Mary Jane more potent

May 14, 2:04 PMColumbia Health Care ExaminerJan Louthain

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U. S. Government researchers have found that the average potency of marijuana has now exceeded 10%, and they predict it will continue to rise in the future.  Potency is based on the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is a psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.

Government scientists test the THC levels in thousands of samples of seized marijuana every year at the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project.  Project Director Mahmoud ElShohly said some samples had THC levels higher than 30%.

The reason that scientists are concerned is that the higher levels of THC may have the opposite effect of lower levels, and inexperienced users may have dangerous side effects such as depression, paranoia, or irritability.  Although marijuana usage has declined among youngsters over the past few years, the use of the more potent marijuana has led to more emergency room visits and higher admissions to drug treatment programs.

According to Edward Jurity, acting Director, Office of National Drug control Policy, the more potent marijuana of today may cause significant risk to the developing adolescent brain.  Although these findings will probably have little effect on young users, it's hoped they will realize that today's marijuana is not the same as their dad's marijuana of 30 years ago which contained only about 4% THC.

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