Monthly News & Updates

Every Brain Matters (EBM) is a nonprofit founded as a project of Parents Opposed to Pot. Grounded in scientific research and real-life experience, EBM educates about the real risks of marijuana, advocates for public health and safety over profit and ideology, and provides compassionate family recovery support—so no one has to endure this pain alone. Together, we can protect our families and build a healthier, safer future—because Every Brain Truly Matters.

*Throughout this newsletter, the terms “marijuana” and “cannabis” are used interchangeably.

Honoring Families, Remembering Lives: Every Brain Matters Recognized by the White House!

We are deeply honored and grateful that the Every Brain Matters Memorial — created by families whose loved ones have died from the effects of marijuana — has been recognized in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s 2026 National Drug Control Strategy (page 71).

This acknowledgment brings national attention to the very real and devastating impact marijuana is having on individuals, families, and communities across our country — including lives tragically lost.

We extend our sincere appreciation to President Donald J. Trump, ONDCP Director Sara A. Carter, Dr. Ronett Lev, Chief Medical Officer and Assistant Director of the Office of Addiction Prevention, and their staff for recognizing the importance of this work and the voices of affected families.

The Every Brain Matters Memorial exists to honor those harmed by marijuana and to provide a place of remembrance, healing, and connection for grieving families. By sharing these stories, we help reduce stigma, raise awareness, and remind others facing similar loss that they are not alone.

As marijuana becomes increasingly normalized across the United States, growing evidence suggests the public health consequences may be far greater than many anticipated. This article explores rising concerns surrounding high-potency THC products, addiction, mental health harms, and the rapid commercialization of today’s cannabis industry. Drawing from emerging research and public health data, it raises an important question: Have we underestimated the risks associated with modern marijuana use?

👉 Click the image below to read the full article and learn why more families, researchers, physicians, and public health advocates are sounding the alarm about the impact of high-potency marijuana products.

Advocacy In Action

Big Announcement!

Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana (AALM) has announced a major advancement in the fight to hold the predatory addiction-for-profit marijuana industry accountable: a historic national class action lawsuit has now been filed against some of the largest cannabis corporations in the United States. The lawsuits allege widespread deception, failure to warn consumers, and the prioritization of profits over public health. This marks the beginning of what could ultimately become hundreds of lawsuits against the marijuana industry nationwide.

For years, families across America have sounded the alarm about the devastating harms linked to the commercialization and normalization of high-potency marijuana products. These lawsuits represent an important and long-overdue step toward truth, transparency, and accountability.

The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Illinois and Connecticut against major cannabis companies, including Cresco Labs, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, and Verano Holdings. The complaints allege systematic deceptive marketing practices, misleading health claims, and failure to adequately warn consumers about serious risks associated with marijuana use, including addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation, cardiovascular complications, and cannabis use disorder.

On behalf of the Every Brain Matters community and the countless families harmed by the legalization and commercialization of marijuana, we extend our deepest gratitude to Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana (AALM), Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators (CIVEL), and the courageous legal teams leading this effort.

We especially recognize and thank:

• Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
• Burke Law Group, P.L.L.C.
• Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley P.C.
• Pawa Law Group P.C.

for their leadership, courage, and unwavering commitment to standing with victims and families seeking justice.

As AALM President Carla Lowe stated:

“First it was Big Tobacco. Then it was Big Pharma in the opioid crisis. Now, it is the marijuana industry.”

This moment represents hope for families who have suffered in silence while an industry aggressively marketed addiction under the guise of wellness and medicine.

We are profoundly grateful to every advocate, attorney, researcher, whistleblower, harmed individual, and family member who helped bring us to this moment. Accountability matters. Truth matters. Protecting future generations matters.

If you would like to explore whether you or a loved one may qualify to be included in any of these lawsuits, or if you are seeking legal information and resources regarding harms associated with marijuana use, please contact us at:

📧 info@everybrainmatters.org

Families should also be aware that documentation is extremely important. In many cases, individuals may need to demonstrate that cannabis products were purchased from a state-regulated dispensary or licensed retail marijuana store.

Legal action guidance for families harmed by cannabis:

📄 https://everybrainmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/Legal-action-criteria-for-families-harmed-by-cannabis-1.2.2025.pdf



Links to the lawsuits and national press release:

📄 Cresco / Green Thumb / Verano Complaint

CRESCO.GTI.VERANO.COMPLAINT.pdf

📄 Curaleaf Complaint

CURALEAF.COMPLAINT.pdf

📄 National Press Release

PRESSER v. 3.docx

Every Brain Matters Family Advocates at the Rx Summit 2026

In April 2026, Every Brain Matters Family Advocates attended the prestigious Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, where we provided critical education and resources about the harms of marijuana and today’s high-potency cannabis products.

