Concerns Raised Over High-Potency Cannabis and Mental Health Risks
New research highlights potential risks associated with high-potency cannabis. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical contributor, warns that increased THC levels may contribute to addiction and adverse mental health effects. These risks are especially concerning for developing brains.
Siegel cautions against claims that cannabis alleviates anxiety and depression, suggesting they may be misleading. He states that such beliefs could lead to more emergency room visits.
“Too much attention has been put on the bogus or exaggerated uses of marijuana for pain, insomnia and anxiety, when in fact it increases anxiety exponentially, especially in those with underlying mental health issues,” Dr. Siegel told Fox News Digital.
Marijuana usage has risen to become the most commonly used daily drug among Americans. Data from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), indicates that approximately 21.4 million Americans use marijuana daily or almost daily. This number surpasses those who smoke cigarettes and consume alcohol regularly.
Between 2022 and 2025, there was a 21% increase in daily marijuana usage in the U.S., totaling about 3.7 million new frequent users. The most significant rise occurred between 2021 and 2022, adding roughly 2.8 million users.
The rise in marijuana use primarily involves adults aged 26 and older. For individuals 18 and older, usage increased by 22% between 2021 and 2025, reaching 20.9 million people.
Despite marijuana’s prevalence, alcohol remains the most widely used substance overall, with about 129 million people having consumed it in the last month. During the same period, 43.8 million used marijuana, and general marijuana use rose from 13.2% to 15.1% between 2021 and 2025.
Meanwhile, cigarette and broader tobacco product use declined from 20.1% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025.
A report by Modern Health, a San Francisco-based workplace mental health platform, highlights a troubling trend of workers using substances to manage stress, particularly THC and marijuana products. The report surveyed 1,000 full-time employees and found that 63% participate in self-medication after work, with 52% doing so during work hours.
The survey notes that Gen Z workers use THC more after work than alcohol, with 59% reporting marijuana use compared to 50% who consume alcohol.
Dr. Siegel emphasizes the need for greater awareness of the dangers associated with marijuana, criticizing the lack of focus on the growing THC content in cannabis products. He links these risks to impaired mental performance and suggests a connection to an increase in fatal motor vehicle crashes.
“Too little attention has been paid to the growing THC content in all cannabis products, which makes it far more dangerous in terms of mental performance, judgement, memory and all forms of impairment,” Siegel explained.
His stance is that society’s acceptance of marijuana use, alongside declining alcohol and cigarette consumption, reflects a dangerous trend shaped by limited awareness of marijuana risks compared to those of tobacco and alcohol.