One of NORML’s primary missions is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults. One of the ways we successfully achieve this goal is by debunking marijuana myths and half-truths via the publication of timely op-eds in online and print media. Since the mainstream media seldom casts a critical eye toward many of the more over-the-top claims about cannabis, we take it upon ourselves to set the record straight.
The majority of NORML’s rebuttals are penned by Deputy Director Paul Armentano. In the past few weeks, he has published numerous op-eds rebuking a litany of popular, but altogether specious claims about the cannabis plant – including the contentions that cannabis consumption is linked to poor health outcomes, problems with regulations, and the effects of opioid abuse, hospitalizations, and fatalities in the states that have robust medical marijuana programs.
Below are links to a sampling of his recent columns:
“Trump’s opioid agency fails to cite marijuana’s benefits, despite mounting evidence“
The Hill, October 23, 2017
“This is how legal cannabis is improving public health“
National Memo, October 22, 2017
“RMHIDTA’s marijuana reports are nothing but propaganda“
Denver Westword, October 21, 2017
“Marijuana is now a driving engine of the American economy“
Alternet, September 28, 2017
“When will our govt stop ignoring that marijuana is a major regulation success story“
Alternet, September 19, 2017
“Blowing up the big marijuana IQ myth — The science points to zero effect on your smarts“
The National Memo, August 7, 2017
For a broader sampling of NORML-centric columns and media hits, please visit NORML’s ‘In the Media’ archive here.
If you see the importance of NORML’s educational and media outreach efforts, please feel free to show your support by making a contribution here.
