The head of an urban drug treatment program has noted a troubling trend—more clients are becoming fixated on marijuana since New York legalized cannabis for adult recreational use.
“Honestly, it’s perhaps one of the worst decisions our society has made. Legalizing cannabis during the opioid crisis feels misguided,” Luke Nasta, president and CEO of Camelot Counseling on Staten Island, remarked.
Camelot reported that 20% of its patients show signs of addiction, with an increase in cases linked to marijuana misuse even prior to legalization.
The Post spoke with three patients from Camelot who voiced concerns about the growing availability of cannabis.
“I know this might sound cliché, but it’s really tough. Yet, we’ve got to just say ‘no,'” shared Dillett Derrans, a 23-year-old resident of Camelot from Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.
Derrans, who started smoking pot at age 11 and has been in treatment for four months, expressed that “the negatives seem to outweigh the positives” of legalizing marijuana.
“Weed is like the new cigarettes, but I think people see it as more exciting since you can get higher,” he commented.
“It’s a gateway drug. In the end, you’re always going to want something stronger. It can tear families apart,” he added.
Shakuan Shannon, 19, revealed he began using marijuana at 12 years old.
“It gave me this sense of invincibility,” Shannon explained.
“I would light up right in the middle of brushing my teeth. I smoke first thing when I wake up. It’s almost like I can’t eat all day unless I smoke,” he said.
He admitted that sometimes, when high, “I forget who I am.”
Chance Buckner, 20, said he’s currently undergoing rehabilitation as an alternative to jail time for substance-related issues.
Initially, he mixed marijuana with opioids and other drugs seeking various highs, using cannabis as a way to cope.
“I felt disconnected from myself and reality. I became a seeker of confusion,” Buckner, from Flatbush, Brooklyn, noted.
“I was numb. It was a dark path…I felt I started losing myself,” he added.
All three patients expressed that marijuana is more accessible now than ever, with stronger strains available from both licensed shops and unregulated street vendors.
“You can see stuff you wouldn’t have thought possible. Local stores are selling marijuana now,” Shannon remarked.
The variety of flavored cannabis products seems to attract younger individuals, and they observed that available strains are “far more potent” than in years past.
Legalization has somewhat normalized cannabis use, which’s led some young people to feel it’s acceptable to indulge more casually, according to the patients.
As it stands, there are about 444 licensed cannabis shops throughout the state, nearly half located in the city.
“There’s no reason to hide it anymore,” Shannon said.
Buckner described legalization as a “double-edged sword.”
“It clouds judgment,” he said of marijuana.
Derrans, who started using cannabis at 14 to manage personal issues, shared that he eventually combined it with ecstasy, and mentioned that his mother faced struggles with addiction too.
He’s been through rehab three times already.
“Stopping is extremely hard once you start. Now, with easy access, it’s everywhere. You can even see pharmacies doing cannabis transactions. It’s just too accessible,” Derrans argued.
He reflected on the peer pressure faced in the community, mentioning more federal studies showing an uptick in cannabis users since legalization, skyrocketing from 19% of the U.S. population in 2021 to over 22% in recent surveys.
According to reports, over 15% of public high school students in the city were found to have used marijuana this past year.
Tamara Levin, clinical director at Camelot, pointed out that advocates for legalization might have downplayed the risks.
“Marijuana does have addictive properties and it can lead to serious issues,” Levin stated.
“People seem to think it’s fine simply because it’s legal. But it can destroy the lives of some individuals,” she cautioned.
The impacts of cannabis on young brains were among the reasons why the New York Medical Association had opposed its legalization.
In the wake of legalization, local prosecutors are now paying closer attention to misuse cases.
“Just like any drug, legal or illegal, marijuana can be misused and lead to harmful effects,” stated Staten Island District Attorney Daichel McMahon.
As co-chair of the Staten Island Fentanyl & Overdose Task Force, McMahon emphasized the need for continued support for treatment services.
