ICYMI: Here are the headlines making news this week on The Fresh Toast.
Five more states just legalized marijuana. And some analysts predict that it’s on its way to becoming a $9 billion market, which means not many states — or the federal government — will be able to ignore the economic benefits too much longer; Stoner stigmas still linger in the popular consciousness, like the perception that every hit on a joint results in a lower IQ. Does weed actually make you stupid?; and it’s not a huge jump, but more people support legal weed than they did in 2019, according to a new Gallup poll.
Let’s dive into these stories and more as we round up the top five headlines on The Fresh Toast this week:
What’s Next For Marijuana Legalization In The United States?
While the federal government still considers marijuana to be a dangerous drug, the rest of America isn’t so crass. Five more states just legalized the leaf in Tuesday’s election, making it where one in every three Americans now lives in a state where marijuana is no longer bound by prohibition.
Some believe that such a substantial victory means that cannabis reform is poised for more progress in the coming year. We’re talking about more states with influence putting pot laws on the books and, perhaps, even a situation where Congress is finally forced to take a careful look at the issue. Although there is still a great deal of uncertainty about how this could or will shake out, you can bet there is plenty on the horizon for marijuana legalization in the United States.
Does Marijuana Actually Ruin Your Memory?
Marijuana makes you dumb. At least according to the tired trope surrounding its use. Back in the day, stoners were considered slackers and anyone who smoked weed was on a one-way ticket to Loserville.
Today, many of those stigmas have fallen away. But some still linger in the popular consciousness, like the perception that every hit on a joint results in a lower IQ. But does smoking marijuana actually make you stupid?
5 Ways To Avoid Unhealthy Marijuana Habits
While marijuana has been slowly embraced within the legal and cultural realms, the plant, no matter how natural it is, is still a drug; there are side effects to its usage, especially when mishandled.
But there are things we can do to help us stay as healthy as possible as we smoke up. Here are just a handful.
More Americans Than Ever Are In Support Of Legal Marijuana
As the country’s growing acceptance of marijuana continues to spread across state lines, it should come as no surprise that Americans are now more likely than ever to support legal weed. In fact, a new Gallup poll reveals that they’re more likely to support it now than at any point in the previous five decades, with seven in 10 Americans vouching for the drug’s legalization.
The poll found that 68% of U.S. adults are in support of legal marijuana:
“The 68% of U.S. adults who currently back the measure is not statistically different from last year’s 66%; however, it is nominally Gallup’s highest reading, exceeding the 64% to 66% range seen from 2017 to 2019.”
Survey Shows 75% Of Veterans Are Interested In Cannabis
It’s no secret that many veterans are turning to cannabis to combat some of the difficulties they may be facing from serving in the military. There is no one reason a veteran uses cannabis, rather, veterans’ reasons for use go across the board. Missouri even voted to allocate the sales tax on medical marijuana sales to veterans, a trend that is not uncommon throughout other states.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most commonly cited reasons among veterans who use cannabis. Post-traumatic stress disorder is when someone, in this case a veteran, experiences heightened anxiety, stress, paranoia, depression, and other symptoms because of the trauma they endured serving.
