Pot industry profits rely on lies, schemes and deception

Top 10 Lies, Schemes, and Deceptions of the Marijuana Industry

Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana (AALM)

The marijuana industry is built on misinformation. From claiming that marijuana is medicine to deceiving lawmakers with legal loopholes, the pot lobby has carefully orchestrated one of the most successful disinformation campaigns in American history. Here are 10 of the biggest lies, deceptions, and schemes used to normalize, commercialize, and legalize a dangerous drug.

1. “Marijuana Is Natural and Safe”

Despite the marketing spin, modern marijuana is far from “natural.” Today’s products—like shatter, wax, and dabs—are 10–40 times more potent than cannabis from the 1960s.

These high-THC products cause addiction, psychosis, and violent outbursts. Nature doesn’t produce anything like this.
This is not a harmless plant—it’s an engineered drug.

2. “It’s Environmentally Friendly”

The marijuana industry is an environmental disaster:

• Uses millions of gallons of water daily

• Causes deforestation, pesticide runoff, and toxic waste

• Black market grows destroy protected forests and wildlife

• Even “legal” farms often violate environmental laws

Do we want food and water—or marijuana?

3. The Farm Bill Loophole Scheme

The 2018 Farm Bill was manipulated by the pot lobby to legalize psychotropic drugs like Delta-8 THC under the guise of hemp farming.

Congress thought it was helping farmers. Instead, it unleashed a national flood of unregulated THC products.
21 State Attorneys General are now demanding Congress fix this mistake.

4. “We Can Regulate Marijuana”

Legalization has not stopped the black market—it’s fueled it:

• Black market growers outnumber legal farms

• Unlicensed dispensaries operate in plain sight

• Organized crime and human trafficking are rampant

California is the cautionary tale: the black market got worse after legalization.

5. Fake Medicine, Fake Endorsements

“Medical marijuana” was never medicine—it was a PR scam admitted by its founders.
There is no FDA-approved form of smoked marijuana, and national medical groups warn against its use.
Calling pot ‘medicine’ is the industry’s longest-running lie.

6. “Legalization Reduces Crime”

Crime in legal states has increased, not decreased:

• Corruption, violence, and labor exploitation

• Psychotic marijuana-fueled murders

• Regulators caught taking bribes

Pot doesn't reduce crime—it breeds new forms of it.

7. “Legalization Protects Teens”

Since legalization:

• Teen marijuana poisonings are up 1375%

• Psychosis among youth has skyrocketed

• Dispensaries have been caught selling to minors

Industrial-strength pot harms the developing brain—and legalization makes it easier for kids to access.

8. “You Can’t Get Addicted to Pot”

That’s a lie. 1 in 6 teens who use marijuana will become addicted.
The industry markets directly to youth—with colorful candies, fruity flavors, and influencers.
Pot is a business of addiction—by design.

9. “Harm Reduction Works”

In cities like Portland and San Francisco, harm reduction efforts have led to:

• Surging overdose deaths

• Public drug use and crime

• Devastated neighborhoods

“Compassionate use” has created public health nightmares.

10. “Marijuana Legalization Promotes Social Justice”

The industry claims legalization helps minority communities. In reality:

• Dispensaries are clustered in low-income neighborhoods

• Black and Latino youth still face high arrest rates

• Drug dealers get licenses in the name of “equity”

This isn’t social justice—it’s predatory capitalism dressed in progressive language.

The Truth Matters

These lies have led to addiction, psychosis, crime, violence, and broken families. AALM stands with parents, educators, public health officials, and communities harmed by this dangerous industry.