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Tag: marijuana use

  • Critics Respond To Malcolm Gladwell's Controversial Cannabis Article

    Critics Respond To Malcolm Gladwell's Controversial Cannabis Article

    In a recent New Yorker feature Gladwell makes the case that marijuana is not as “safe as we think.”

    Journalist Malcolm Gladwell’s recent feature in The New Yorker about the possible connections between marijuana use and paranoid/psychotic behavior has drawn fierce critical responses from both cannabis consumers and fellow writers alike.

    A new editorial in The Atlantic crystallizes the core issues that opponents have voiced about the story: In citing former Los Angeles Times reporter Alex Berenson’s book Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence, both Gladwell and Berenson appear to be making broad assumptions about the potential for marijuana use to incite paranoia, schizophrenia and violent behavior based on research and anecdotes that do not reach the conclusions that the authors state.

    As James Hamblin, who wrote the Atlantic piece, noted, Gladwell and Berenson’s assertions are the “public-intellectual equivalent of just sayin’.”

    In the New Yorker story, Gladwell sought to make the case that marijuana is not as safe a drug as proponents claim it to be. His primary source for this assertion is Berenson’s book, which cites statistics from the state of Washington, which at first blush, seem to indicate that murder and aggravated-assault rates rose by 40% between 2013 and 2017 — the period immediately before and after the state legalized recreational marijuana.

    Berenson also cited a 2017 report on the health effects of cannabis by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), which found “substantial evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and the development of schizophrenia or other psychoses.”

    But as Hamblin and others note, Gladwell appears to focus less on the wealth of inconclusive or conflicting results found in both sources, as well as the many other factors that contribute to mental illness and violent behavior.

    Gladwell writes, “We don’t know that an increase in cannabis use was responsible for that surge in violence” in Washington State. Nor do Gladwell or Berenson appear to mention that the NAM research also found statistical evidence of a link between “cannabis use and better cognitive performance among individuals with psychotic disorders,” as well as “moderate evidence of no statistical association between cannabis use and worsening of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.”

    As Hamblin and science writer Dave Levitan both noted, there are two issues at hand with Gladwell and Berenson’s assertions. One is a cherry-picking of data to prove a point: In regard to the statistics about Washington, Levitan noted that while the state did experience an increase in murders between 2013 and 2017, the rate actually fell between 2015 and 2016. Additionally, the murder rate from 2012 to 2017 actually only increased by 3%. So, as Levitan wrote, “Which murder rate do you use?”

    Both authors also noted that Gladwell and Berenson continually confuse correlation with causation. As Hamblin writes, “Berenson argues that if marijuana can cause psychotic breaks from reality, and psychotic people are more inclined to violence, marijuana is a cause of violence.” Levitan breaks it down even further: “Crime tends to spike in the summer; so does ice cream consumption. Did all that ice cream cause the crime?”

    Ultimately, what emerges from Gladwell and Berenson’s narratives is the undeniable fact that more research into cannabis is necessary. But linking its use to mental illness and violence will actually make such efforts more difficult. Hamblin cited Yasmin Hurd, director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who said, “Many people who are making the decisions about funding going to the [National Institute of Health] and other organizations will now say that we should have a moratorium on a drug that increases murder. Why would we want to do that and put people’s lives at risk?”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Does Pot Use Really Affect Sperm Count?

    Does Pot Use Really Affect Sperm Count?

    A Duke University study explored the possible correlation between THC concentrations in urine and viable sperm count.

    The research on whether marijuana can have a detrimental effect on sperm production in men has produced varying results, with some studies suggesting that usage may result in a lower sperm count and/or abnormal sperm genetics, while others claim no correlation exists.

    New research from Duke University Medical Center supports the former position by showing that high concentrations of THC – the compound in marijuana that produces a euphoric response – in urine appeared to correspond to a lower sperm count as well as changes to the DNA structure of the sperm. Though the test subject group was limited to 24 participants, and additional research would be required to identify the specific risks of marijuana use to sperm, the study data did appear to correspond to results from previous studies.

    According to Live Science, the Duke University study – published in the journal Epigenics – is the first to illustrate the correlation between THC concentrations in urine and viable sperm count.

    Of the 24 participants – 12 of which were marijuana users and 12 of which were not – the sperm concentration in the latter group was twice as high as that of the former group. The study also noted epigenetic changes in sperm DNA among the former group – alterations to the “chemical tags,” as Live Science described them, that regulate gene expression. 

    The higher the concentration of THC in the test group’s urine, the more significant the changes to the sperm DNA, most notably in genes that help bodily organs reach their full size and for basic growth during development. A corresponding study on rats revealed a similar pattern in the same genes. However, such changes may not be permanent; sperm, damaged or not, are reabsorbed in the body if not ejaculated after 70 days.

    As lead author Susan Murphy – chief of the Division of Reproductive Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke – noted, “The sperm DNA . . . is not mutated in the traditional sense” by marijuana, and “epigenic alterations can affect gene regulation without changing the DNA sequence.” 

