Marijuana Potency Up, Says White House

[thecrow]

Source: AP

(AP) Marijuana potency increased last year to the highest level in more than 30 years, posing greater health risks to people who may view the drug as harmless, according to a report released Thursday by the White House.

The latest analysis from the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project tracked the average amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in samples seized by law enforcement agencies from 1975 through 2007. It found that the average amount of THC reached 9.6 percent in 2007, compared with 8.75 percent the previous year.

The 9.6 percent level represents more than a doubling of marijuana potency since 1983, when it averaged just under 4 percent.

SNIP

"Marijuana potency has grown steeply over the past decade, with serious implications in particular for young people," Walters said. He cited the risk of psychological, cognitive and respiratory problems, and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

While the drug's potency may be rising, marijuana users generally adjust to the level of potency and smoke it accordingly, said Dr. Mitch Earleywine, who teaches psychology at the State University of New York in Albany and serves as an adviser for marijuana advocacy groups. "Stronger cannabis leads to less inhaled smoke," he said.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/12/national/main4174693.shtml

---

Hahahahah

What, did *Smirky overdose on it?

And now they're blaming it on drug traffickers from Canada and Mexico.
That illegal border crossing thing again. Well, we wouldn't have that if they'd legalize pot here.
Then the potheads would all *die from an overdose* and we could all get on with the rest of our lives.


Note: Intense :sarcasm: is intended here.

[Taverner]

1. The absolute truth: most of the pot in the US was grown here

Either indoors via hydroponics or outside.

No one ships marijuana into the US anymore - its not cost effective.

[bitchkitty]

3. Lots of indoor dirt too!

Here in Oregon, anyway. I like dirt. Adds a certain something to the taste, IMO.

Anyway, GOOD that it's more potent. Marijuana is medicine, and it's been a godsend to health-care-deprived me for years!

[Taverner]

5. Yep

Volcanic soil provides the best medium I am told

[Mabus]

7. Now, if I could just a local supplier

I'd be real happy.

[pattmarty]

29. Yep. Back when I was younger very little was grown here.....

......except wild in fields & "ditches". It was "imported" from Mexico (the most plentiful, and the least potent), Jamaica (mid-grade), and finally Columbia (the "good stuff"). Now anyone with half a brain and a good growing book can grow prime shit.

[xxqqqzme]

42. I lived on Guam for 4 years back

'when /I was younger'. Most of the weed we enjoyed came from Thailand. It was potent. There was nothing stateside that compared. We saved seeds and planted them when we returned. It produced some delightful weed, which we were happy to share.

[maxsolomon]

47. British Columbia begs to differ

whether through tunnels under the border, or shipped in hollowed out logs or in propane tanks, British Columbians never rest in assuring the west coast a steady supply of BC Bud.

we salute them for their efforts. :smoke:

[chknltl]

67. Tiujana North blesses us with their 'hydro-beaster'

...and charges up the wazu* for it as well. It's OK if nothing else is around...a bit pricey though all things considered.

*wazu: Cherished nickname used for generations by Washington State University-"WSU". It was officially dropped not too many years ago but sadly-(teehee) we Husky fans never got the memo. (Like we could ever give THAT ONE up!)

[Raster]

86. Hear! Hear!

:smoke:

[High Plains]

48. The Mexicans are still shipping tons.

We have a two-tier market in this country: Expensive kind bud (unless you grow your own) and cheap Mexican schwag.

The increase in potency is probably due to kind bud's increasing share of the market.

[smoogatz]

2. Bush now taking good news where he finds it, I see.

So few reasons to celebrate these days.

[Kitsune]

4. If the potency is up, wouldn't that mean you need to smoke less to get high?

And therefore inhale less burning carbon?

[pattmarty]

31. Yeah, very true (don't ask). My belief as to why more........

....smokers today use pipes rather than roll their own. With a pipe you can take one or two "hits" and be good, whereas with a "joint" it will burn out from sitting after a few "tokes". This is here say now, I would have no way of knowing this for sure myself.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

68. I believe that's a valid hypothesis

not that I have any direct knowledge either...

