Life Study: Marijuana potency increases in 2007

**DaKCMan AP** · 06-12-2008, 09:30 AM

Study: Marijuana potency increases in 2007

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press WriterThu Jun 12, 7:21 AM ET

Marijuana potency increased last year to the highest level in more than 30 years, posing greater health risks to people who may view the drug as harmless, according to a report released Thursday by the White House.

The latest analysis from the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project tracked the average amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in samples seized by law enforcement agencies from 1975 through 2007. It found that the average amount of THC reached 9.6 percent in 2007, compared with 8.75 percent the previous year.

The 9.6 percent level represents more than a doubling of marijuana potency since 1983, when it averaged just under 4 percent.

"Today's report makes it more important than ever that we get past outdated, anachronistic views of marijuana," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He cited baby boomer parents who might have misguided notions that the drug contains the weaker potency levels of the 1970s.

"Marijuana potency has grown steeply over the past decade, with serious implications in particular for young people," Walters said. He cited the risk of psychological, cognitive and respiratory problems, and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

While the drug's potency may be rising, marijuana users generally adjust to the level of potency and smoke it accordingly, said Dr. Mitch Earleywine, who teaches psychology at the State University of New York in Albany and serves as an adviser for marijuana advocacy groups. "Stronger cannabis leads to less inhaled smoke," he said.

The White House office attributed the increases in marijuana potency to sophisticated growing techniques that drug traffickers are using at sites in the United States and Canada.

A report from the office last month found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed — 25 percent compared with 12 percent. The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent.

"The increases in marijuana potency are of concern since they increase the likelihood of acute toxicity, including mental impairment," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which funded the University of Mississippi study.

"Particularly worrisome is the possibility that the more potent THC might be more effective at triggering the changes in the brain that can lead to addiction," Volkow said.

But there's no data showing that a higher potency in marijuana leads to more addiction, Earleywine said, and marijuana's withdrawal symptoms are mild at best. "Mild irritability, craving for marijuana and decreased appetite — I mean those are laughable when you talk about withdrawal from a drug. Caffeine is worse."

The project analyzed data on 62,797 cannabis samples, 1,302 hashish samples, and 468 hash oil samples obtained primarily from seizures by law enforcement agencies in 48 states since 1975.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/...9inI6cz.ys0NUE

Consistent1 · 06-12-2008, 09:34 AM

Haha. I guess that I am one of the few in the world that does not like pot. Doesn't work for me. Good post though.

CoMoChief · 06-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Yaaaaaawn.

There are far more worse things for your body like.........you know.......alcohol.

**DaFace** · 06-12-2008, 09:43 AM

I'm confused. Higher potency --> less smoke inhaled --> less chance of health issues, right? Wouldn't this be a good thing?

Consistent1 · 06-12-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Yaaaaaawn.

There are far more worse things for your body like.........you know.......alcohol.

Very true. I don't like "the smoke", but booze is much worse. If you can do what you do, and not have a problem....then, whatever is cool with me. I have been around so many smokers that I know it can be fine in most cases.

StcChief · 06-12-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

A report from the office last month found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed — 25 percent compared with 12 percent. The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent.

"The increases in marijuana potency are of concern since they increase the likelihood of acute toxicity, including mental impairment," said Dr. Nora Volkow

Yeah...these are significant findings from the old 3% days (60s/70s).

rambleonthruthefog · 06-12-2008, 09:48 AM

shocker. a white house drug policy in which we demonize pot without actual studies or facts. "were afraid it will lead to addiction to herion and cocaine." give me a break, neither of these drugs need pot to aid in the process. cigerettes are more dangerous than pot. i'm glad texas changed some of its pot policys.

Consistent1 · 06-12-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambleonthruthefog

shocker. a white house drug policy in which we demonize pot without actual studies or facts. "were afraid it will lead to addiction to herion and cocaine." give me a break, neither of these drugs need pot to aid in the process. cigerettes are more dangerous than pot. i'm glad texas changed some of its pot policys.

Yeah, it should be legal. I would still never buy it myself, but why should people have to risk their jobs by smoking?

**Skip Towne** · 06-12-2008, 10:02 AM

The marijuana witch hunt continues.

**chasedude** · 06-12-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambleonthruthefog

shocker. a white house drug policy in which we demonize pot without actual studies or facts. "were afraid it will lead to addiction to herion and cocaine." give me a break, neither of these drugs need pot to aid in the process. cigerettes are more dangerous than pot. i'm glad texas changed some of its pot policys.

Yes policies need to change. Hemp would provide a better alternative for fuel than corn, a better fiber than polyester or cotton and has higher resistances to weeds and pests thus using less toxic chemicals to the environment.

Things will never change as long as the government sees it's only purpose is to get "high".

beach tribe · 06-12-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm confused. Higher potency --> less smoke inhaled --> less chance of health issues, right? Wouldn't this be a good thing?

You are correct DaFace.

I don't smoke pot much, but enough to realize that "Crippy", or "kind buds", and "kush" have certainly pushed the "shwag" right out of business here in south FL.

Last longer, better buzz, and less of it is smoked.

kcxiv · 06-12-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm confused. Higher potency --> less smoke inhaled --> less chance of health issues, right? Wouldn't this be a good thing?