    Ultimately, the study could not determine whether the changes to sperm count and DNA determined by their study had an actual effect on fertilization or offspring, but Susan Murphy suggested that damaged sperm could have an adverse effect if it resulted in a viable embryo. In that case, individuals who are trying to conceive should consider abstaining from marijuana use 

    “In the absence of a larger, definitive study, the best advice would be to assume these changes are going to be there [in sperm],” she noted. “I would say, as a precaution, stop using cannabis for at least six months before trying to conceive.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Marijuana Laws in Nevada

    Marijuana Laws in Nevada

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW:Nevada is one of the ten states in America where marijuana is legalized, both medically and recreationally. Yet, with legalization comes a set of laws and regulations many aren’t aware of. This article outlines these laws and the penalties the state levies if you break them.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Is Marijuana Legal in Nevada?

    Yes. Marijuana is legal for recreational and medical use in Nevada.

    Marijuana became medically legal in 1998 under the Nevada Medical Marijuana Act to anyone over 18 with a proper medical card issued through a doctor. Marijuana became legal for recreational use in 2014 to anyone over the age of 21 via the Initiative to Regulate and Tax Marijuana.

    However, legality doesn’t mean complete freedom on the use, possession, sale, or trafficking of weed. Just like alcohol, there are regulations surrounding the newly legalized drug in order to make sure people are safe and responsible with their consumption.

    It should be noted, just because cannabis is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe. Just as with alcohol, there are side effects to marijuana that people tend to overlook.

    Furthermore, laws aren’t completely set in stone yet. Since the state of Nevada is responsible for all regulations surrounding cannabis – and not the federal government – there are changes being made to the rules consistently. For example, in California, it recently became a law for people with prior marijuana convictions are eligible to have charges expunged from their records. Though a law as such hasn’t been set forth in Nevada, it’s very possible we’ll witness some changes in the near future.

    The importance of mentioning this is to be informed that lawmakers are still trying to figure out how to make legal cannabis work.

    Marijuana Laws in Nevada

    According to Nevada’s state website, anyone over the age of 21 is allowed to:

    • Possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
    • Possess up to ⅛ of an ounce (3.5 grams) of concentrates.
    • Possess up to 6 marijuana plants per person (no more than 12 in a household).

    However, there are regulations surrounding these allowances. In terms of possession and consumption:

    • It’s illegal to consume marijuana in public.
    • It’s illegal to consume marijuana in a vehicle, even if you are a passenger.
    • It’s illegal to use marijuana under the age of 21.
    • It’s illegal to pose as someone else as a means of obtaining marijuana.
    • It’s illegal to give marijuana to a minor (charges will be higher if the minor is under 18).
    • It’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
    • It’s illegal to purchase marijuana from anywhere other than a state-licensed store.

    In terms of growing plants, the following regulations are set in place:

    • You must grow plants within an enclosed area such as a closet or greenhouse with a locked door to limit access to them.
    • You cannot plant marijuana in a place that’s visible from a public place.
    • You must grow plants on your own property and, if you live on a property you don’t own, you must get permission to grow from the owner of the property.
    • You may not grow cannabis within 25 miles of a state-licensed store, in a place which is visible to the public, or on a property you don’t own/don’t have permission to plant on.

    Penalties

    Penalties will be charged to people who don’t follow the above rules. The general penalties are.

    Furthermore, it remains highly illegal across the country to traffic marijuana. You’re only allowed possession of a large amount if you have a state license to either sell through a store or cultivate cannabis. If you’re caught transporting or importing without a license, you will be charged with a felony, even if you’re unaware of the drug’s presence.

    These laws and penalties are structured under NRS 453.3385. Each penalty depends on how much marijuana you’re in possession of when you’re caught:

    Low-Level Trafficking If you’re in possession of 50 pounds, but less than 1,000 pounds, you’ll be charged with a Category C Felony.
    Mid-Level Trafficking If you’re in possession of 1,000 pounds, but less than 5,000 pounds, you’ll be charged with a Category B Felony.
    Large-Level Trafficking If you’re in possession of 5,000 pounds or more, you’ll be charged with a Category A Felony.

    In order to get a sense of the consequences, the following list explains the typical penalties attached to each category of a felony within Nevada:

    Marijuana DUI

    Do not get high and drive!

    Marijuana DUIs work similarly to alcohol-related DUIs. If you’re under the age of 21, penalties may vary. However, most penalties are strict.

    When you receive your first DUI, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor which will result in the following consequences:

    • Between 2 days to 6 months in a state jail and/or up to 96 hours of community service.
    • A fine which will range between $400 and $1,000.
    • A Nevada driving under the influence school.
    • The Nevada Victim Panel (also known as a MADD lecture).
    • 90-day driver’s suspension.

    When you receive a second DUI, you can expect:

    • Up to 6 months in a state jail and/or residential confinement.
    • A fine which will be no more than $1,000.
    • A drug and alcohol treatment program.
    • The Nevada Victim Impact Panel.
    • 1-year driver’s license suspension.

    When you receive a third DUI, you can expect:

    • Between 1 to 6 years in prison.
    • A fine which will be no more than $5,000.
    • Alcohol and drug evaluations and/or alcohol and drug treatment.
    • The Nevada Victim Impact Panel.
    • 3-year driver’s license suspension.

    It should be noted that if a DUI inflicts either pain or death, you will be prosecuted under harsher penalties. In many cases, just hurting someone results in a Category B Felony which results in 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.

    Also, if you have previous DUI charges against you and get another which results in the death of another person, you’ll automatically be charged with a Category A felony. This will get you betweeen 25 years to life imprisonment without possibility of parole until after 10 years.