[EOTE]

41. That would be a rational way of thinking of it.

But we know how rational this WH is. If MJ was legalized and they controlled its manufacture, you could rest assured that they'd provide nothing but dirt schwag because it's obviously that nasty THC that causes ill effects, not the tar you inhale along with the smoke. Much better to smoke a quarter ounce of ditch weed than a few puff of good sinse.

[jaysunb]

6. " Real " truth, here...

While the drug's potency may be rising, marijuana users generally adjust to the level of potency and smoke it accordingly, said Dr. Mitch Earleywine, who teaches psychology at the State University of New York in Albany and serves as an adviser for marijuana advocacy groups. "Stronger cannabis leads to less inhaled smoke," he said.

Also, I'm didn't know anyone still smoked Mexican dirt weed anymore. :shrug:

[knight_of_the_star]

49. Only those who can't afford anything else

Dishrag weed will always be bought by those who can't afford better, but we don't need to get it from Mexico.

[nomorenomore08]

53. I've lived in Northern California all my life, and I think I've only smoked Mexican shwag once.

At least it was green instead of brown, but it still smelled/tasted like dirt.

[comrade snarky]

83. Hey now

Lets ease up on the Mexican produce here...

Sometimes you're stuck in a border town and it's all you can find. :-) Also, the brown desert grown border stuff is far from the best Mexico puts out, there are some lovely green buds grown in the Yucatan.

Look at me, hardly smoked in years but still opinionated.

[On the Road]

8. I Seem to Remember Hearing This in the 70s

:smoke:

[lolly]

64. I was wondering if someone noticed

I first heard the "parents, pot is MUCH stronger than it was when you were a kid" line in the late 70s.

It resurfaced again about 15 years later, and now here it comes again.

Think for a second--so many people smoke pot in their teens and 20s, and learn it isn't the demon weed the government told them it was. So the anti-drug fanatics have to do something to get everybody riled up.

Hence, the subtext is "Look, I know you all smoked pot in college and it was no big deal, but now it's REALLY BAD. REALLY. Trust us on this. Now go out and make your kid take a urine test."

Fast forward another 1/2 generation, and we have to repeat the cycle.

[merwin]

9. They should know, they're the ones smoking the most of it.

[pleah]

10. More bang for the butt!

I'm all for it! :evilgrin:

[gmudem]

11. They say that like it's a bad thing.

Best news that's come from the white house in 7 years. :)

[Indenturedebtor]

12. No kidding lol

I was just about to post this... quite exciting really :D

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25117595/

One of the last things that's actually made in the US!

[Leeny]

59. Just show me the way...

to the brownies!!!
:smoke: :headbang:

[Warpy]

13. More DEA scare propaganda

You can't overdose on pot. You just go to sleep.

The stupid asses who are the forefront on our losing war on drugs are only drumming up more customers for the supposed "killer pot."

[thecrow]

14. I know that :)

[TomInTib]

28. Well....

I recently ran across some s**t that has the capability to put me in a catatonic trance with only a few hits. And I am no amateur, having been around the block a time or two.

It actually robs me of the ability to walk. And it is straight, I know the grower.

I gave the stuff away and got some Happy Happy Joy Joy.

[THX1138]

39. Does it have a name?

The strain I mean.

[TomInTib]

50. Mendo Purple, I believe it was.

I am talking about some serious shit. Nothing like anything I have ever encountered.

[nomorenomore08]

54. Ahhh, Mendocino bud... I remember maybe 4-5 years ago, people I knew were getting

good stuff from Boonville for like $150 an ounce. Dirt cheap.

[comrade snarky]

84. Overdose is impossible

But don't make my mistake and walk into a Taco Bell with a $20.

Didn't OD but I kinda wanted to die.

[Fovea]

15. When was the last time the federal government

uttered a true statement regarding pot?

Hint: that president had to resign, facing impeachment.

[thecrow]

16. More laughable stuff from the article

"Particularly worrisome is the possibility that the more potent THC might be more effective at triggering the changes in the brain that can lead to addiction," Volkow said.

But there's no data showing that a higher potency in marijuana leads to more addiction, Earleywine said, and marijuana's withdrawal symptoms are mild at best. "Mild irritability, craving for marijuana and decreased appetite - I mean those are laughable when you talk about withdrawal from a drug. Caffeine is worse."
***************
Why does this have no rec's???

