The University of Mississippis Potency Monitoring Project (Project) has been analyzing samples of marijuana, hash oil, and hashish since 1976. Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Project annually analyzes pot samples from U.S. seizures made by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In their latest quarterly report of 1,500 seizures made in 2008, about 75% of the samples originated outside of the U.S. and 25% came from domestic pot eradication efforts. The average tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) concentration of these samples were 10.1%. The Project documents a continued rise in THC potency since the studies were first conducted. For comparison, the Project found an average THC concentration of 4% in samples analyzed in 1983, 4.8% in 2003, 5.2% in 2005, and 7.3% in 2007. Of the 1,500 or so samples analyzed in 2008, 40% contained THC levels of 9% or greater with the highest concentration being 27.3%.
Announcements of increasing U.S. pot potency have erupted into instant controversy in past years. Those who favor legalization or decriminalization of marijuana denounce these reports as at best a distortion and at worst a total myth. Such proponents believe the reports of increasing marijuana potency to be merely an attempt by the government to sensationalize and scare the general population. The reason cited for this alleged government scare tactic is that many parents of todays teens experimented with marijuana during the 1970s and 1980s when reports documented low concentrations of THC in the marijuana samples seized by the DEA. That population of low potency marijuana users now represents a significant bloc of our nations voters. Voters who could be asked to determine legalization of marijuana in the near future. The assumption is that if this electorate perceives todays marijuana to be more potent and therefore more dangerous than what they had experimented with in their youth, they would be less likely to vote in favor of legalization. A scare campaign delivering that message would surely perpetuate the U.S. persecution of marijuana. The Potency Monitoring Project response to these allegations is that they are reporting actual findings using the same sampling and research techniques theyve used for 33 years. Included in their report announcements, however, are suggestions that increasing pot potency correlates to increased problems from marijuana abuse. Problems noted in the most recent report include an increase in the number of individuals being treated for marijuana dependence and a link between marijuana use and an increased risk for schizophrenia.
The more potent pot controversy actually poses two major questions: 1) has the average THC concentration in marijuana really increased over the past three decades and 2) is more potent pot any more dangerous than low potency pot? Answers to these two questions will determine if the reports of increasing pot potency are reality or nothing more than just scare tactics and hype.
In fact, there has always been a wide variation of THC concentrations in marijuana which is partly responsible for the wide range of physical and psychological effects experienced by users. Even experienced users testify to having different effects from different samples of pot. During the 33 years that the Project has been monitoring pot potency, ditch weed or bammer are terms used to designate marijuana with very low concentrations of THC, the term used to designate pot with high THC concentrations is chronic. Very high and very low THC concentration marijuana has always been available. What the Project claims to be monitoring is the average THC concentration in marijuana that is widely available to the average user. In this regard, I definitely believe that THC concentrations in street marijuana have continued to increase since the 1960s. Still, those who deny any increase in pot potency over the past few decades have some interesting though questionable arguments.
- Domestically grown marijuana comprises the bulk of the U.S. pot market and it has only increased a little in potency as compared to pot originating outside of this country. Yet, 75% of the samples seized and analyzed by the Project originated in other countries. Despite these facts, some of the highest concentrations of THC found by the Project over the years actually occurred in domestically grown pot.
- Non-domestic, unusually potent, and very rare marijuana is presented as the product typically available on the U.S. Market purposely misleading the general public. Contrary to the argument of potent foreign source marijuana being a rarity on our nations streets, I find the DEAs supply reduction efforts to be seriously lacking when it comes to marijuana. Whether it is a valid perception or not, many users of marijuana often boast about the exotic origins of their pot. Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Columbia, and Jamaica are the preferred foreign sources commonly available.
- THC is non-toxic and the government approved medication (Marinol®) contains 100% THC (chemically in the form of dronabinol) yet no one seems to be concerned about its toxicity. This argument is very irresponsible. All substances have potential toxicities and side effects including marijuana. The prescribing information provided to physicians on the use of Marinol® lists several potential toxicities and even describes a physical as well as psychological dependence. Also, Marinol® capsules come in 2.5, 5 and 10 mg. dosage forms. A joint weighs on average 500 mg. which is about half the weight of a tobacco cigarette. If the THC concentration of an average joint is 10%, which delivers approximately 50 mg. of THC, which is more total drug than Marinol® the medically approved form of the substance.