    If you are under the influence of marijuana and need a ride, it’s important to remember you have options other than driving yourself. These include:

    1. Calling a sober friend to pick you up.
    2. Calling a ride-sharing service, such as Uber or Lyft.
    3. Using public transportation, such as a taxi, bus, or train.

    Views on Marijuana

    Recreational cannabis was barely won in the state of Nevada – the final vote resulted in a 54 to 46 split. In fact, if you were to look at a map of the vote, you’ll notice the majority of regions in Nevada were against marijuana legalization. Therefore, we can’t define the entire state’s views on marijuana through the fact that it’s legalized.

    Just as with California, each county has its own rules and regulations when it comes to cannabis consumption. Though the law has been embraced within the areas surrounding Las Vegas and Reno, most of the state hasn’t set up marijuana dispensaries. And they may not feel any need to in the near future.

    This is important to note because though it’s legal to consume cannabis throughout the entire state, it’s illegal to purchase marijuana from sources besides state-licensed dispensaries. Therefore, those in the regions without dispensaries are at risk of breaking the law in order to gain a legal supply.

    Furthermore, if marijuana shows up on a drug test, you may be denied certain benefits, such as work or welfare.

    Is Marijuana Addictive?

    Marijuana can absolutely be addictive – both physically and mentally. It’s estimated that 30% of people who smoke cannabis have some level of a marijuana use disorder. This is more likely the case if people consume marijuana prior to the age of 18.

    The physical aspects of addiction will not appear with everyone who smokes. For the most part, chronic smokers (people who smoke daily) are the ones most effected. Physical addiction qualities will reveal the following signs:

    • Aggression
    • Cravings
    • Difficulty falling asleep
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Loss of appetite
    • Raise in body temperature
    • Restlessness
    • Sweating

    The mental aspects of marijuana addiction are more prominent. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in cannabis, causes the drug to be psychoactive. Meaning people will experience a more mental high rather than a physical. Therefore, the addiction is likewise more mental. The psychological symptoms of addiction to weed often include:

    • Anger
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Irritability
    • Mood changes

    People who are physically dependent on marijuana can expect to feel withdrawal symptoms when they quit using. Withdrawal occurs when the brain and body return to a natural, THC-freestate. Not everyone will experience the same withdrawal symptoms, however, the following is a list of the most common symptoms reported by people:

    • Abdominal cramps
    • Aggression
    • Anxiety.
    • Chills
    • Cravings
    • Headaches
    • Irritability
    • Lack of concentration
    • Lack of focus
    • Lack of appetite
    • Mild depression
    • Mood swings
    • Nausea
    • Restlessness
    • Sleep disorders
    • Sweating
    • Weight loss

    If you or anyone you love is currently struggling with marijuana addiction, there are available resources to help you. Feel free to give us a call for advice.

    Marijuana Treatment

    If you or anyone you love is struggling with marijuana addiction, there are marijuana addiction treatment options available. Since addiction is very personal and differs from person to person, treatment will likewise differ. Typically, you can expect to take the following five steps:

    1. Medical Assessment

    Through drug tests, interviews, and a full medical/family history, your addiction will be evaluated for the sake of discovering the best treatment course for you.

    1. Detox

    Since marijuana dependence isn’t as brutal as other drugs, not everyone will need to enter detox. However, those who do will want to make sure they find themselves a reputable detox center. Not only for the sake of having professional assistance for weaning off the drug, but also to relieve specific withdrawal symptoms.

    1. Psychological Treatments

    The purpose of psychological treatment and talk therapy is to teach you how to go back to your day-to-day life without using marijuana to handle emotional and life stressors. It begins with taking personal responsibility and build from here.

    Some people will find individual therapy most beneficial. This allows for a one-on-one interaction with a professional who seeks to discover the root of your marijuana addiction and help you change your throught and beliefs. Others find group therapy more beneficial as it allows you to relate with those going through similar problems.

    1. Educational Sessions

    One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to learn about addiction and how weed works on the brain. The goal is to make you aware of the psychoactive effects of THC to help prevent relapse and consider alternative ways to feel good.

    1. Supportive Services

    Some individuals will benefit from supportive services. These include:

    • Financial assistance
    • Housing assistance
    • Legal assistance
    • Medical assistance
    • Vocational training

    Your Questions

    Marijuana can be useful. But it can also get in the way of your best self. If you’re ready for help, please reach out and ask. Learn more about how marijuana addiction is diagnosed and treated by professionals. You don’t need to do it alone.

    If you have any further questions pertaining to marijuana laws in Nevada or cannabis addiction, we invite you to ask them in the comments below. We try to reply to each comment in a prompt and personal manner. If you have any advice to give when it comes to these topics, we would also love to hear from you.

     

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Gucci Mane Says Prison Saved His Life from Drugs

    Gucci Mane Says Prison Saved His Life from Drugs

    Gucci Mane says that being put away helped him clear his head and beat drug addiction.

    When Gucci Mane was put in jail five years ago on charges of firearm possession as a felon, he took that time to get his head on straight and get clean from drugs. 

    “I think I would have been dead, probably,”  he said on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio podcast.

    Though he’s committed to staying sober and free of drug use, he knows the world isn’t getting clean any time soon.