The response was extraordinary — the Every Brain Matters booth was among the most visited and most engaged exhibits at the conference. Our advocates connected with families, prevention leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers from across the country, engaging in meaningful conversations about prevention, mental health, addiction, and public awareness.

We were also honored to meet with White House staff from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to discuss the importance of prevention efforts, youth protection, public education, and mental health advocacy.

Every Brain Matters remains deeply committed to empowering communities through science-based education, compassionate advocacy, and honest conversations about the risks associated with modern high-potency marijuana products.

Interested in becoming part of the Every Brain Matters advocacy team? We would love to hear from you. Contact us at:

📧 info@everybrainmatters.org

Together, we are raising awareness, supporting families, and helping protect future generations.

This is what advocacy looks like.

Through our Dispensing Truth project, Every Brain Matters equips communities with the latest science-based tools to challenge marijuana misinformation using appealing graphics and clear facts. The following graphics are available for free and linked to the resources.

“Voices of Marijuana’s Harms” invites individuals and families to share personal stories that reveal the real human costs of marijuana legalization. As marijuana use becomes more widespread, its risks—addiction, psychosis, violence, illness, and impaired driving—are increasingly overlooked, affecting users and non-users alike. These harms represent a growing public health crisis. Every Brain Matters elevates these voices to show that current policies are failing and that urgent action is needed. To share your story, contact us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

Cannabis exposure is an increasingly overlooked danger for pets as marijuana products become more accessible, commercially available, and highly potent.

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, more than 6,200 marijuana toxicity cases involving pets were reported in 2021, increasing to over 6,300 cases by 2024. While most exposures are not fatal, one study documented 16 cannabis-related pet deaths, many involving marijuana edibles.

Dogs are especially vulnerable, often ingesting edibles or cannabis products left within reach. Because pets are far more sensitive to THC than humans, even small amounts can lead to serious symptoms, including disorientation, vomiting, loss of coordination, tremors, seizures, and, in severe cases, coma.

Although many animals recover with prompt veterinary care, the continued rise in marijuana-related poisonings highlights the urgent need for greater public awareness and prevention to help avoid these entirely preventable exposures.

🐾 Read Dixie’s story below and share it with your community to help protect pets and raise awareness about the dangers of cannabis exposure.

Join Our Support Meetings!

Join Every Brain Matters for our upcoming Monthly Speakers Meeting featuring Marti Roveda, founder of Equanimity Parent Coaching, on May 13 at 7:00 PM CDT.

After experiencing the devastating impact of high-potency THC and substance use disorder within her own family, Marti dedicated her life to helping other parents navigate these challenges with hope, healing, and support. Her work combines lived experience, neuroscience-informed parenting, and compassionate advocacy to empower families facing today’s drug culture realities.

This powerful and encouraging conversation is designed for parents, families, advocates, educators, and anyone seeking greater understanding, prevention, and recovery support.

We invite you to join us for this free online event and be part of a community focused on healing, education, and hope.

👉 Register here: https://everybrainmatters.org/event/monthly-speakers-meeting-marti-roveda-equanimity-parent-coaching/

Join Every Brain Matters for our upcoming Monthly Speakers Meeting featuring Kimber Erickson, co-founder and executive director of The Kellen Cares Foundation, on June 10 at 7:00 PM CDT.

After the tragic loss of her son Kellen to suicide at age 19, Kimber dedicated her life to supporting the mental health and well-being of boys and young men. Through The Kellen Cares Foundation, she works to reduce stigma, strengthen community connection, and provide resources and support for families and youth.

This meaningful and hope-filled conversation will focus on mental health awareness, prevention, healing, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for young people and families navigating today’s challenges.

We invite parents, families, educators, advocates, healthcare professionals, and community members to join us for this free online event and be part of an important conversation centered on healing, connection, and hope.

👉 Register here: https://everybrainmatters.org/event/kimber-erickson-keller-cares-foundation/

Join our bi-weekly online support group led by a licensed professional counselor for families impacted by a loved one’s marijuana use. This compassionate, confidential space offers practical recovery tools and peer support for challenges such as addiction, psychosis, and other harmful behaviors. Families learn the 3 C’s of addiction—we didn’t cause it, can’t control it, and can’t cure it—and explore a hopeful fourth C: how to contribute to healing and strengthen relationships. Whether you’re just beginning or well into the journey, all are welcome. Donations are appreciated but never required. Learn more here.