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(Ivanhoe Newswire) Marijuana potency is on the rise, and the result could have serious consequences for teens who use the controlled substance.
According to the latest findings from a program at the University of Mississippi thats been tracking marijuana potency since the mid 1970s, the average level of THC (the active ingredient in the drug) has reached a new high of 9.6 percent, with levels of up to 37.2 percent reported in some samples. That compares to an average level of just under 4 percent in 1983. The program tests marijuana samples confiscated by law enforcement agencies.
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Baby boomer parents who still think marijuana is a harmless substance need to look at the facts. Marijuana potency has grown steeply over the past decade, with serious implications in particular for young people, John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy, was quoted as saying.
For example, increasing marijuana potency corresponds with studies linking the drug to depression in teens and a significant increase in the number of teens seeking treatment for marijuana dependence. Researchers worry more potent marijuana may also be putting teens at increased risk for developing a dependency on even more dangerous drugs like cocaine and heroin.
The increases in marijuana potency are of concern since they increase the likelihood of acute toxicity, including mental impairment, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, was quoted as saying.
SOURCE: Office of National Drug Control Policy press release, June 12, 2008
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