Drugs

“Those previously diagnosed with cannabis addiction were almost twice as likely to develop clinical depression and up to four times as likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.” - Breakpoint

“Adults younger than 50, for example, are twice as likely as those aged 65 and older to be regular cannabis users (12% vs. 6%, respectively). Men (11%) are marginally more likely than women (8%) to be regular consumers” - Gallup

“The proportion of Americans who say they smoke marijuana has more than doubled since 2013, when Gallup first asked the question. That year, 7% said they did.” - Gallup

“The rising demand for ayahuasca has led to hundreds of churches like this one…protected from prosecution by a 2006 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In that case, a New Mexico branch of a Brazilian-based ayahuasca church won the right to use the drug as a sacrament” - RNS

“We need to be especially on guard against any claim that chemical-induced spiritual experiences draw us closer to Jesus … . more akin to witchcraft than it is to any form of historically and biblically orthodox Christianity.” - Relevant

“Writing in Vox news, Luke Winkie describes a new and growing trend for health-conscious Americans: ‘microdosing.’ It consists of introducing small amounts of marijuana, magic mushrooms, ketamine, or other formerly illicit substances into a daily routine.” - Breakpoint

“The first four states to legalize marijuana for recreational use were Colorado and Washington in 2014 and Alaska and Oregon in 2015. ….Last year, they had almost 620 murders and 38,000 aggravated assaults—an increase of 37 percent for murders and 25 percent for aggravated assaults, far greater than the national increase.” - Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence

” … a conclusion that is simple yet profound: when dealing with addiction, environment matters a lot.” Intellectual Takeout

“legalization has spawned a heightened demand for social services in southern Colorado, including an 81 percent rise in marijuana-related calls to emergency response dispatchers in 2014.” BPNews

“The medical marijuana efforts passed in [Oregon and Alaska] because voters were told it would help relieve people’s suffering. Fast forward to 2014, and they now have legal recreational marijuana.”