Data From Over 80,000 Samples Shows Cannabis Strength Soared Over Past 50 Years

 


According to new research, street cannabis has significantly increased in strength over the past fifty years, increasing the likelihood of harm. 


The Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath compiled information from more than 80,000 cannabis samples tested over the past 50 years from street samples collected in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Italy, and New Zealand. The Society for the Study of addiction provided funding for the research, which has been published in the journal addiction.


The researchers looked into how different kinds of cannabis' THC concentrations had changed over time. THC is the intoxicating component of cannabis that gives users a "high". They discovered that THC concentrations in herbal cannabis increased by 14% between 1970 and 2017. This was mostly because stronger varieties like Kinsella were gaining market share over traditional herbal cannabis, which only has seeds and less THC. 


The group has recently found steady proof that successive utilization of pot with more significant levels of THC conveys an expanded gamble of issues like enslavement and maniacal problems. 


Dr Tom Freeman, lead author and director of the University of Bath's Addiction and Mental Health Group, stated: "The number of people seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders has also increased with the strength of cannabis". Cannabis is responsible for a greater proportion of European drug treatment admissions than cocaine or heroin. 


The THC concentrations in cannabis resin increased by 24% between 1975 and 2017, according to the findings of the researchers. The findings indicate that cannabis resin, which is extracted from herbal cannabis, is typically stronger than herbal cannabis


They also looked at the concentrations of cannabidiol, or CBD, which is not intoxicating but could help people quit smoking cannabis. In contrast to THC, they discovered that CBD did not change over time. 


Sam Craft, a co-author of the study who works at the University of Bath's Addiction and Mental Health Group, offered the following explanation: Cannabis resin, or "hash," is frequently regarded as a safer variety of cannabis; however, our research demonstrates that it is now more potent than herbal cannabis. Traditionally, cannabis resin contained much less THC than CBD, but CBD concentrations have remained stable as THC concentrations have increased significantly, making it much more harmful than it was in the past. 


Cannabis, the most widely used illegal drug in the world, has recently been made legal in several US states, Uruguay, and Canada. In light of growing calls to legalize cannabis in an effort to make it safer, the findings of this new study are especially relevant. Recently, measures to limit the strength of cannabis sold through legalization were included in a New Zealand referendum that ultimately failed to garner public support. 


Increases in the strength of cannabis, according to the researchers, highlight the need to implement broader harm reduction strategies, such as standard units and public guidelines on safer consumption limits, similar to those used for alcohol 


Dr. Tom Freeman continued, "As the potency of cannabis has increased, consumers are confronted with a lack of information to assist them in keeping track of their consumption and making decisions regarding its relative benefits and risks." Similar to standard alcohol units, the introduction of a standard unit system for cannabis could encourage consumption restriction and safer use

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