Modern Cannabis is not the “Hippie Weed” from the 1960’s. Its a highly altered super plant that’s 250 times stronger than the original plant species. This manipulation caused a rise in THC levels that has been linked to Schizophrenia, and other psychoactive disorders. Our country has changed the attitude and use of marijuana from a recreational drug to a substance that has perceived medicinal value. As of February 2022, 37 states, three territories and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products. California was the first state that voted to approve legal use of medical marijuana. The saying goes: “As California goes, so goes the country.” Although, the U.S. Federal Government still classifies it as “illegal” for any use and for good reasons.
The cannabis plant was native to Central and South Asia and when used in any form becomes a psychoactive drug. For centuries, cultures have used such plants for pseudo medicine and religious purposes. The problem with marijuana is that it doesn’t fit into any one drug classification, and is always varying based on the scientific manipulation of the plant. It’s listed by chemists as a depressant with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. “Hippie Weed” had average THC levels between 2-5%. Today the mildest forms of marijuana strains have between 10-12%. Many land around 15-20%, and the strongest can be found as high as 25%. This is alarming!
Marijuana use is outpacing cigarette use for the first time on record. A recent NPR health article (August 30, 2022) suggests that “more people in the U.S. are now smoking marijuana than cigarettes, according to a Gallup poll.” Sixteen percent of Americans say they smoke marijuana, with 48% saying they have tried it at some point in their lives. In 1969, only 4% of Americans said they smoked marijuana. Attitudes around both substances have also shifted dramatically. In 2019, 83% of Americans said they thought cigarettes were “very harmful” to smokers, yet in this latest July poll, 53% of people said they think marijuana has positive effects on those who use it.
The clear problem is the way that marijuana has been portrayed to our society. It is perceived as a much safer drug than alcohol. The manipulated national impression, is that it has significant medical benefits, when there has never been real evidence for it.
It’s actually the exact opposite, as reported in this monumental Finnish study titled, “Substance-Induced Psychoses Converting Into Schizophrenia” (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih #23419236) that followed 18,478 cases in their national health system.
They found that the increased levels and high potency of THC causes paranoia. The younger the abuser, the higher levels of brain altering effects occurred. A frightening 35% of patients suffered psychotic symptoms. They concluded that “cannabis has by far the highest conversion rate to schizophrenia of any substance — higher than meth, higher than opioids, higher than LSD.” They put the user’s chances of developing schizophrenia at close to 50% with daily marijuana use.
There were 29 other national studies that linked marijuana to schizophrenia. They all found similar results as the Finnish study. There is a mountain of data that shows how marijuana alters the brain, especially in our children. Our society needs to reconsider these marijuana legalization laws, publicize the scientific studies, and stop this 13 billion dollar weed industry from destroying our youth and culture at large. ◆