    “It’s never gonna go nowhere,” he said in the podcast interview. “It’s going to always be like that. Drugs gonna always be a part of society. It’s going [to] always be people fighting. It’s going to always be death. It’s just, you know, just what it is. It’s always going to be a part of music. Think about all these rock n roll stars before these hip-hop stars.”

    The rapper has always been open about and proud of his sobriety. When he was released from his three-year prison sentence in mid-2016, he decided to clean up his act in more ways than one: He was done with being a repeat offender and he was done with drugs. The album he released then, Everybody Looking, was the first music he made sober.

    “I felt like I couldn’t make music sober, I couldn’t enjoy my money sober. Why would I wanna go to a club and couldn’t smoke or drink? I felt like sex wouldn’t be good sober. I associated everything with being high,” he told The New York Times in an interview then. “In hindsight I see it for what it was: I was a drug addict.”

    He committed himself to sobriety to keep himself healthy and out of trouble.

    “To ensure that I don’t come back into this prison, I’m just gonna be totally sober,” he revealed on an ESPN interview. “I don’t have any time to make any more mistakes. I want to jump every hurdle that’s in front of me. And it takes me [having] a clearer mind. I know my weaknesses. And being sober, it’s like a big strength for me.”

    Gucci Mane just released his newest album, Evil Genius, on Friday. His Glacier Boyz project, on which he is collaborating with Lil Yachty and Migos, is set to release this coming spring.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Rodrigo Duterte "Jokes" About Using Marijuana To Stay Awake

    Rodrigo Duterte "Jokes" About Using Marijuana To Stay Awake

    Duterte’s off-color remarks about marijuana use fell flat against the backdrop of a bloody crackdown on drugs in the Philippines.

    Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who has led a violent anti-drug campaign that killed thousands of people, said he uses marijuana, but almost immediately reversed his statement, saying that he was joking. 

    Duterte was talking about his hectic schedule, particularly the meetings during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit held in Singapore last month, according to Al Jazeera. 

    “Don’t say I told you but [Brunei Sultan Hassanal] Bolkiah always falls asleep, but he has a talent … and you don’t notice,” Duterte said during a speech. “Me, [I don’t fall asleep] as much because I was taking marijuana to stay awake. For others, it’s not possible.”

    After the speech, Duterte told reporters that he was just joking and that he doesn’t use pot. However, regardless of whether Duterte was telling the truth or making an off-color joke, the remarks fell flat against the backdrop of a bloody crackdown on drugs in the Philippines.

    “This will definitely anger the families [of victims of the violence] even more,” Carlos Conde, a Philippines researcher with the New York-based Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. “There is a disconnect between what the president admitted to do and what the president said he will do to those who use drugs. Now, if the president admitted probably in jest … then that demolishes the credibility of this whole thing.”

    Duterte kicked off his violent campaign in 2016, vowing to clear the Philippines of drug trafficking and drug abuse. Some agencies estimate that as many as 5,000 people were killed as a result.

    “Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun — you have my support. Shoot [them] and I’ll give you a medal,” he said. 

    Duterte went so far as to say that he would hypothetically order the execution of his son Paolo, who allegedly took bribes to allow the import of crystal meth, if the man was found guilty. 

    “I said before my order was: ‘If I have children who are into drugs, kill them so people will not have anything to say,’” Duterte said in Sept. 2017. “So I told [Paolo]: ‘My order is to kill you if you are caught. And I will protect the police who kill you, if it is true.’”

    On a day when federal police killed 32 people reportedly associated with drug abuse, Duterte praised the actions.

    “Let’s kill another 32 every day. Maybe we can reduce what ails this country,” he said. 

    However, in Oct. 2017 Duterte called off the war on drugs after public outcry about the murder of three teenagers. 

    “This is better for the bleeding hearts and the media,” Duterte said at the time. “I hope I will satisfy you.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • "Weeded Out" Game Show Aims To Educate Teens About Cannabis Use

    "Weeded Out" Game Show Aims To Educate Teens About Cannabis Use

    Some of the show’s target audience of young people have questioned whether Weeded Out presents all sides of the argument for or against marijuana use.

    The city of Denver, Colorado has launched a new marijuana education initiative aimed at providing teenagers with facts about cannabis use, as well as related health and policy issues.

    The campaign takes a decidedly different approach than previous programs: it’s a game show called Weeded Out, which quizzes teen contestants on marijuana fact and fallacy.

    As both High Times and CBS This Morning noted, the game show—which is reportedly funded by tax revenue from cannabis sales in Denver—underscores the city’s hopes that marijuana education programs can contribute to a decline in cannabis use among teenagers. But the show’s target audience of young people has questioned whether Weeded Out presents all sides of the argument for or against marijuana use.

    Weeded Out—which airs on social media—follows a traditional quiz show structure, with a panel of teenage contestants answering questions about marijuana. Those that answer incorrectly are “weeded out” until a final group of nine players is left. As High Times noted, the show adopts a Jeopardy-style format, with contestants fielding questions until a final winner is declared.

    Education programs like these make a difference, according to Ashley Kilroy, executive director of marijuana policy for the city. According to her, recent statistics show that the number of young people who report using marijuana over a 30-day period has dropped from 26% to less than 21% over the last two years—a trend also echoed in other states where marijuana is legal. “The numbers are showing that use has dropped significantly,” she said.

