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+Drugs | February 10, 2012

Stoned Driving Nearly Doubles the Risk of a Fatal Crash

By Maia Szalavitz

People who drive within three hours of smoking marijuana are at nearly twice the risk of being in an accident that leads to serious injury or death, compared with sober drivers, according to a new review of the research.

+Drugs | January 10, 2012

Study: Smoking Marijuana Not Linked with Lung Damage

By Maia Szalavitz
Russell Burden / Getty Images

Marijuana smokers performed better on tests of lung function compared to nonsmokers and cigarette smokers

+Drugs | January 5, 2012

Marijuana May Both Trigger and Suppress Psychosis

By Maia Szalavitz
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Researchers uncover connections between marijuana and the psychoses of schizophrenia

+Drugs | October 24, 2011

Obama’s Misguided Crackdown on Medical Marijuana

By Maia Szalavitz
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(Updated) Why is the U.S. government cracking down on medical marijuana, a $1.7 billion business — and one of the few that seems to be thriving in a moribund economy?

+Culture | August 19, 2011

Viewpoint: Smoke a Joint, Lose Your Child?

By Maia Szalavitz
Daniel Arsenault / Getty Images

People caught with small amounts of marijuana in New York State are supposed to receive no more than a $100 fine, the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Instead, in New York City, many such people are being accused of child neglect, even if they are never charged with a drug-related violation. And some have even [...]

+Addiction | July 26, 2011

Marijuana Derivative May Offer Hope in Cocaine Addiction

By Maia Szalavitz
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A new study in mice has found that activating a receptor affected by marijuana can dramatically reduce cocaine consumption. The research suggests that new anti-addiction drugs might be developed using synthetic versions of cannabidiol (CBD), the marijuana component that activates the receptor—or even by using the purified natural compound itself.

+Addiction | July 19, 2011

Study: Marijuana Not Linked With Long Term Cognitive Impairment

By Maia Szalavitz
Roc Canals / Getty Images

The idea that “marijuana makes you dumb” has long been embodied in the stereotype of the slow, stupid stoner, seen in numerous Hollywood movies and TV comedies and going unquestioned by much of American culture. But a new study says no: the researchers followed nearly 2,000 young Australian adults for eight years and found that [...]

+Numbers | May 17, 2011

$290,000

Amount of tax revenue collected from San Jose, Calif., marijuana dispensaries in March 2011, the first month of the city's 7% tax. The money will go to help the city close its $115 million deficit, though the jackpot may shrink over time: the city council just voted to reduce the number of pot clubs in [...]

+Drugs | April 20, 2011

Marijuana Facts for 4/20

By Maia Szalavitz
© Image Source/Corbis

As stoners toke today, April 20 — on what has become an unofficial holiday celebrating all things marijuana-related — there’s good news and bad for those who smoke weed.

+Exercise | March 9, 2011

Cure for the Munchies? Exercise Cuts Marijuana Cravings

By Maia Szalavitz
Pete Saloutos via Getty Images

Want to get stoned without breaking federal law? Try exercise. Past research suggests it may trigger the release of natural marijuana-like substances in the brain, and now a small but intriguing new study finds that exercise reduced marijuana use and cravings in heavy pot smokers who weren’t even trying to quit.