CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HAS LED TO A BOOM IN POTENT FORMS OF THE DRUG THAT PRESENT NEW HAZARDS FOR ADOLESCENTS

Cannabis Legalization Has Led to a Boom in Potent Forms of the Drug That Present New Hazards for Adolescents

April 23rd, 07AM April 23rd, 07AM

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Ty Schepis,

Texas State University

(THE CONVERSATION) Eventually, most adults reach a point where we realize we are out of touch with those much younger than us.

Perhaps it is a pop culture reference that sparks the realization. For me, this moment happened when I was in my late 20s and working with adolescents in school settings to help them quit smoking. When other drugs would occasionally come up, I didn't understand some of the slang terms they used for these drugs. Many people may have that feeling now when the topic of cannabis comes up – especially in its

different and newer forms.

As a professor of psychology,

I focus my research on substance usein adolescents and young adults. A major change during my time in research is the

legalization and explosion of cannabis availabilityacross the U.S.

There are

arguments for and against increasing legalization of cannabisfor adult use in the U.S., but expanded access to legal cannabis also may have unintended consequences for adolescents. These consequences are compounded by the

increasing potency of some cannabis products.

A shifting landscape

I use the word "cannabis" since it refers to the

plant from which the drugs are derived. It also serves as a catch-all term for any substance with chemical compounds from cannabis plants and addresses concerns that the word

marijuana has some long-standing racist overtones.

Cannabis now comes in a larger variety of forms than it used to. When most people over 40 think of cannabis, they imagine its dried form for smoking. This cannabis was not particularly strong: The

average THC concentrationof cannabis seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency in 1995 was 4%,

while it was roughly 15% in 2021.

In addition to the smoked form, some might remember an edible form, often baked into a dessert like a brownie, or

hashish, which is

derived from more potent partsof the cannabis plant.

Today there are many different

cannabis concentratesthat have

high levels of THC, typically ranging from

40% to 70%, and more than 80% in some cases, depending on the method of extraction.

These include oils that can be vaporized by vape or dab pens, waxier substances and even powders.

How cannabis derivatives interact with the brain

THC and

cannabidiol, or CBD, are the most common chemicals in cannabis. Each one interacts with the brain in different ways, producing different perceived effects.

CBD

does not produce the same "high"that THC does, and cannabidiol may have

benefits as a medication for severe epilepsy, as well as other

potential but as yet unproven medical uses. The differences between THC and CBD come from how they interact with cannabinoid receptors – the proteins onto which these drugs attach – in the brain and body.

However, CBD can also make people sleepy,

alter mood in unintended waysand cause stomach upset. Never use a CBD product without consulting a physician.

The changing nature of cannabis products

THC is the chemical most strongly associated with the high from cannabis. By increasing the amount of THC, concentrated products can increase blood levels of THC rapidly and

more strongly than nonconcentratessuch as traditional smoked cannabis.

Cannabis concentrates also come in many different forms that range from waxy or creamy to hard and brittle. They are made in a

variety of waysthat may require dry ice, water or flammable solvents such as butane.

The myriad names for cannabis concentrates can be confusing. Concentrate names include "budder," which refers to a yellowish paste like frosting; "shatter" is made similarly to budder but comes in a thin, brittle and translucent form; there's also "wax" or "crumble," which confusingly is not waxy but is more like a powdery or grainy substance; and "keef" or "kief," which is powdery in nature and derived from the most potent parts of the cannabis plant. It is similar to hashish.

The names change regularly and can

vary by guideor from person to person. It is best to ask what a term means from an open and curious place than to act as if you know all the terminology.

Many concentrates are vaporized and inhaled. Vaporizing is different than smoking, as vaporizing heats the concentrate until it becomes a gas, which is inhaled. Smoking involves burning the compound to produce an inhaled gas.

Many who vaporize concentrates call it "

dabbing." This refers to the dab of concentrate to heat, vaporize and inhale.

Another way to

vaporize cannabis concentrates is to use a vape pen. Vape pens are sometimes also called dab pens, depending on the local terms.

Cannabis use and adolescents

One of the reasons why young people are drawn to these sorts of products is that vaping or dabbing the concentrated form makes it easier to hide cannabis use. Vaping cannabis does not create the typical smell associated with weed.

A 2021 systematic review found that past-year cannabis vaping nearly doubled from 2017 to 2020 in adolescents -

jumping from 7.2% to 13.2%. A more recent study in five northeastern U.S. states found that

12.8% of adolescents vaped cannabis in the past 30 days, a more narrow time frame that suggests potential increases in use. In addition, a 2020 study found that one-third of adolescents who vape

do so with cannabis concentrates.

Cannabis use by adolescents is scary because it can alter the way their brains develop. Research shows that the brains of adolescents who use cannabis are

less primed to changein response to new experiences, which is a key part of adolescent development. Adolescents who use cannabis are also more likely to

experience symptoms of schizophrenia,

struggle more in schooland

engage in other risky behaviors.

The risks of cannabis use are

even greater with concentratesbecause of the high levels of THC. This is true for both adolescents and adults, with greater risk for

symptoms of schizophreniasuch as hallucinations and delusions,

mental health symptoms and more severe cannabis use.

The best analogy is with another drug – alcohol. Most people know that a 12-ounce beer is much less potent than 12 ounces of vodka. Cannabis in smoked form is closer to the beer, while a concentrate is more like the vodka. Neither is safe for an adolescent, but one is even more dangerous.

These dangers make early conversations with kids about cannabis and cannabis concentrates critically important. Research

consistently showsthat

expressing disapprovalof drug use makes adolescents less likely to start drug use.

Start these conversationsearly – ideally before middle school. You can find some

helpful online resourcesto

guide the conversation.

While these conversations can be uncomfortable, and you can look like the out-of-touch adult, they can be a major step toward preventing adolescents from using cannabis and other drugs.

This article is part of Legal cannabis turns 10,a series examining the impact of a decade of recreational cannabis use.