The
pot people smoke today is not the same thing that parent smoked two
decades ago. Today, marijuana has been found to be more potent than what
was sold years back. This is according to a new study conducted on more
than 38,600 samples of legal pot. The research found that the level of
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) had increased by about 8% to a new high of
12%.
In a research conducted by Charas
Scientific, one of the few labs authorized to run potency tests of
marijuana in Colorado, the potency was found to have increased by a
factor of three. The Founder and director of research in the lab went
further to state that the average potencies were close to 20% THC.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main
psychoactive compound contained in marijuana, which gives the feeling of
being high. Andy LaFrate, who is the founder of the research facility,
said it was surprising how strong potency of marijuana has been adding
that, during the research, they come across potency values close to 30%
THC, which is quite high.
Health Concerns
The new findings, compared to the 4% THC
levels in 1980s is a dramatic increase. According to the National
Institute on Drug Abuse, potency of pot has been on a steady rise over
the last two decades but the new levels of 20 or 30% THC is the highest
reported by the institute in the recent times. In 2012, the National
Institute on Drug Abuse reported that weed confiscated by the
authorities nationwide returned an average THC level of about 15%.
According to the agency, this high
concentration level in marijuana can only mean increased chances of
users suffering from severe and unpredictable reactions, especially in
the new pot users. The frequent users on the other hand are likely to
stand at great risks of addiction. The high potent marijuana has also
been linked to the increased number of emergency room visits related to
the use of marijuana.
No comments:
Post a Comment