The US government doesnt want you to see any of that. Weed is something they can NEVER tax or sell, so they dont give a shit about it.

Consistent1 · 06-12-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedude

Yes policies need to change. Hemp would provide a better alternative for fuel than corn, a better fiber than polyester or cotton and has higher resistances to weeds and pests thus using less toxic chemicals to the environment.

Things will never change as long as the government sees it's only purpose is to get "high".

Dude, don't take this wrong. My friends used to always say that we could make better clothes and all that shit. lmao, people just want to smoke it, and that is alright.

beach tribe · 06-12-2008, 10:14 AM

A report from the office last month found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed — 25 percent compared with 12 percent. The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent.

Have they ever even considered, that maybe these kids were smoking because they were depressed.

I remember the kids who were doing the drugs in HS. I was one of them, and while I do not blame my situation for my actions, it was pretty apparent that almost all of us came from ****ed up families, and house holds.

Duck Dog · 06-12-2008, 10:23 AM

Whoever decided pot was worse than alcohol is an idiot. Let me rephrase that. Whoever still thinks pot is as harmful as alcohol, or as harmful as the bogus war on drugs tells us it is, is an idiot.

06-12-2008, 09:30 AM
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6724952	Study: Marijuana potency increases in 2007 Study: Marijuana potency increases in 2007 By HOPE YEN, Associated Press WriterThu Jun 12, 7:21 AM ET Marijuana potency increased last year to the highest level in more than 30 years, posing greater health risks to people who may view the drug as harmless, according to a report released Thursday by the White House. The latest analysis from the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project tracked the average amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in samples seized by law enforcement agencies from 1975 through 2007. It found that the average amount of THC reached 9.6 percent in 2007, compared with 8.75 percent the previous year. The 9.6 percent level represents more than a doubling of marijuana potency since 1983, when it averaged just under 4 percent. "Today's report makes it more important than ever that we get past outdated, anachronistic views of marijuana," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He cited baby boomer parents who might have misguided notions that the drug contains the weaker potency levels of the 1970s. "Marijuana potency has grown steeply over the past decade, with serious implications in particular for young people," Walters said. He cited the risk of psychological, cognitive and respiratory problems, and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin. While the drug's potency may be rising, marijuana users generally adjust to the level of potency and smoke it accordingly, said Dr. Mitch Earleywine, who teaches psychology at the State University of New York in Albany and serves as an adviser for marijuana advocacy groups. "Stronger cannabis leads to less inhaled smoke," he said. The White House office attributed the increases in marijuana potency to sophisticated growing techniques that drug traffickers are using at sites in the United States and Canada. A report from the office last month found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed — 25 percent compared with 12 percent. The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent. "The increases in marijuana potency are of concern since they increase the likelihood of acute toxicity, including mental impairment," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which funded the University of Mississippi study. "Particularly worrisome is the possibility that the more potent THC might be more effective at triggering the changes in the brain that can lead to addiction," Volkow said. But there's no data showing that a higher potency in marijuana leads to more addiction, Earleywine said, and marijuana's withdrawal symptoms are mild at best. "Mild irritability, craving for marijuana and decreased appetite — I mean those are laughable when you talk about withdrawal from a drug. Caffeine is worse." The project analyzed data on 62,797 cannabis samples, 1,302 hashish samples, and 468 hash oil samples obtained primarily from seizures by law enforcement agencies in 48 states since 1975. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/...9inI6cz.ys0NUE
Posts: 35,695

06-12-2008, 09:34 AM	#2
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	Haha. I guess that I am one of the few in the world that does not like pot. Doesn't work for me. Good post though.
Posts: 3,096

06-12-2008, 09:41 AM	#3
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	Yaaaaaawn. There are far more worse things for your body like.........you know.......alcohol. __________________
Posts: 39,160

06-12-2008, 09:43 AM	#4
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1956899	I'm confused. Higher potency --> less smoke inhaled --> less chance of health issues, right? Wouldn't this be a good thing?
Posts: 51,816

06-12-2008, 09:48 AM	#7
rambleonthruthefog Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $5565026	shocker. a white house drug policy in which we demonize pot without actual studies or facts. "were afraid it will lead to addiction to herion and cocaine." give me a break, neither of these drugs need pot to aid in the process. cigerettes are more dangerous than pot. i'm glad texas changed some of its pot policys.
Posts: 1,401

06-12-2008, 10:02 AM	#9
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	The marijuana witch hunt continues.
Posts: 69,689

06-12-2008, 10:14 AM	#14
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4788036	A report from the office last month found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed — 25 percent compared with 12 percent. The study said marijuana use increased the risk of developing mental disorders by 40 percent. Have they ever even considered, that maybe these kids were smoking because they were depressed. I remember the kids who were doing the drugs in HS. I was one of them, and while I do not blame my situation for my actions, it was pretty apparent that almost all of us came from ****ed up families, and house holds.
Posts: 21,429

06-12-2008, 10:23 AM	#15
Duck Dog Reap the whirlwind Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $10004900	Whoever decided pot was worse than alcohol is an idiot. Let me rephrase that. Whoever still thinks pot is as harmful as alcohol, or as harmful as the bogus war on drugs tells us it is, is an idiot.
Posts: 8,902