Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: Hour 3 - The Social Cost of Weed
Air Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Special Guest: Alex Berenson

Overview

In this hour, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton dive deep into the social, cultural, and health impacts of marijuana legalization, prompted by a recent New York Times editorial reconsidering its past pro-legalization stance. Special guest Alex Berenson—author and journalist known for his critiques of cannabis policy—joins to discuss the consequences of widespread marijuana use and the potency of modern cannabis products. The show features spirited discussion, notable statistics, personal and listener anecdotes, and robust debate with both supporters and critics of the hosts' views.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The New York Times Has Second Thoughts on Legalization

• Clay and Buck reference a recent NYT editorial reevaluating marijuana legalization, acknowledging unanticipated negative impacts ([00:40]).
• “More people use marijuana daily than alcohol daily.” – Clay Travis ([00:40])

2. Youth Use: Cannabis vs. Alcohol

• Clay asks Berenson: Which is the greater health concern for regular use: alcohol or cannabis?
• Alex Berenson: “If we're talking about starting as a teenager, I would definitely want them to consume alcohol instead of cannabis because cannabis is much more likely to cause them really severe psychiatric health problems if they start using as a teenager.” ([02:00])

3. The Real Risks of Modern Marijuana

• Potency Surge: THC levels in cannabis have skyrocketed, with flower increasing from 1–5% to 20–30%, and vape products often exceeding 60–90% THC ([03:20], [25:53], [26:49], [27:21]).
  • “It’s like you used to drink a beer, and all of a sudden the beer is whiskey.” – Alex Berenson ([03:31])
• Addiction: Cannabis is “psychologically very addictive,” especially with high-potency products ([03:55]).
• Mental illness risk: Heavy, early use can significantly increase the risk of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia ([04:50]).
• Notable quote: “Your risk of developing a psychotic disorder, usually schizophrenia, is much higher than people realize.” – Alex Berenson ([05:54])
• Health Effects: Issues such as memory problems, apathy, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome ("scromiting"), and increased risk for car accidents and violence ([07:24], [07:53]).

4. Misconceptions about 'Naturalness' and Safety

• Modern vape products are far from “natural,” often involving chemical extraction reminiscent of nicotine vapes ([04:20]).
  • “[Cannabis vapes are] about as natural—actually less natural—than your average cigarette.” – Alex Berenson ([04:54])

5. Failed Policy Expectations and Regulatory Nightmares

• The idea that legalization would pay for schools and eliminate illegal sales has mostly failed, particularly due to continued illicit markets and difficulties taxing at high rates ([09:04]).
• Regulating THC content is chaotic for law enforcement: “It's hard to imagine a bigger nightmare than that.” – Alex Berenson ([09:30])
• The main issue, Berenson says, is cultural: “We have to be honest. It’s an addictive, dangerous product that a lot of people can't use safely.” ([09:55])

6. Alcohol vs. Cannabis: Societal Roles

• Clay & Buck observe that many societies function with prevalent alcohol use but see sharp pushback when cannabis becomes widespread ([10:23], [11:40]).
• Alcohol is described as a “pro-social drug”—enhancing group interaction—while cannabis tends to be more isolating ([13:00]).
  • “Alcohol is a pretty good intoxicant to pick ... it’s also a pro social drug.” – Alex Berenson ([13:22])
  • “Cannabis ... just puts people in rooms in their basements watching TV.” ([13:55])
• Historical attempts to integrate cannabis at society-wide scale—e.g., India, Mexico—have typically sparked a reversal ([11:40]).

7. Anecdotes and Listener Calls

• Several heartfelt listener calls illustrate both negative and neutral/positive experiences:

  • Sam (Virginia): Reports his son developed anxiety and became withdrawn after using cannabis heavily ([22:41]).
  • Dan (San Antonio): Argues that cannabis use leads to passivity rather than risky behavior like drunk driving ([23:22]).
  • Dan (Arizona): A daily cannabis user admits modern products are “massively different,” describes higher psychosis risk ([24:52]).
  • Dan (Pennsylvania): Shares his son's cannabis addiction, describing a “slow, downhill spiral” with serious consequences ([29:44]).

• The hosts note that while some highly successful people use cannabis regularly, public policy should focus on aggregate effects ([25:56]).

8. Public Reaction and Pushback

• The show receives a surge of both supportive and critical feedback, reflecting deep divisions on marijuana in the audience ([17:56], [20:26]).
• Clay observes, “I think we are gonna get lit up in the emails ... We got a lot of weed smoking boomers in this audience that I can tell you.” ([17:56])

9. The Potency Problem in Context

• Buck Sexton: “In 1995 when the DEA seized pot, THC in the pot was about 4%. ... Today it’s 90% or more. So you're talking about 20 times as potent.” ([26:49])
• Clay likens this to comparing ordinary beer vs. Bacardi 151—“the dosage makes the poison.” ([27:21])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alex Berenson: “We have to be honest. It’s an addictive, dangerous product that a lot of people can't use safely.” ([09:55])
• Clay Travis: “Western civilization was built with a lot of people drinking wine. Ask anybody who goes to church.” ([15:34])
• Buck Sexton: “I think a lot of parents ... have been convinced that their kids smoking pot is not a big deal. ... I think you need to be more concerned about it than you are.” ([29:20])
• Clay Travis (on policy): “You have to know what is true in the main ... when you're making these kinds of decisions about society and policy.” ([25:56])
• Alex Berenson: “The dosage makes the poison is a common phrase ... It’s absolutely true about the THC and marijuana situation right now.” ([28:16])

Important Timestamps

• 00:40: NYT editorial reconsiders marijuana legalization; more daily marijuana than alcohol use.
• 01:59: Berenson: alcohol safer than cannabis for youth.
• 03:20–04:54: Modern cannabis potency; vaping and “naturalness” myth.
• 05:54: Cannabis and psychosis risk.
• 07:24–09:04: Law enforcement, public health, and policy consequences.
• 13:00: Alcohol as “pro-social,” cannabis as isolating.
• 17:56: Prediction of strong listener reactions.
• 22:41–30:52: Listener calls, personal stories of cannabis use and impact.
• 26:49: Rise in THC concentrations since 1995.
• 28:16: “Dosage makes the poison”—potency discussion.
• 29:20: Buck's caution to parents on modern marijuana.
• 30:52: Dan (PA): story of son’s cannabis addiction.

Tone & Style

• The hosts maintain a frank, provocative, and sometimes humorous tone befitting their audience.
• Alex Berenson is forthright, data-driven, and insistent on societal risk, while also acknowledging nuance.
• Listener feedback adds a diverse set of perspectives, from dismissive and indignant to grave and concerned.

Conclusion

This episode challenges prevailing narratives around marijuana legalization and safety, elevating concerns about mental health, addiction, youth use, and the implications of increasingly potent cannabis products. The show blends scientific evidence, cultural context, and real-world anecdotes. It invites listeners, including many pro-cannabis voices, to critically consider the true social costs of weed.