High Potency Cannabis: The Reality America Needs To Wake Up To
America Needs To Wake Up To The Reality Behind High Potency Cannabis
Names are memory cues, and sales depend on that association. This is especially problematic for cannabis.
The problem that both the industry and consumers alike are facing right now is that the THC content in modern-day cannabis products is not the same as it once was.
Currently, the THC content in most cannabis products has risen well over 50% in edibles, hash, wax, concentrates, and flower.
Furthermore, if you flash back to your first impression of cannabis, it is not the same as the product you are buying today.
This poses many issues for the cannabis industry, such as potency inflation, overbreeding genetics for THC, neglecting other cannabinoids and terpenes, and much more.
This is an issue for the cannabis industry and threatens to undermine the credibility of cannabis genetics. This will undoubtedly impact you if you are a cannabis consumer or business owner.
Let’s dive into the implications of high potency cannabis.
America Needs To Wake Up To The Reality Behind High Potency Cannabis
A recent review of 20 studies published in the Lancet medical journal shows that cannabis use disorder and addiction are linked to high-potency THC products. This, in turn, leads to an increased risk of developing cannabis-induced psychosis. The condition is characterized by hallucinations or delusions that last up to 2 days. However, it can last several months if there is an underlying mental disorder such as schizophrenia.
High potency THC overstimulates the nervous system, leading to adverse reactions. THC is a powerful psychoactive compound formally classified as a hallucinogen or psychotropic substance.
Landrace cannabis strains, original genetics from fifty years ago, have low amounts of THC and higher amounts of other cannabinoids, such as CBD and other medicinal terpenes.
The combination of THC and the other minor cannabinoids found in cannabis, as well as the terpenes and other phytonutrients, is known to be far more therapeutic than THC or CBD alone. This is collectively known as the entourage effect.
The Grave Implications of Breeding High Potency Cannabis
When growers are breeding their plants solely for high THC production, they lose the integrity of the plant, along with a majority of the medicinal properties. Growers are doing this because of THC potency inflation, and they can charge more for it, therefore covering their bottom line.
However, this is quite destructive when it comes to the genetics of cannabis and preserving the integrity of the plant. Additionally, extremely high potency THC has terrible effects on consumers.
This is because THC is not supposed to occur in such high amounts. It does not occur in such high amounts naturally. It is being genetically modified and engineered for high potency, which has serious effects on both genetics and consumers.
Additionally, the legislation that is pushing cannabis legalization forward is not putting any limitations on THC potency. This is terrible news for cannabis and consumers alike.
This means that THC potency inflation will continue to rise, and the genetics of our beloved cannabis strains will continue to be altered until they eventually become some sort of mutant THC machine with no other medicinal compounds.
America Needs To Wake Up To The Reality Behind High Potency Cannabis: What Italy is Doing Right
Italy seems to have the right idea: cannabis is not entirely legal there. However, it is decriminalized.
Shops in Italy can sell THC products with up to 0.5 percent THC. While this is on the lower end of the spectrum, something in the middle in the US would work well and combat THC potency inflation which is posing a huge issue for the industry.
Additionally, safety is also an issue here. While no one has ever overdosed on cannabis, taking too much can induce panic attacks, increased heart rates, paranoia, and anxiety, which can all prove to be quite dangerous and uncomfortable.
We all know the feeling of getting too stoned and how miserable that can feel. Well, that feeling is occurring much more often with high potency cannabis.
Furthermore, these shops in Italy are busy and getting lots of customers. In addition, they are diverting customers from higher THC products that are becoming more and more dangerous every day.
Outside of the dangers of high potency cannabis for consumers, high potency cananbis is horrible for the cannabis industry as it leads to THC potency inflation.
The strategy implemented in Italy should be considered and customized to the needs and safety of the consumer in the US, as well as implementing limits to protect the industry from inflation.
America Needs To Wake Up To The Reality Behind High Potency Cannabis
In the U.S., recreational cannabis is legal in 19 states, and medical marijuana in 37. More states are in the works, as well as Sens. Cory Booker (D.N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.), and Ron Wyden (D.Ore.) proposed legislation to decriminalize it in all 50 states and remove it from the federal controlled substances list. This is known as the ” Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.”
While it is obvious that cannabis will be consumed regardless of legalization, if legalization does not entail THC limits, this movement will do little for public safety as well as the industry and plant genetics.
Reports show more and more incidences of cannabis-induced psychosis in users who are using high THC products.
The cannabis plant provides medicine to many people for various ailments. THC is not supposed to be ridiculously high. It does not naturally occur in the astronomical amounts we see today.
High-potency cannabis should be reserved for those with serious medical issues. RSO or Rick Simpson Oil is a pure THC concentrate used by many cancer patients for relief.
RSO is different than what we are seeing in the industry today. Extremely high THC levels are not good for the body and easily overstimulate the nervous system, leading to panic attacks and, even worse, psychosis.
The Dangers of High Potency THC
Furthermore, cannabis that is genetically modified for high potency is an issue that affects the integrity of the plant. However, even worse, manufacturers are adding solvents and toxic chemicals to increase the THC potency, which is extremely dangerous and can have profound effects.
The most important thing to note here is that cannabis is no longer what it once was. Thanks to potency inflation and an unregulated market, manufacturers, and growers have been increasing THC potency to the detriment of the industry and the consumer.
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