    But CBS This Morning found that the focus and tone of the questions asked on the show skew towards the risks involved in cannabis use, and do not always address possible medical benefits. Both the homepage and the Facebook page for the initiative, called High Costs, appear to lean towards a fairly gloomy view of marijuana use; videos on the latter address the connection between cannabis and bronchitis, performance and reaction time, depression and other issues.

    Students have picked up on the tone as well. “There’s obviously medical benefits to it, otherwise it wouldn’t be legal,” said high school junior Isaiah Diaz. “It’s not properly balanced.” Senior Hana Elghoul echoed his sentiment: “I think they are afraid to tell us the good side, just because they think it might influence the way with think,” she said. “They might encourage us to use it.”

    Some teachers who have observed the program and students’ reactions to it also feel that a more balanced approach could have greater impact on its audience. “I think at the end of the day, they want the whole truth,” said North High School teacher Vince Trujillo. “If you were able to bring both sides, I think more students would be in tune with that.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Is Marijuana Today Truly Stronger Than It Was Back When Your Parents ‘Experimented’?

    Is Marijuana Today Truly Stronger Than It Was Back When Your Parents ‘Experimented’?

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Young people believe the marijuana today is much stronger than it was when their parents were around. But is this true? If so, how much stronger can today’s marijuana really be? The article aims to answer these questions and inform you about how marijuana has changed in the past few decades.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.

    Table of Contents:

    Psychoactive Properties

    Marijuana is the dried flowers of the plant “Cannabis sativa” which contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s this chemical that causes psychoactive elements within the brain which many describe as euphoric and relaxing. Marijuana can come in a variety of forms including:

    • Edibles (food or drink with added cannabis extracts)
    • Hashish (concentrated resin from the flowering buds)
    • Hash oil (high concentrated oil from the plant)

    Effects have to do with the way marijuana affects our body when we ingest it. By targeting our nervous system, THC attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors and cause an effect of the user’s experience. These receptors can be found in areas of the brain responsible for concentration, memory, movement, and perception. When these area of the brain are triggered by THC, people tend to feel a sense of relaxation and euphoria. Some get very happy and enjoy everything about the moment. Others may feel senses of paranoia and anxiety due to THC’s effects.

    The main psychoactive effects of the THC found in marijuana include:

    • A sense of relaxation
    • An altered sense of time, sound, space, and sight
    • Bloodshot eyes
    • Dryness of mouth
    • Lowered attention
    • Lowered inhibition
    • Nausea
    • Sleepiness

    A Brief History of Marijuana Legality

    The legal status of marijuana has – more or less – influenced the potency, packaging, and consumption of this drug. Though marijuana has been around for centuries, it wasn’t considered an illicit drug until the 1930’s. Since then, use of marijuana has been outlawed across the nation and it’s been labeled as a Schedule I substance.

    However, in the late 1990’s, after some years of research, marijuana began to be considered a drug with potential medical properties. Pretty soon, states across the country began legalizing it for “medicinal purposes only”. Then, in 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana recreationally.

    The legal status of marijuana has changed the way in which people get their product. No longer do you have to go to a drug dealer and buy whatever s/he has, often grown on small, single farm settings. Now you can go to a corner store and purchase from a wide variety of different strains…often produced by larger and larger companies.

    Remember hearing about “Big Tobacco?” The legal environment and demand for weed is sprouting a new “Big Marijuana”…complete with industrial scale production warehouses. But does the way in which people buy marijuana really affect how strong it the product being supplied is?

    Did Legality Make Marijuana Stronger?

    To some extent, yes. And there’s a simple reason. Those who grow the plant no longer have to worry about the law cracking down on them. They have more freedoms and ability to create the healthiest, most productive plant possible. Besides people smoking safer marijuana, this has also had the perk of cleaning up previously polluted illegal marijuana grow sites.

    With this knowledge, the question then arises, does a healthier plant make for a more potent drug?

    Maybe.

    The highest level of THC ever recorded in a single marijuana bud was tested at 32%. Legal strains of popular marijuana buds have an average THC count of 18.7%.

    Potency Levels

    Potency levels of marijuana vary from strain to strain. Within legal cannabis states, you’ll find that stores label each strain they sell with the amount of THC inside the product. According to NBC News, the average THC level in a legal Colorado marijuana plant is around 18.7%. However, this isn’t the most potent marijuana available.

    High Times magazine does an annual report on the strongest marijuana strains. In 2011, the winning strain had a THC count of 25.49%. That number rose in 2014 to 27.46% and was of the same strain. In 2016, the highest level of THC ever recorded in a single marijuana bud was tested at 32.13%.

    As we can see, marijuana potency is rising quickly. Still, it should be noted, what you’ll find at your local dispensary most likely doesn’t have a 30% THC count. Legal strains of most popular marijuana buds have an average THC count of 18.7%.

    So, is this number higher than it was thirty years ago?

    Potency Comparisons with the Past

    According to this 2016 article published in Biological Psychiatry , marijuana’s THC count was around 4% in 1995. This would leave most people to assume that the answer is clear – that marijuana is absolutely more potent nowadays than it used to be. However, when it comes to testing prior marijuana, there are complications which are often overlooked.

