult. So essentially, researchers say it's like they've been handcuffed all these years, right? And the handcuffs are just sort of coming off.

So the government doesn't recognize it for medical use. And that's made getting safety approvals and government funding necessary to study the drug really difficult. So essentially, researchers say it's like they've been handcuffed all these years, right? And the handcuffs are just sort of coming off.

So the government doesn't recognize it for medical use. And that's made getting safety approvals and government funding necessary to study the drug really difficult. So essentially, researchers say it's like they've been handcuffed all these years, right? And the handcuffs are just sort of coming off.

Meanwhile, all these states have legalized marijuana, and they're trying to figure out now, how do we establish a public health response to make sure people are aware of what they're taking as consumers, aware of what they're putting in their bodies, similar to what we have around, say, cigarettes or alcohol?

Meanwhile, all these states have legalized marijuana, and they're trying to figure out now, how do we establish a public health response to make sure people are aware of what they're taking as consumers, aware of what they're putting in their bodies, similar to what we have around, say, cigarettes or alcohol?

Meanwhile, all these states have legalized marijuana, and they're trying to figure out now, how do we establish a public health response to make sure people are aware of what they're taking as consumers, aware of what they're putting in their bodies, similar to what we have around, say, cigarettes or alcohol?

Oh, no, absolutely not. Certain states have better labels. I think, testing and safety standards than others. But no, I mean, essentially it's on you to sort of be an expert both about like reading labels and figuring out what it is exactly you're taking and then also figure out what amount works for your body. I mean, and it seems like there is really wide variations.