Marijuana Craze Raises Concerns as Addiction Rates Soar

New York Times editorial board acknowledges flawed predictions on marijuana legalization

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The New York Times editorial board has expressed concern over the rise in marijuana use and addiction in the U.S. following the legalization of the drug in many states. The board admitted that its previous arguments in favor of legalization were mistaken, as research has shown that legalization has led to much higher rates of daily and frequent marijuana use, with an estimated 18 million Americans now using the drug almost daily. The editorial cites studies linking marijuana use to health issues like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, schizophrenia, and increased workplace absenteeism.

Why it matters

The New York Times' shift in stance on marijuana legalization is significant, as the paper was previously a major advocate for loosening restrictions. This acknowledgment that the predicted benefits of legalization have not materialized highlights the growing public health concerns around the marijuana craze sweeping the country, with addiction rates spiking and potential links to serious mental health issues.

The details

According to the Times editorial, legalization has led to a dramatic increase in marijuana use, with the number of Americans using the drug almost daily rising from around 6 million in 2012 to 18 million in recent years. The board cited research linking marijuana use to health problems like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can cause intense stomach pain and vomiting, as well as studies suggesting a connection between cannabis use and schizophrenia. The editorial also noted that employees who use marijuana regularly are more likely to miss work.

  • In 2014, researchers found that marijuana legalization led to increases in marijuana abuse and dependence, as well as higher rates of experimentation among adolescents.
  • In December 2023, President Donald Trump signed an order to potentially reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, reducing the scale of marijuana-related offenses.

The players

New York Times Editorial Board

The editorial board of the New York Times, which previously advocated for marijuana legalization but has now acknowledged that many of its predictions were wrong.

Kevin Sabet

The president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an advocacy group that warned about the dangers of marijuana legalization.

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What they’re saying

“In our editorials, we described marijuana addiction and dependence as 'relatively minor problems.' Many advocates went further and claimed that marijuana was a harmless drug that might even bring net health benefits. They also said that legalization might not lead to greater use. It is now clear that many of these predictions were wrong.”

— New York Times Editorial Board (New York Times)

“Despite the promises of the legalizers, federal data show that (just as the Times notes) legalization drives use, including youth use increases. This is true in the national aggregate and in individual state data. It's not rocket science: If you make a powerful addictive drug easier to access (and send the signal that it's OK to use in the process), more people are going to use it.”

— Kevin Sabet, President and CEO, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (The Daily Wire)

What’s next

The federal government is in the process of potentially reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would reduce the scale of marijuana-related offenses. However, some organizations are urging the government to keep marijuana classified as a Schedule I drug, arguing that it 'fits squarely' in that definition.

The takeaway

The New York Times' shift in stance on marijuana legalization highlights the growing public health concerns around the rise in marijuana use and addiction in the U.S. As more research uncovers the potential risks, including links to serious mental health issues, there is a growing recognition that the predicted benefits of legalization have not materialized. This may prompt a re-evaluation of marijuana policies and a greater focus on prevention and awareness efforts.