Tag Archives: Nikolas Cruz

Mental Health, Politics, Violence

More Reefer Madness in Florida?

On March 29,  a Florida man stabbed his parents during a mental episode following vape pen use.  The description of his behavior suggests that Alexander Figueroa was in the throes of a cannabis-induced psychosis. 

The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 1, allowing for the legalization of marijuana.  Governor DeSantis correctly states it would diminish the quality of life in Florida, but the state of mental health and public safety should be the biggest concern. 

Floridians have experienced many cases of“Reefer Madness” over the years, and a ballot to legalize marijuana will give residents the chance to vote on further normalization of this drug.  This article is the second in a series of explaining outstanding episodes of “Reefer Madness.”   Read Ten Years After the Deaths of Levy Thamba and Kristine Kirk, part 1

Parkland Shooter Blamed Marijuana for his Actions

Nikolas Cruz killed 17 students and injured 17, at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, on Valentine’s Day, 2018. In his initial police interview, he confessed “that he had used a lot of marijuana and had taken a lot of the prescription tranquilizer Xanax.”   He also talked about “hearing voices.” Continue reading More Reefer Madness in Florida? →

Editorial, Featured, Violence

Medical marijuana users should not be allowed to own guns

Guns are a hot topic. This year a 21-year-old “isolated stoner “killed multiple people at the 4th of July Parade in his hometown. The most notable mass shooters in Illinois– the Highland Park Shooter and the Aurora factory shooter – were marijuana users, presumably heavy users. Both men were able to bypass FOID laws to buy or own guns.

Gary Martin, the disgruntled employee from the Henry Pratt factory in Aurora, IL, used a gun to kill five fellow employees in 2019.  When police arrived at the scene, they shot and killed him.

Martin had THC, caffeine, nicotine, and THC metabolites as the only drugs in his system when he died. *  Continue reading Medical marijuana users should not be allowed to own guns →