Marijuana Then and Now; Why Today's Marijuana is Different
Marijuana is not what it was. The last decades have brought incredible increases in the potency and THC contents of a quantity of marijuana, and as such, much of public knowledge and perception surrounding the drug is false.
Parents who may have used or known others who used the drug in decades past, with few appreciable negative effects, may be basing evaluations of the risks of marijuana on a personal experience that does not reflect the reality of today's drug.
Additionally, many scientific studies on the effects of marijuana, done in decades past and still referenced to this day, no longer accurately describe the health and impairment risks of a drug that now contains 10 times or greater quantities of THC and other intoxicating compounds.
Myths
Some of the myths that linger inaccurately are that marijuana is not addictive, and that smoking marijuana does not have lasting health and cognitive effects. More recent scientific research has very clearly demonstrated these myths to be false, that marijuana is most certainly addictive, and that heavy marijuana smoking is very associated with increased cognitive declines, and other bodily health risks.
Marijuana Then and Now
The average joint in the 1960's and 1970's contained on average 10 mgs of THC; an average good quality joint today contains 150 mgs of THC, and if this joint is enhanced with hash oil, the THC in a single joint can exceed 300 mgs. With a single joint as much as 30 times stronger than a joint of a few decades ago, perceptions formed from experiences during decades past no longer accurately reflect today's realities.
The Risks of Today's Marijuana
The effects of marijuana are very dose dependant. The more THC you consume, the greater the effects and also the greater the damage done. You get far more intoxicated from a single joint of today's marijuana, and you also experience far greater and health and cognitive risks.
- Marijuana is associated with a greatly increased heart rate, and has been linked to heart attacks in young but predisposed smokers.
- Marijuana is linked with increased rates of psychotic like disorders, including paranoid schizophrenia, and the younger kids start smoking the greater their risks.
- Marijuana is very significantly linked with decreases in mental abilities, and these cognitive deficits can endure for weeks after heavy marijuana users stop using.
- Marijuana smoke is carcinogenic.
- Marijuana is addictive, some smokers develop a very high tolerance and may smoke multiple strong joints daily, and there is a very significant syndrome of withdrawal associated with quitting marijuana after chronic use. A lot of people are unable to withstand the cravings and the pains of withdrawal, and continue to smoke even as they would like to quit.
Take it Seriously
Marijuana is a health risk. Parents need to get educated as to the risks of today's marijuana, and take marijuana experimentation and usage very seriously. People with heavy marijuana habits may want to cut down or stop altogether to lessen the health risks, and if they are unable to do so on their own, they may want to get some professional help to do so.