    The government has a way of testing marijuana known as gas chromatography. The purpose of this test is to get an idea of how much THC is in each plant. However, gas chromatography alters the chemical profile of a marijuana plant and even breaks down THC molecules. So, older methods of testing THC were fairly insufficient considering the fact that THC could’ve been burned away before final reports were made.

    Still, because marijuana was illegal across the nation in past decades, police seized tons of it. Leading to the hope that maybe scientists can get their hands on it and test it properly. But even those working with the National Institute on Drug Abuse are very limited to their studying of cannabis.

    Furthermore, weed differs from place to place and from strain to strain. Therefore, even if a batch of marijuana from the 1980s was given to scientists, it doesn’t necessarily constitute the overall average THC count of everyone was smoking.

    It’s truly tricky to determine how potent marijuana was back when your parents “experimented” with it. Still, there is one factor which remains true and may hold some answers.

    Potent Marijuana is Much More Accessible

    At the end of the day, it isn’t about whether marijuana is more potent now-a-days or not. Rather, it’s about how much easier it is to access potent marijuana.

    Look at it this way. When your parents “experimented” with marijuana, they weren’t able to walk into a store. Since they had to go through a drug dealer, their marijuana wasn’t labeled as it is now.

    Furthermore, it wasn’t legally grown in a safe and healthy environment. Therefore, they truly had little conception as to what they were smoking in comparison to marijuana users of today.

    Take into consideration the fact that the price of potent marijuana has dropped and you begin to get the picture that cannabis containing high amounts of THC has simply become more accessible. You can really get an idea of the convenience in obtaining marijuana today when looking at statistics of high school students who smoke.

    The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports of a sharp increase in high school marijuana use in the 1990s (around the time medical marijuana began to become available). Since then, the amount of marijuana use amongst adolescents has remained fairly steady with only a slight increase. However, the amount of people who see risk to marijuana use is sharply declining. In 2016, only 29% of 12th graders claimed there was a risk in regularly using marijuana. Twenty years ago, that number was closer to 60%.

    With that in mind, it can be determined that the overall perception of marijuana is most likely also changing the way in which we use it compared to our parents. Though this doesn’t change potency levels, since people are more lenient on using marijuana, more and more are willing to try it. With that, more are willing to buy into stronger marijuana. As the market continues to grow, so will potency levels.

    So, when it all comes down to it, marijuana is most likely stronger than when your parents used to “experiment” with it. However, it’s probably not much stronger. Instead, stronger marijuana is more accessible and, therefore, more people are smoking it.

    Risk of Addiction?

    Since the underlying problem with marijuana now-a-days is its accessibility rather than its potency, more and more people are:

    1. Able to get ahold of it.
    2. More willing to try it.

    Inevitably, this is causing more people to smoke chronically and become addicted. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 9-17% of people will become addicted to marijuana.

    Still, there’s a notion within our society that marijuana isn’t addictive and, due to its medicinal purposes, good. However, like other drugs such as pain medications, just because something has the potential for medicinal benefits doesn’t mean it’s impossible to abuse it. In fact, marijuana is one of the most abused drugs within America today.

    If you have concern for you or a loved one due to marijuana use, don’t overlook it simply because the overall perception of cannabis has become lenient. Marijuana addiction is very serious and can have numerous negative effects within your life. It’s important to reach out and seek help.

    So, Is Marijuana Addictive?

    YES!

    Considering its psychoactive effects, marijuana abuse is a prominent problem. People smoke to get high. But it’s not meant to be a long term solution to stress or anxiety. Though there are only so few physical properties of marijuana that can cause dependence, the psychological properties are vast.

    The signs of addiction are fairly related to mental side effects. So, you might be addicted to weed if you:

    • Experience cravings.
    • Realize that marijuana affects your responsibilities (i.e. school, work, family).
    • Use it daily and in large amounts.

    The Basics of Marijuana Addiction Treatment

    You are addicted to marijuana if you continue to use it despite it having negative effects on your life including:

    • Costing a relationship with another person or group of people.
    • Desiring to quit marijuana, but being unable to.
    • Experiencing marijuana withdrawals when you’ve reduced or quit.
    • Has affected your work and school for the worse.
    • Lack of activity in what used to interest you.
    • Needing more marijuana in order to feel its initial effects.
    • Spend a good amount of time, energy, and effort to obtain marijuana.
    • Using marijuana in dangerous situations such as operating a motor vehicle.

    Addiction treatment is available. The process of treatment varies from person to person, depending on their level of addiction. However, most people experience similar common characteristics of treatment based on talk therapy and possible medications.

    The first step to treatment is detoxing. This is when your brain and body rid itself of THC and return back to its normal, drug-free functioning. Usually, this process will last about a week, but it should be noted that THC can stay in your system for months. General withdrawal symptoms for weed include:

    • Aggression
    • Agitation
    • Anxiety
    • Craving
    • Insomnia
    • Irritability

    As you can see, all these withdrawal symptoms are psychological. With that, it can be expected that you’re going to need to take the time to learn how to manage day-to-day stressors without the aid of marijuana. These can be taught to you through psychotherapies. A list of common psychotherapies include:

    • 12-Step fellowship programs
    • Case or care managements
    • Individual and group counseling
    • Inpatient and residential treatment
    • Intensive outpatient treatment
    • Medication
    • Partial hospital programs
    • Peer supports
    • Recovery support services

    The road to recovery is a lifetime process. It’s important to surround yourself with the right support system and learn to live without the use of drugs. We promise, it’s very possible and you can do it!