- Most cannabis consumers prefer less potent pot and adjust their use to smoke less when they encounter unusually strong pot. I find consumers have a wide range of preferences when it comes to how they experience marijuana. Some prefer a stimulating effect, most prefer a sedating effect and some really enjoy psychedelic-like effects. Rather than preferring less potent pot, most users seem to either adjust their use or seek the potency that will maintain the effects they prefer. I notice that younger users frequently demand stronger and stronger marijuana while older adults prefer the strength that will consistently deliver their chosen effect. As with other chemical dependencies, many of these users either increase the frequency of use or seek stronger and stronger pot as they continue to develop tolerance to its effects. Bottom line though is that pot potency whether it be foreign or domestically grown has continued to increase since the Project began its monitoring efforts in 1976. Why else would there be any increase in its average potency if most users preferred to use only low potency marijuana?
- If government researchers are really concerned about potential risks of more potent pot, they should support legalizing it to regulate its potency, dependability, and distribution. This is the most viable argument presented by those who view the reports of increasing marijuana potency to be nothing more than a myth perpetuated by the government to keep cannabis illegal. Despite being one of the most commonly used substances throughout human history, less is known about its effects and potential toxicities than almost all other psychoactive substances. The 420 identifiable chemicals present in marijuana, including 60 or so psychoactive, make it difficult to carry out and interpret definitive research. Further, just one of these chemicals, delta nine THC, is metabolized by the human liver to create multiple psychoactive metabolites whose relative amounts vary depending on the users individual biology. There are just three species of Cannabis (sativa, indica and ruderalis) but there are hundreds of subspecies or variants. All of these may have different concentrations of the various psychoactive chemicals depending on where and how they are grown, cultivation, harvesting and even curing techniques. Despite these complexities, much research is needed to determine how different potencies and different relative concentrations of the various psychoactive chemicals found in marijuana affect its physical and psychoactive actions before it can be made legally available to the general populace. If our government can provide resources to monitor pot potency, why cant they provide resources to find out if higher levels of THC causes more, less, or even a neutral impact on potential health problems associated with its use? The other main point here is that research should be done before legalization to help make that determination, not after.
Another piece of evidence that gives credence to the reports of increasing THC in pot is the vast and increasing number of web sites, books and reference articles providing information and advice on growing higher potency marijuana. A Google search for marijuana growing techniques this month yielded 236,000 pages. Information on sophisticated growing methods like sinsemilla, colchicine, hydroponics, aerophonics, cloning, nutrients, soil options, and even advice on the best type of grow lights to use for indoor cultivation can be found with the click of a mouse. Advice is also available on harvesting methods, air or water curing of harvested marijuana, baking before smoking, and various other methods to increase potency. At minimum, these resources document our nations great appetite for accessing more potent pot and the University of Mississippis Potency Monitoring Project documents the fact that supply is meeting demand.
Darryl S. Inaba, PharmD., CADC III
June 2009
References
CNN Health (2009), http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/14/marijuana.potency/index.html accessed 5/18/09
Newsdesk Admin (2009), Potency of marijuana seized in the U.S. more than doubles, University of Mississippi Newsdesk, http://news.olemiss.edu/index.php/Ole-Miss-News/News-Releases/marijuanapotency051409.html accessed 5/22/09
ElSohly MA, Director (2009), Quarterly Report Potency Monitoring Project, Report 104, December 16,2008 thru March 15, 2009, http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/mpmp_report_104.pdf accessed 6/1/2009
NORML Blog (2009), The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, http://blog.norml.org/tag/potency-monitoring-project/ accessed 6/1/2009
Drug War Distortions (2009), Distortion 11: Marijuana Potency, http://www.drugwardistortions.org/distortion11.htm accessed 6/1/2009