By: Jared Evan

A Staten Island drug treatment center is raising alarms over what it says is a surge in marijuana-related addiction cases following the legalization of recreational cannabis in New York – a claim that’s adding fuel to an already contentious public conversation.

According to a New York Post exclusive, Camelot Counseling reports that one in five of its current clients is battling marijuana dependency, a figure its leadership attributes to easier access and a shift in public perception since legalization. “It’s one of the stupidest things our society has done – they legalized cannabis during the opioid crisis,” said Luke Nasta, CEO of Camelot.

The Post highlighted testimonials from several young men in treatment who say their lives spiraled out of control due to heavy marijuana use, describing everything from disconnection from reality to mixing weed with opioids in search of a more intense high.

Dillet Delancey, 23, told the Post he began smoking at age 11. “Weed is the new cigarette,” he said, arguing it’s become too normalized. “Eventually it won’t get you high anymore, and you’re going to look for something greater.”

But critics of this narrative say it oversimplifies the issue and paints with too broad a brush. Millions of adults – across New York and the U.S. – use cannabis regularly without any signs of addiction or serious harm. Advocates for legalization often point out that marijuana is far less addictive and damaging than alcohol, a substance that contributes to over 140,000 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to CDC data. Cannabis, by contrast, has no known fatal overdose threshold.

Even the federal government’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, cited by the Post, reflects a rising number of users – more than 64 million Americans used marijuana in 2024 – but not a parallel surge in addiction diagnoses. While concerns about youth access and high-potency strains are valid and worth addressing, the broader trend also reflects destigmatization and safer, regulated access, according to public health experts.

Still, Camelot staff are firm in their belief that legalization has driven harm, particularly among young people. “The perception is that because it’s legal, it’s OK. But for some people, it destroys their lives,” said Tamara Levin, Camelot’s clinical director.

The Post reported that legal cannabis is now sold in over 440 licensed dispensaries across the state, along with unlicensed shops and even delis, making it easier than ever to obtain – a change that has some youth treatment providers worried. Patients told the Post they were surrounded by peer pressure, increasingly potent cannabis, and flavored options that appeal to teens.

Yet legalization wasn’t designed to promote use among minors. In fact, one goal was to eliminate black-market sales to teens and ensure product safety. Proponents argue that sensible regulations – combined with public education, age limits, and honest discussion – are better tools than prohibition.

As Staten Island District Attorney Michael Mc Mahon told the Post, “Marijuana, like any drug, legal or illegal, has the potential to be used and abused to deleterious effects.” But he also emphasized the importance of treatment and resources over criminal penalties, urging that support for addiction services be expanded.

While individual cases like those featured in the Post deserve empathy and attention, experts warn against generalizing them into policy. Most users are not addicts. Most addicts need help, not stigma.