[pattmarty]

32. Well, the decreased appetite is a misnomer anyway........

.....as anyone that has smoked weed knows. Your appetite will be exactly the same as before you started smoking.

[chknltl]

69. Re: low recs: Stoned readers perhaps?

I was so wrapped up in reading everyones musings that I didn't think to give the thread the rec it deserves. Your asking, prompted me to give this fascinating thread it's fifth recommendation. :thumbsup:

[jus_the_facts]

17. THEN THE ENTIRE GOV'T SHOULD BE DRUG TESTED!!!!11 n/t

[thecrow]

20. No, they actually voted AGAINST that

I saw it on my congress crittur's voting record that he had voted no on that one. (as opposed to YES for testing, which I happen to think is a very good idea, if only we could find an absolutely apolitical way to do it.) Why should we pay taxpayer money for the salary of a congress person who say, has a coke problem, or who consistently misses votes because s/he is on the nod from downers?

[jus_the_facts]

24. Exactly...there aren't too many places of business that don't make you piss for a job ....

.....they should have been the very FIRST to have to do what is now common practice in the *REAL WORLD* ...whatever that means anymore.

[darue]

18. well at least he's accomplished something n/t

[MindPilot]

19. Meanwhile out west...

There are pot vending machines in LA and the Oaksterdam University has just opened.
From their website:

"Thank you for visiting the official website of Oaksterdam University, a groundbreaking trade school offering quality training for the cannabis industry. Our instructors have over 100 years of combined experience and are eager to spread their knowledge to you. Enrollment space is very limited and is based on a first-come-first-served basis. Class seats fill quickly in advance, so don't delay. You must first enroll in the Semester Class, Basic Package, or individual Politics/Legal Issues 101. Learn about all aspects of the cannabis to prepare you for activism or work in the industry."

http://oaksterdamuniversity.com/

(And in a few days, gay marriage will be legal.)
Like the Arby's ad says "It's better out here."

[pattmarty]

33. I'll bet the classes fill up super fast.

[knight_of_the_star]

51. And the SFPD has classified marijuana possession-related felonies as lowest priority

If they see someone smoking a bud they'll hit the guy littering first. SFPD knows better than to bail out the ocean with a leaky sieve.

[Lethe]

21. Well here's a study that concludes the exact opposite:

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02230.x

http://blog.norml.org/2008/05/28/potent-pot-myths-exposed-again/

"Claims made in the public domain about a 20- or 30-fold increase in cannabis potency and about the adverse mental health effects of cannabis contamination are not supported currently by the evidence."

It doesn't even matter if a strain is more potent or not. If you smoke a bowl and you don't get high enough, you smoke another. If you take one hit and can't move off the couch, then you ain't gonna smoke any more.

An increase in potency is actually good, because you smoke less so there's less inhalation of smoke in your lungs. Thats great news for medical patients who need relief.

[whistle]

22. Of course, what did you expect, it's an election year

[Trillo]

23. Bush's legal defense against Impeachment?

:rofl:

[eppur_se_muova]

25. Should be sold with a label: Portrait of Bu**sh** & the words "BEST EVAH!"

Talk about an endorsement that carries real weight!

[Bluenorthwest]

26. They use this tired old line for one reason

And that reason is that so many people have had personal experience with pot at one point or another so they know exactly what it is. Thus the need to tell them that pot, like Scott McClellen, is not the same thing we once knew. Sure, Mom and Dad, you smoked it for years and had a great time and no harm was done, but that was the old, weak pot. Todays' pot is not the same as that at all, so you actually have no personal experience and what you know to be true is now invalid.

[pattmarty]

35. Remake the movie "Reefer Madness" with this administration as the stars.

[Q3JR4]

57. Unless mom and dad are

still smoking it on a daily (or weekly) basis.....

Q3JR4.

[pattmarty]

27. They oughta know, they've been high for years.

[Betsy Ross]

30. I want some of what they're smoking! eom

[clixtox]

72. Exactly! The first thought I had...

was, "sure would be interesting to see what they are smokin'".

