Welcome to the Every Brain Matters monthly newsletter. We are a non-profit organization developed by families negatively impacted by commercial marijuana.

*Throughout this newsletter, the terms ‘marijuana’ and ‘cannabis’ are used interchangeably to refer to the same substance.

We would like to express our gratitude to Julie Wernau from the Wall Street Journal for visiting Pueblo and writing an excellent article about the harms and costs of legal marijuana. The article featured Dr. Karen Randall, a board member of Every Brain Matters, and Director Aubree Adams, both of whom played a crucial role in connecting Julie with other key community members.

Bringing 28 years of law enforcement experience, including 22 years with the DEA, Cole has held various domestic and international positions in locations such as Washington, D.C., Texas, New York, Oklahoma, Colombia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Mexico. He eventually advanced to the role of acting Regional Director, overseeing operations in Mexico, Canada, and Central America.

After retiring from the DEA in 2020, Cole served as Virginia's Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. This extensive experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the key players in the drug trade, both domestically and internationally, including the powerful cartels that dominate the flow of drugs into the United States.

“As Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Terry Cole has done an outstanding job keeping Virginians safe…He will put the safety and security of Americans first as head of the DEA. It’s a great day to be an American and a bad day to be a drug dealer.”

~ Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia

During the previous administration, progressive policies were making strides toward rescheduling marijuana and, ultimately, broader legalization. However, with Cole now heading the DEA, the chances of this occurring in the near future seem significantly diminished. His background in traditional law enforcement has influenced his public stance, which consistently advocates for strict regulation of all controlled substances, including marijuana.

Advocacy In Action

SEED (Students Empowered to End Dependency) in Maine has released a powerful documentary featuring key voices and experts. The documentary is titled "The Cannabis Deception." We are grateful that SEED included the Every Brain Matters community in this vital project. A special thank you goes to Kobi Russell and Bryn Spejcher for their contributions. 

Let's Hold The Marijuana Industry Accountable!

If the marijuana industry's products have injured you or your loved one and you would like to learn more, don't hesitate to get in touch with seniorcounsel@civel.org.



Click here to access resources and legal information and connect with attorneys pursuing accountability and compliance.

“I hear stories all the time of the impacts of marijuana on people—and the really catastrophic impacts on them.”

~ Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services

Now that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as the new United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the marijuana paradigm has shifted considerably in the USA.

A Shift in Approach

During recent years, there has been a strong push to reschedule marijuana and to expand medical and recreational access to the drug.

As a presidential candidate, RFK supported cannabis legalization. As HHS Secretary, his approach appears more cautious and nuanced.”

For example, when asked if he agreed with the FDA’s conclusion that cannabis has some medical and/or therapeutic use and if he supported rescheduling, RFK answered, “…I look forward to reviewing the reasoning behind the FDA’s conclusion and following the law.”

He also declined to support the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act and the Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), saying he had not carried out a “deep study” of the proposed legislation.

Notably, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska stated, “RFK committed to me that he would follow the science on the harms of marijuana.”

These are the words of someone with an open mind.

Time to Speak Up

“Marijuana is harmful. We should definitely have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is: We should keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.”

~ Andy Harris, U.S. Representative for the State of Maryland

Representative Harris—who is also a Doctor—is absolutely right. Now is the time to make our voices heard. HHS Secretary Kennedy has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again,” and we have the unique opportunity to ensure he keeps that promise.

More than just an opportunity, it is also our responsibility.

Suppose you or someone you care about has been harmed by marijuana or the normalization of marijuana in America. In that case, we encourage you to share your unique story with RFK Jr. using this email: secretary@hhs.gov.



More powerful than dry statistics alone, your personal stories put a face on the drug crisis in this country and show how it impacts individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Through our Dispensing The Truth Project, Every Brain Matters provides communities with essential educational resources to combat marijuana misinformation. The following graphics are available for free download. Clicking on the graphics will take you to the studies.

We are grateful to announce that Every Brain Matters and associated parents were part of this study, the first of its kind. Thank you, Ellen Snelling, for connecting us with the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Misconceptions about marijuana as a "harmless substance" remain pervasive. Our mission is to empower the public and government officials with real stories from families who’ve experienced marijuana's devastating effects.



You can learn more about this project here.

This month, we are excited to highlight the essential role of advocacy in the recovery journey. Don't miss the chance to join us and discover how the Parents Action Network can make a difference! 

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