Only days after the Senate appointed a new chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the agency has released yet another campaign warning people against the use of marijuana. It links it with depression and suicide.
The DEA’s Get Smart About Drugs site shared on Friday an article from Psychology Today written by Mark Gold. Gold is a Yale University professor, chairman of the psychology department, and has received praises by many prohibitionists including Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
The article—titled “Cannabis Use Increases Depressive and Suicidal Thinking”—notes that numerous states have legalized medical cannabis, which “reversed criminalization, but rather than following FDA-like testing and approval, cannabis was suddenly ‘a medicine.'”
Gold, in an article published by the DEA, writes that “Cannabis has been largely understudied, or it failed to pass rigorous drug trials. Its impact on mental illness is largely unknown.” He refuses to acknowledge the tens and thousands of research studies on marijuana, its risks, and benefits, which have appeared in just the past decade.
According to the article promoted by the DEA, “Numerous recent studies provide convincing evidence that youth cannabis usage is likely responsible for depression and suicidal behaviors in adolescence or adulthood.” In the presence of trauma or minor stress or self-medication, cannabis is perceived to be a way out or as coping mechanisms in absence of FDA-approved treatment.
Gold concluded, “Depressed Patients should be assessed to determine if cannabis is being used as a potential additional risk for suicidal behaviour.” Cannabis users, in turn, should be assessed to determine if they are depressed or suicidal. Future cohort studies will track when cannabis use began, as well as depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior.
SAM, a major prohibitionist organization that led the charge to stop a pending marijuana rescheduling before DEA called Gold in a Fact Sheet “possibly the most distinguished faculty in the nation on drugs and brain and body.”
DEA is promoting a number of anti-cannabis campaign and editorials. However, the latest feature, which comes just after Terrance Col’s confirmation by the Senate to become the Administrator of the Agency, and his swearing in, has an important timing. As Cole is confirmed, advocates and other stakeholders will be watching closely how DEA handles the messaging and policy around cannabis.
Cole stated during the confirmation process that marijuana would be rescheduled as a priority, but did not give his opinion on this reform. Cole’s statement following Friday’s inauguration did not reflect this, as cannabis policy was left off the list of priorities.
It seems that the Trump administration has not given up their anti-marijuana supplementary promotions. Last week, DEA celebrated “World Emoji Day”, promoting a guide that helps “decode symbols” it believes are linked to illegal drug sales and use.
Also, during “National Prevention Week” in May, DEA highlighted a campaign that encourages people to share memes with dubious claims about the effects of cannabis—including the theory that it is a “gateway drug” to using other substances.
Johnny’s Ambassadors was the group that coordinated “Just Say Know”, a national campaign. The organization was started by parents whose child had died of suicide by consuming marijuana concentrates with high potency. The federal agency, however, hosted these memes on its two taxpayer-funded sites and used email blasts in order to promote them.
In 2023, DEA also advised young people that, rather than doing drugs, they should focus on becoming Instagram influencers. It shared tips for getting a “natural” high as a substitute to drugs. These included becoming popular on Instagram, watching video games, and visiting pet stores to see animals.