[Algorem]

34. how would a bunch pill junkies ,cokeheads and meth freaks know?

if they'd smoke some grass they'd probably get so paranoid they'd try to hide in one of their desk drawers.

[Dulcinea]

36. And they would know this....how?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[Canuckistanian]

37. Show me all the "marijuana overdose deaths" and I'll pay attention

Otherwise, this is just more fearmongering in response to decriminalization efforts.

[slampoet]

38. This stupid argument again. Hashish has been around for CENTURIES!!

Almost all hash is more powerful than the best marijuana bud.


and the point is moot anyways. People with most powerful weed just smoke less of it.


Nearly no one anymore rolls large joints, now they just smoke small pipefulls.



The headline should be.......BETTER GENERATION OF WEED PREVENTS LUNG DAMAGE IN USERS.

[Politicalboi]

40. I know for fact

That this is BULLSHIT. I have been smokin dope since 1981 and the pot today is absolute garbage compared to the pot back then. They are trying to scare parents into thinking that their children are smoking pot more powerful than they did. My first experience was with a joint that gathered resign after just a few hits on it and my mouth was covered with it. I have yet to this day smoked ANYTHING that comes close. So yet another lie from Bush and his cronies.

[tritsofme]

43. I would guess this has more to do with your tolerance to the drug.

Of course the first time you used marijuana twenty years ago was more intense than what you're doing twenty years later.

I was a regular user in the 70s/80s and the effects of tolerance were very obvious to me.

[Politicalboi]

46. Yes tolerance

Has something to do with it. But to smoke a joint and get resign on my mouth is not tolerance. It was called Humbolt. I smoke today and can still function like it was just a cigarette. Kids these days have funny names for it like Cush or Bubble Gum or Regs. We smoked Skunk, Tai, and Mexican. The skunk weed would stick to the wall if you put it there. The Chocolate Tai was my favorite. I really think it's a scare tactic for parents. I can smoke a bowl or two before going to work and even my eyes are fine. Studies like this piss me off.

[Lorentz]

65. Looks like all that pot did wonders for your spelling....

[slampoet]

75. Ah spelling. What people criticize when they want to appear right, too bad they are really ......

.....being bigots towards people with dyslexia.



Enjoy your prejudice. You wear it so well.

[Lorentz]

82. Dyslexia.... Oh, is that what it is. Silly me....

Good thing there's a medical explanation for not being able to spell, and it's not just ignorance....

And FYI: bad spelling is what people can do to discredit their argument, regardless of its validity. And it seems to happen an awful lot on this forum.

[slampoet]

91. Spell checking discredits nothing.

Only people who can't speak any language other than English this that it has any validity.


In other languages that have consistent rules for spelling they don't have people trying to represent spelling as changing any of the facts of a position. In fact many people (in my experience Hispanics especially) laugh out loud at the idea that the order of letters affects the validity of a political position.

Spell check critics are one of those things that makes people from other countries laugh at Americans.

[slampoet]

92. BTW i see you edited your post,....for spelling?

[Jack Rabbit]

44. Now, who in the White House would really know?

Frat Boy? Pickles? Jenna?

Barney's got too much sense.

[truthisfreedom]

45. Yay! White House assess pot as best ever!

Yay to the druggie in chief!

[Pastiche423]

52. What I want to know..

is where are they getting their shit?

I began smoking pot recreationally in 1972. Then for 17 years I did not smoke at all. Now I smoke it for medicinal reasons.

I can not tell the difference. I wish it were more potent due to the price now versus then. (one ounce $15-20/lid then vs one ounce $350-400 now.)

[WheelWalker]

55. That's what I always thought - the stronger the pot, the better it is for you. nt

[galledgoblin]

56. Mitch Earleywine?!

fuck yeah, I know that guy!!

[bamacrat]

58. I mean come on it is not a gateway drug.

If there is any such thing it would have to be alcohol and tobacco. I cant name one person who smokes pot or does coke that didnt first smoke a cigarette or drink alcohol.

:smoke:

[weezy2736]

60. It looks like I picked the wrong month to quit smoking.

[Generator]

61. Thank Jesus and Maryjane for that!

Afterall the shitola that we have to get through anymore, it certainly needs to be stronger. Thanks for your concern, White House. It's nice you care that we get high. NOW try not to hold is in torture cells without rights and then we'll talk about the fricking pot.