    Where to Find Help

    It’s understandable if you have difficulty when searching for help with marijuana addiction. There may seem like there’s no options available, however, we guarantee those who can help are already around you.

    To begin, you’ll want to consult your doctor or physician. Through a medical assessment, s/he will give you a better comprehension of your current condition and the treatment you’ll need. Furthermore, they’ll be able to guide you towards the best addiction treatment centers within your area.

    Afterwards, you can research different types of treatment programs. By doing a bit of research, you can find one which best supports your needs. Keep an eye out for support groups either outside or within your treatment program.

    Since marijuana is a psychoactive drug which can form mental health issues, you’ll want to reach out to any clinical psychologists within your area. In order to do a more proper search, you can check out APA’s search engine.

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to family and friends. These are the people who have been in your life throughout your addiction and will continue to be afterwards. Their support is vital to the entire recovering process.

    Your Questions

    We hope to have answered your questions about the strength of weed over time. If you have any further questions pertaining to marijuana potency levels, how they differ from when your parents “experimented”, or marijuana addiction, we invite you to ask them below. If you have advice to give to those struggling with addiction or curious about potency levels of marijuana, we’d also love to hear from you.

    We try to reply to each comment personally and promptly!

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  • Is Your Teen Smoking Pot? Here’s 5 Next Steps to Take

    Is Your Teen Smoking Pot? Here’s 5 Next Steps to Take

    Nearly 6% of American High School Seniors Use Pot Daily

    The discovery that your teenager is smoking pot can be upsetting. Whether you caught them in the act or they admitted it to you, the next steps that you take are critical for their long-term health and happiness. While teens have often been known to engage in rebellious acts over the years, those who experiment with marijuana frequently discover that they cannot stop as easily as they thought.

    According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens, nearly six percent of high school seniors admitting to using marijuana on a daily basis, and forty-five percent claimed that they had tried it in the past year.

    If you suspect that your teen may be smoking marijuana, here’s a few steps you should take to make sure that he or she does not face the consequences of becoming a chronic user.

    1. Confirm Your Suspicions

    Your first step is to find out for sure if your teen is actually using marijuana. Here are some signs that might suggest your teen is smoking pot:

    •  You find paraphernalia or smelled marijuana smoke on your teen
    •  Your  teen is hanging out with known users of the drug
    •  Your teen wears clothing or listens to music that glorifies pot
    •  Your teen exhibits signs of being under the influence, such as having memory lapses or   difficulty   holding a clear conversation

    If you suspect that your teen is using marijuana, you can confirm your suspicions by simply asking them if they are smoking or ingesting pot. Keep in mind, however, that your teen may lie if they believe that telling the truth will get them in trouble. In these instances, you may need to seek further proof of their marijuana use by having them take a drug test at home or in a professional setting.

    2. Open Up a Dialogue

    Ideally, you have been talking to your teen about drugs for several years. Now, you need to open up a deeper conversation about marijuana use. Begin by picking a time when you know that your teen is comfortable and open to talking. Try to avoid times when you are rushed, such as on the way to school since this conversation could turn into one that is more complex than you expected. You can also use techniques such as asking open-ended questions to make sure that this feels like a conversation and less like a lecture. Remember that your goal is to get your teen to open up about their marijuana use so that you can begin to work together on finding a solution to help them stop.

    3. Talk About the Risks for Teens

    One of the reasons for the increasing rates of teen marijuana use is that it is no longer depicted as dangerous in the media. Teens who read about the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes may begin to think that using the drug is low risk. While marijuana may be legal in certain states, the truth is that it is still illegal for teenagers to use. Marijuana also affects teenagers differently than it does adults, and your kid needs to know the facts.

    Gather some information about the risks of using marijuana for teens before you sit down with your child to talk about their use. For instance, you may put together a few facts about how marijuana affects the developing brain. Your teen may be surprised to discover that doing pot in their teen years could affect their ability to think and rationalize properly as adults.

    In addition the physical risks of marijuana use, your teen is also placing themselves in a risky situation. For example, your teen could face stiff fines and jail time if they are caught with marijuana in their possession. Chronic use may also be causing your teen to struggle in school, or they may have been kicked off of their sports team.

    4. Check for Other Forms of Drug Abuse

    Marijuana is often considered a gateway drug because kids who try it may be tempted to experiment with stronger substances to achieve different effects. Certain drugs, such as PCP, can also be mixed with marijuana to make the high more intense. If you know that your teen is smoking pot, then you should find out if there are other forms of substance abuse in your child’s history. While you can ask them if they are using other drugs, you may need to seek a professional evaluation if they are not forthcoming. Keep in mind that teens often mix pot with alcohol, which can lead to coexisting addictions that must be treated at the same time.

    5. Treat Any Underlying Causes

    Teens do drugs for a variety of reasons. While some teens may use marijuana once out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, those who use it more often are likely trying to mask other issues.

