Weed Is Stronger Now Than Ever Before

The Growing Popularity Of Weed

Marijuana (Weed) is the world’s most popular drug behind alcohol. For years activists and lobbyists in the US have pushed for the legalization of the plant. In 2012 the movement finally gained traction once Colorado approved Cannabis for adult recreational use. Since then, Marijuana consumption has become widespread. According to recent polls, more than 35 million people in the US are regular users of the drug. As states continue legalizing Cannabis, its numbers of consumers are growing, and its strains are becoming stronger. 

Online Marijuana Addiction Counseling

Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp by phone, video, or live-chat.

Take the Quiz. Get Matched. Begin Therapy.

GET STARTED NOW

Online therapy can help you with long term addiction support. Connect with a therapist from Talkspace anytime, anywhere.

Get matched with a therapist now.

GET STARTED NOW

Paid Advertising. We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites.

Stronger Strains 

Weed naturally creates over 100 compounds called cannabinoids. Whether it is a Sativa or Indica strain (the two main types of Cannabis plants), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are its most popular components. These cannabinoids produce Marijuana’s signature sensations of relaxation and euphoria. Over the years, the rate of these active compounds has risen. In 1994, variations of the plant contained about 4% of THC. Today, these amounts have spiked. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the drug’s potency has tripled. The quantity of THC found in weed has soared from 4% to 12% in only a few years. There are even certain strains like sinsemilla (seedless female hemp plant) with a 15% to 25% concentration rate. 

Concentrates And Extracts

Marijuana’s growing popularity is leading to the development of more potent products and new methods of consumption. Traditionally the plant was grown and usually smoked or baked. Now there are dozens of ways of extracting and using Cannabis to harvest its Psychoactive compounds or terpenes (aromatic oils). Modern science has discovered efficient methods for isolating larger amounts of resin (the sticky substance produced by the plant’s trichomes, or exterior growths that protect it from outside danger). These new products fall under 2 categories; extracts and concentrates.

Extracts 

Extracts are Cannabis products made using solvents (like butane) to extract resin chemically. The physical properties of extracts vary based on the type of solvent used. 

Examples of extracts include:

• Butane Hash Oil (Live Resin, Shatter, Terp sauce, Sap, Snap’ n Pull, Sugar)
• CO2 Oil
• Distillate
• Propane Hash Oil (Budder)
• Hexane Hash Oil (Similar to Shatter)

Concentrates 

Concentrates are created by using a mechanical method to isolate resin and no solvents. 

Examples of concentrates include:

• Dry Sift Hash
• Hashish
• Rosin

Extracts and concentrates are more potent than a traditional Cannabis flower because of their larger volumes of resin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, resins (the isolated active compounds of weed) have 3 to 5 times more THC than a Marijuana plant. 

Check if my insurance covers rehab

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.

The Health Risks Of Stronger Weed

Because of advanced knowledge and new technology, today’s Cannabis products are isolating higher amounts of psychoactive compounds and according to a study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the stronger a Cannabis product is, the more likely a person is to develop an addiction. Roughly 1 in 10 adults who use Marijuana become addicted. A research paper presented by Missouri State Medical Association claims THC is the component that causes addiction. Therefore, the bigger the amounts of THC in a Cannabis product, the greater the possibility of dependence and eventual addiction. 

Higher concentrates of THC, according to the National Institutes of Health, may lead to physical dependence, psychosis, and anxiety, particularly in young users. Thus, another major health concern is the increased risk of teen dependency. Since higher THC amounts in products increase the likelihood of addiction, those underage run a greater risk of developing health issues. Over the past few years, there have been cases of “cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome,” referred to by healthcare workers as “scromiting”—screaming and vomiting—among young people using highly concentrated Marijuana products in states like Colorado. Marijuana use among teens can lead to improper development. Imaging tests show that long-term use among teenagers results in fewer connections impaired cognitive functioning within the brain. The underdeveloped brain activity has been linked to slower learning as well as reduced levels of alertness and memory. Some studies have even discovered that underage weed consumption may lead to lower IQ points in young adulthood. 

Marijuana Use Disorder And Addiction

Marijuana use disorder affects roughly 30% of its users. It is often associated with other substance use disorders, behavioral problems, and disabilities. According to a new analysis conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2016, about 6 million people experienced Marijuana use disorder. The study also discovered that about 6.3% of people met the diagnostic criteria at some point in their lives.  

Signs of addiction include:

Marijuana use disorder is 4 to 7 times more likely to develop in individuals who begin using the drug before 18. With the dramatic surge of THC and normalization of weed in America, experts believe addiction rates among teens will spike. As of now, 1 in 6 people who use Marijuana before adulthood will develop a dependence, but that number may soon change. Already physicians are noticing a rise in Marijuana-related hospitalizations. 

Break free from addiction.

You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.

(870) 515-4356

Finding Treatment For Marijuana Addiction

Unfortunately, Marijuana use disorder goes mostly untreated. The public idea that Marijuana use is harmless and the rise in the drug’s potency is shifting the risks associated with its use. Much like alcohol, there are dangers correlated to long-term Marijuana use, contrary to popular belief. Conversely, weed’s long-term effects on the body are not yet fully understood. It is urgent to identify and implement effective treatment plans for individuals battling the disorder, but it is equally important to increase education among youth about the associated dangers and risks. 

If you or a loved one are developing a Marijuana use disorder or addiction, there is help available. By seeking help through treatment, individuals can learn to cope and let go of their dependency. Contact a treatment provider today.

Overcome Marijuana Addiction

Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp by phone, video, or live-chat.

Take the Quiz. Get Matched. Begin Therapy.

GET STARTED NOW

Online therapy can help you with long term addiction support. Connect with a therapist from Talkspace anytime, anywhere.

Get matched with a therapist now.

GET STARTED NOW

Begin making positive changes with Online-Therapy.com. Quality online therapy, from the comfort of home.

Answer a few questions to get started.

GET STARTED NOW

Paid Advertising. We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites.