Weed has been used for centuries, but the THC has become increasingly powerful. Largely due to the fact that many growers choose these varieties. Weed isn't the same as it used to be.
This is what causes the psychoactive effects of cannabis have also increased and with them the harmful side effects. This, together with greater acceptance worldwide and legalization in more and more countries, can lead to greater problems.
Tenfold increase in THC
There are some studies available that suggest that cannabis has become increasingly potent. In the US, some of this data comes from the Potency Monitoring Program, a project led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and implemented at the University of Mississippi. The data shows a clear trend: over the past fifty years, the average amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis – the plant's main psychoactive component – has increased more than tenfold.
The revival is not limited to the US. Another study (2020) shows that the potency of cannabis also increased in other countries. In Britain, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and New Zealand, average THC concentrations increased by 1970 percent each year between 2017 and 0,29. Over the years, breeders have employed increasingly sophisticated breeding techniques, allowing them to select more potent strains.
Take, for example, seedless cannabis, also called sinsemilla. These unpollinated female plants are grown because their buds and flowers contain a lot of THC-rich resin. Seedless cannabis can contain twice as much as the regular seeded variety.
Cannabis consumption
Yet another factor at play is that the way we consume cannabis is changing. Take edibles, vapes and other products, for example. These are often much easier to fill with THC. The concentrates often have a very high content of this psychoactive component. This causes people to look at products with much higher THC levels. This can lead to a higher risk of unpleasant side effects such as vomiting, paranoia or cardiac arrhythmias.
Source: newscientist.com (EN)
