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Medical Marijuana & CBD - The Snake Oil of the 21st Century

  • May 1
  • 2 min read


Attorney David Evans Power Point



  • April 29, 2026

  • AnnaScott Cross


Last week, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Marijuana Impact on Medicaid Act. This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect data on Medicaid spending on hospital care and emergency room visits that result from marijuana use.

“The health consequences tied to marijuana use are serious, leading to increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, psychotic disorders, and further addictions. When legislating on this issue, Congress needs to put the health and safety of the American people first, full stop. This is exactly why lawmakers need access to reliable data that details Medicaid spending associated with marijuana abuse. Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid healthcare benefits, and my legislation will ensure Congress understands the dangers of this drug and its impact on federally funded health programs,” said Senator Budd.


“We enthusiastically support this important piece of legislation which advances public awareness of marijuana’s costs to society. Senator Budd’s bill calls for an accounting of taxpayer-funded health programs and the impact of normalizing this dangerous drug on their costs—and that’s long overdue. In study after study, significant data appear linking marijuana to serious physical and mental health issues like heart attacks and schizophrenia. Enough is enough,” said Kevin A. Sabet, CEO, Smart Approaches to Marijuana. 


The Dangers Involved in Marijuana Use

There are many health risks associated with marijuana use, including:

  • Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which involves excessive vomiting and abdominal pain;

  • Nearly double the risk of a car crash;

  • Increased chances of psychosis;

  • Worsened mental health problems; and

  • Various lung conditions.


In North Carolina alone, there has been an increase in hospitalizations for young men who have used marijuana. In addition, a study published in 2022 found that marijuana users were 22% more likely to visit an emergency department or be hospitalized compared to non-users. NC Family has written for years about the harms of marijuana.


The Bottom Line

As debates about Medicaid continue, it is important that lawmakers accurately assess where the taxpayer’s money is going. With many states legalizing marijuana and President Trump working on reclassifying it as a less dangerous drug, it is important to consider the costs that will inevitably come from increased access to this dangerous drug.

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