In a quiet Alabama suburb with rows of white fences and perfectly cut lawns, a story is unfolding that seems almost unbelievable at first glance. Stacy Allen, a 41‑year‑old mother of two and a successful photographer, spends her evenings much like other parents—putting the kids to bed, tidying up, and settling into her cream‑colored sofa. But then, something unexpected happens. She reaches for what looks like an ordinary gummy candy, takes a small bite, and begins to unwind in a way that has sparked national debate.
Inside that gummy is a derivative of cannabis. Within an hour, Allen feels calmer, more relaxed, as if the weight of the day has lifted. She compares it to sipping a glass of wine after a long day, but instead of alcohol, she gets a mild high. What makes this so surprising is not her experience—it’s where she lives. Alabama, a conservative southern state, is not the place most people imagine when they think of legal cannabis use. Yet because of complex loopholes in federal law, it is perfectly legal for her to buy certain products containing delta‑8 or delta‑9 THC and have them shipped to her home.
Her story is one of millions. Thirteen years after Colorado and Washington first legalized recreational cannabis, the United States has embraced it in ways few predicted. Today, more Americans use cannabis daily than drink alcohol. In 2023, cannabis sales topped $35 billion and generated more than $4 billion in tax revenue. Nearly 80 percent of Americans live in a county with at least one dispensary, and gummies—candy-like edibles infused with cannabis—have become one of the fastest‑growing sectors of the market.
But behind the numbers is a growing unease. These gummies, often sold in colorful boxes with names like “soothing” or “inspiring,” can contain wildly different levels of THC. Some are mild; others pack a punch. Because laws differ state by state, regulation is inconsistent. Medical experts are warning about potent new strains and the potential risks of frequent use, particularly for young people.
Even as the market surges, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 substance under federal law, grouped with drugs like heroin and cocaine. Crossing state lines with it is illegal, yet businesses continue to thrive by operating separate facilities in each state. Executives describe the legal gray areas as “operational nightmares,” but the demand keeps growing.
Back in Alabama, Allen says she was once the kind of person who followed every rule. She never touched weed in high school, believing it was dangerous. But after trying it years later on a trip to Colorado, she found that gummies offered her a new way to unwind—controlled, discreet, and, in her experience, more predictable than alcohol. Now, she says, she’s not alone. Other mothers at the school gate quietly admit they do the same.
Her friend and hairdresser, Becca McGee, even hosts low‑key evenings with friends where, instead of cocktails, guests share tiny slices of gummies and talk late into the night. McGee calls herself “California sober,” meaning she uses cannabis but doesn’t drink. She locks her gummies in a safe bag at home, explaining she wants to model responsible use for her kids.
These moms want everyone to know you can use cannabis and still be a responsible parent pic.twitter.com/mCI7Qf3p4l
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) May 14, 2018
While supporters say these products help them sleep, manage stress, or ease pain, others are warning that today’s high‑potency cannabis is nothing like what existed decades ago. Doctors studying its effects point to rising cases of cannabis use disorder and note that products like delta‑9 gummies are far stronger than many realize.
Sadly, there are many more stories like the following:
And while I have your attention: high parents kill kids. All the time. Marijuana reduces empathy and motivation and enhances sensation – a bad combination if you are caring for an infant.
Cannabis causes kids to die terribly, and anyone who disagrees hasn’t looked at the cases. https://t.co/tHEEyhxJhp pic.twitter.com/kcDC6yItNI
— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) July 1, 2025
11-year-old NYC boy overdoses and was taken to the ER after eating over 2,000 milligrams worth of THC in gummies & tinctures🙏🏾🤲🏾 pic.twitter.com/O8d14p2UUG
— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) February 25, 2023
And yet, this movement shows no signs of slowing. The story of a mother in Alabama enjoying a gummy on her porch is just one glimpse of a country wrestling with its own shifting boundaries—legal, cultural, and personal. Whether this new wave of cannabis use is a revolution in relaxation or a ticking time bomb is a question many are still afraid to answer. But one thing is clear: this story is only beginning. Stay tuned.