    For example, your teen may feel like using weed helps them to overcome their social anxiety. They may enjoy how it makes them feel cool or helps them to fit into a specific social group. Keep in mind that marijuana is not just used by kids who tend to get in trouble. Athletes, gifted students and popular kids are all vulnerable to falling prey to marijuana addiction, especially if they feel like it helps them to be a part of a group.

    Your teen may also use marijuana to deal with serious mental health issues, and this is more common if they have never been diagnosed. Teens with anxiety may feel as though the pot helps them to stay calm, and kids with ADHD may like how they think it helps them to stay focused. While you may know that marijuana does more harm than good for these conditions, your teen may need to work with a professional counselor to learn how to cope with their mental health issues in healthier ways.

    Conclusion

    Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is an addictive substance that has negative effects on a teenager’s health. When you suspect that your teen is smoking pot, be sure to take immediate action. With lots of talking and professional counseling, your teen can learn to live a happy life without relying upon substances to feel better.

    View the original article at

  • Smoking Pot Can Disqualify You From Cannabis Jobs

    Smoking Pot Can Disqualify You From Cannabis Jobs

    “Sometimes you can get by with a low-level, misdemeanor possession charge, but not always,” said one medical marijuana job recruiter.

    Medical marijuana is creating about 25,000 new jobs in Florida, but smoking cannabis disqualifies many people from working in the industry, according to a report by The Orlando Sentinel. 

    “We get hundreds of applications for every job opening we have, and maybe only 10% of those are qualified and meet the legal requirements,” said Michelle Terrell, spokesman for Curaleaf, a Massachusetts-based company that opened a dispensary in south Orlando in August. 

    In Florida, state law requires that marijuana workers have a clean criminal background check with no felonies. Drug-related offenses, including smoking marijuana, can derail applicants, said James Yagielo, founder of HempStaff, a Miami-based medical marijuana recruiting firm.

    “Sometimes you can get by with a low-level, misdemeanor possession charge, but not always,” Yagielo said.

    Because of this, he advises people not to mention their illicit drug use in an interview, even if they feel that their experience with marijuana helps explain their qualifications. 

    “For a lot of people at the entry level, they say they want to get into this industry because of a passion for cannabis,” he said. “We usually tell them they should avoid bringing up any illegal activity regarding cannabis in an interview.”

    Because of the more intense screening process, the marijuana industry pays slightly more than other service industry jobs in Florida, with entry-level wages between $11 and $15 an hour. This makes the industry appealing to many people who aren’t intimidated by the requirements. The industry already created nearly 3,000 jobs during 2017 and is expected to grow to 25,000 jobs by 2022.

    “We need customer-experience specialists, we need drivers and we’ll be expanding our phone operations,” said Scott Klenet, a spokesperson for Knox Medical, a cannabis dispensary that is “aggressively hiring.” 

    “And what we find is that people come from all walks of life,” Klenet added. 

    Catie Callahan, 34, gave up a management job at a national grocery chain to open the new Orlando Curaleaf dispensary. She said that she sees cannabis as a business opportunity that she did not want to pass up.

    “I took a class on medical marijuana regulations last year, and I’ve been keeping my eyes open for an opportunity,” she said. 

    She considered the way that working in medical marijuana would impact her career and ultimately decided that the benefits outweighed the risks. 

    “There is a stigma, but I’m not worried about leaving this business and not being able to get a job because I worked in medical marijuana.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Device To Test Drivers For Cannabis Impairment Approved In Canada

    Device To Test Drivers For Cannabis Impairment Approved In Canada

    After legalizing cannabis in June, Canada’s government is cracking down on drugged driving.

    Our neighbor to the north has settled on a method that law enforcement officers will use to test motorists for cannabis impairment.

    Canada became the first major economy, and the second country in the world after Uruguay, to legalize cannabis this past June. With legal sales to begin on October 17, it appears that Canada won’t have to wait for a reliable test that can detect cannabis impairment in motorists.

    Immediately following the decision to legalize (with Bill C-45), Canada made major changes to its impaired driving laws with Bill C-46, High Times noted.

    This included the use of roadside drug tests, but now, the government has approved a specific device for the job—the Dräger DrugTest 5000, a roadside saliva drug test device that analyzes a mouth swab for the presence of THC.

    The device was approved by Canada’s Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould, following a review of its effectiveness by an independent panel of traffic safety experts and toxicologists.

    According to the Los Angeles Times, the device—already in use in Germany and the UK—tests for the presence of cannabis, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, amphetamine, methadone and benzodiazepines, but does not measure the level of intoxication.

    Gauging if someone is “high” on cannabis is more complex than testing for alcohol intoxication. It’s uniquely difficult to test for impairment from cannabis because THC can remain in a person’s system for weeks, therefore its presence does not necessarily indicate that a person is impaired.

    This has presented a challenge as more federal and local governments choose to legalize cannabis in some form.

    While the Dräger device does not specify impairment, neither does Bill C-46, which gives police officers broad discretion when it comes to motorists who come up positive for THC. They are allowed to charge a driver with drug-impaired driving “based solely on the presence of THC,” High Times reported.

    However, officers will still need “reasonable grounds of suspected drug activity” to administer a drug test on a driver.

    The Canadian government will continue to invest in improving drug testing to counteract drugged driving. According to High Times, the national government has allotted $81 million over five years to purchase drug-testing devices and toward training police officers on how to use them.

    View the original article at thefix.com