Most people don’t realize that this is not your relatively-benign, 1960’s hippie marijuana.
In November 2016, California, Nevada and Massachusetts voted to approve legalizing recreational marijuana use. Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Maine already allow recreational marijuana. Twenty-eight states plus the District of Columbia allow “medical” marijuana use.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active ingredient that stimulates CB1 receptors resulting in the “high” of marijuana) was found in concentrations of approximately 1-2% percent in that 1960’s pot. By the 1980’s, higher THC concentrations of “sinsemilla” marijuana were being cultivated in places like Humboldt County, California and in Oregon. The THC levels then were approximately 4-6%.
Flash forward to today’s new marijuana industry.
THC concentrations in medical and recreational marijuana range from 19-30%. In the quest to deliver ever-increasing potency (and, one would assume, marketability) extracts (“wax”, “dabs”) have THC concentrations of 85-95%! Edibles (candy, cookies, etc. containing THC) are deceivingly packaged with 300-400% of what would be considered a recreational dose of THC. (Think of that small bag of chips you recently purchased with “only 120 calories per serving”. Reading the fine print, you find that there are four servings per container!)
Here are some facts:
- Marijuana is addictive. Approximately 10% of people using marijuana will become addicted. In these users, dependence, tolerance and withdrawal are evident – just like with other drugs of abuse. Some withdrawal symptoms include extreme agitation, irritability, anger, sleeplessness, restlessness, inability to focus, etc. There is a strong compulsion to get and use this drug, despite adverse consequences.
- Studies have shown an 8% drop in IQ for regular, heavy users. Stopping use does not return IQ to previously higher levels.
- Higher levels of THC have increased reported cases of psychosis (both temporary and permanent).
- Higher levels of THC (and synthetic cannabinoids) have increased cases of homicide, accidental death, seizures, flashbacks (hallucinogen persisting disorder) and uncontrollable vomiting (Hyperemesis syndrome).
- There are approximately 2000 different chemicals produced by smoking marijuana. Insecticide, fungus, rodenticide and solvents are regularly found in confiscated marijuana.
- Increased levels of heart disease and cancer are noted in regular marijuana users.
- Fatal car crashes related to driving under the influence of marijuana have doubled.
- After legalizing recreational marijuana in Colorado, emergency room visits tripled; poison control calls quintupled!
Ask yourself what the true motivation is behind this “medical” marijuana industry:
Is THC the chemical responsible for the “medical” effects of marijuana? No!
The pain relief, anti-nausea and other positive benefits people report are tied to cannabidiol (CBD) stimulating the body’s CB2 receptors. CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. Recall that THC stimulates CB1 receptors.
THC is a psychoactive substance and is responsible for the euphoric and other “high” effects users report from marijuana and cannabis products.
Unfortunately, higher levels of CBD tend to offset the euphoric effects of THC. Hence the race to ever-higher concentrations of THC.
Really think this is a good idea?
Clients often justify marijuana and cannabis products’ use by stating “But it’s a natural, God-given substance!” Well, so is alcohol. So is opium. And so is arsenic. And the poison arrow tree frog. And botulinum toxin, the deadliest substance on Earth.
Parents, you should not be looking the other way – “Hey, a little pot is not a big deal.” It is. Ninety percent of adult addicts started their (any psychoactive substance) drug use before age 18. Only 4% started after age 21.
While it’s true marijuana will not kill you in a respiratory depression overdose as heroin, opiates and alcohol may, it can easily kill you in many other ways – fast or slow.
Don’t buy into the hype.
Primary reference for this blog:
2015. Inaba, Dr. Darryl S. A Scientific Perspective on Marijuana on the Eve of Its Legalization. Advances in Addiction and Recovery. Vol. 3 No. 2