[WhiteTara]

62. they would know this how?

bunch of hypocrites!

[not fooled]

63. Jenna and Barbara say "Yay!"

from http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/2001/03/23/jenna_bush/

Should Jenna Bush, the 19-year-old daughter of the president, be in jail? Or at least be arrested? That's a conclusion to be drawn from a recent report in the National Enquirer that asserts she smokes marijuana. After all, some 600,000 Americans are arrested every year for marijuana possession -- including about 13,000 teenage girls. Some would say, of course, that Jenna Bush shouldn't be hassled for allegedly smoking pot, but then maybe nobody else should either.

"The charge that Jenna smokes marijuana is found in the Enquirer's March 20 issue; the tabloid quotes two unidentified fellow students, one of whom says, "Jenna came over one night and we all did some doobies together. I wouldn't say she's a major pothead but she likes to toke up when it's around.""


from http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-05-07-ashton_x.htm

Ashton Kutcher tells Rolling Stone that he partied with the Bush twins more than a year ago.

"The shaggy-haired TV star tells the magazine he met Barbara and Jenna Bush, now 21, at a party about a year and a half ago, and the sisters (along with a Secret Service agent) went back to his place afterward. "The Bushes were underage-drinking at my house. When I checked outside, one of the Secret Service guys asked me if they'd be spending the night. I said no.

"And then I go upstairs to see another friend, and I can smell the green (marijuana) wafting out under his door. I open the door, and there he is, smoking out the Bush twins on his hookah.""

[alfredo]

66. No, it isn't anymore potent, their new dealer isn't cutting it with oregano.

[chknltl]

70. Absolutely amazing the things one learns in LBN!

:hippie:

[DFW]

71. This would explain a lot

Such as how come Bush thinks the economy is good, oil is cheap, Iraqis love us, and Americans love him.

You need some kind of potency to get those kind of hallucinations.

[The Traveler]

73. Clearly we cannot take this assertion on face value

As a scientist, I feel obligated to submit this conjecture to the test of experiment. Of course, I will have to assess a statistically significant experimental sample. :evilgrin:

[slay]

74. They are just jealous of our awesome weed

They only WISH they had shit like this back in their day. Hehehe. :hippie: :smoke:

[jberryhill]

76. White House Potency - way, way down. /nt

[Caretha]

77. Good News At Last!

Who'd a thunk it?

[Caretha]

78. Self delete

silly thing, posted my reply twice:blush:

[mhatrw]

79. Wow, the only part of our economy that Republicans haven't ruined!

Well, I guess they'll just have to redouble their efforts.

[tridim]

80. Plants have been bred by humans for desirable traits for thousands of years

Why would Cannabis be any different?

Yes, some modern Cannabis strains are very strong, and some smell like fruit, some give you a head high, some put you to sleep, some help with pain and some help with stress.

All these traits have been selected by humans because they are DESIRABLE. Idiots.

[tblue37]

81. It's so strong now that when someone smokes it, people in the next county get high. n/t

[smiley_glad_hands]

85. Highschool kids should not smoke weed.

Save it for college, or whatever you do after highschool.

As far as strength goes, its bs. The good shit has always been around, you just gotta find it.

[Eurobabe]

87. Bush 43 = top tester n/t

[grytpype]

88. All I want to know is... where can I get some of that killer weed they are always talking about?

[Prophet 451]

89. Yes, it's stronger. So what?

The evidence says that for most people, pot is harmless when used responsibly. Yes, you can get psychologically addicted. You can get psychologically addicted to anything. The only real dangers are that someone prone to mental illness may find that illness triggered by pot (and a great many things can act as a trigger), that someone will drive stoned (people still drink and drive and no-one is talking about banning booze) and the fact that in Europe, most people mix their pot with tobacco.

I'm still not seeing anything to convince me that there's some justifiable reason why pot (properly regulated and age limited, natually) shouldn't be legal.

[krkaufman]

90. Sounds like another good reason to legalize it ...

... to regulate the potency, in a manner similar to labeling of alcohol content.