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Pro-cannabis promotors declared unwaveringly and repeatedly that,
Of course, anyone not caught in the smoke-bank of weed-mania (or perhaps better labelled, neo-reefer madness?) knew none of these promised outcomes would emerge. However, the very cashed up pro-pot lobby and their propaganda juggernaut overwhelmed the underprepared lawmakers and politicians – or perhaps weary and willing ones? Regardless, the ‘experiment’ not only is failing, but has failed, and is continuing to increase harms to our communities the longer it runs.
Research is always slow to catch up, due to both time and money, but another emerging and important piece has just been published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. This study only scratches the surface of the why of the subject matter, as anecdata continues to bring up the fact that not only is illegal product cheaper and easier to get, but still a revenue stream for anyone who wants to grow and sell their own.
Of course, ‘policing’ around this now three market arena has taken on a new look. New regulations come in and policing is required. And, of course, we now have an entire new bureaucracy that needs an every increasing funding.
Hmmm, who knew?
Again, only the community caring, best-practice pursuing and family building actors, who care more for people than for ‘getting high’ and making a fast buck on the back of an addiction for profit industry.
Reasons for Purchasing Cannabis from Illegal Sources in Legal Markets: Findings Among Cannabis Consumers in Canada and U.S. States, 2019–2020
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 83(3), 392–401 (2022). Published Online: May 23, 2022
Abstract
Objective: Nonmedical cannabis is legal in Canada and several U.S. states. Displacing the illegal market is a primary goal of legalization; however, there are little data on factors that predict consumers’ transition from the illegal to the legal market. The current study aimed to examine reasons for purchasing illegal cannabis and, thus, potential barriers to purchasing legal cannabis among consumers in Canada and U.S. states.
Method: Data are from the 2019 and 2020 International Cannabis Policy Study, a repeat cross-sectional survey conducted among 16- to 65-year-olds. Reasons for purchasing illegally in the past 12 months were asked of male and female cannabis consumers in Canada and U.S. legal states (n = 11,659). Changes over time in reasons for illegal purchasing were tested. Analyses among Canadians also examined associations between reasons for illegal purchasing and objective data on cannabis prices and retail density.
Results: In both years, the most commonly reported barriers to legal purchasing were price (Canada: 35%–36%; United States: 27%) and inconvenience (Canada: 17%–20%; U.S.: 16%–18%). In 2020 versus 2019, several factors were less commonly reported as barriers in Canada, including inconvenience (17% vs. 20%, p = .011) and location of legal sources (11% vs. 18%, p < .001). Certain barriers increased in the United States, including slow delivery (5% vs. 8%, p = .002) and requiring a credit card (4% vs. 6%, p = .008). In Canada, consumers in provinces with more expensive legal cannabis were more likely to report price as a barrier, and those in provinces with fewer legal retail stores were more likely to report inconvenience as a barrier (p < .001).
Conclusions: Higher prices and inconvenience of legal sources were common barriers to purchasing legal cannabis. Future research should examine how perceived barriers to legal purchasing change as legal markets mature.
For complete research https://www.jsad.com/doi/10.15288/jsad.2022.83.392
Further Reading:
Then There were Three – Marijuana Markets
'The legal stuff is garbage': why Canada's cannabis black market keeps thriving
How Legal Marijuana Is Helping the Black Market
California Cannabis Industry Sending SOS To State Leaders as Black Market Continues to Thrive
Video: Kevin Sabet Addresses the United Nations INCB, May 2022 – Cannabis
By Communications Team
The environmental disaster that is cannabis cultivation has an ever-burgeoning narrative of harm that is being largely over-looked by environmental groups…We wonder why?
Interest in growing cannabis for medical and recreational purposes is increasing worldwide. This study reviews the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. Results show that both indoor and outdoor cannabis growing is water-intensive. The high water demand leads to water pollution and diversion, which could negatively affect the ecosystem. Studies found out that cannabis plants emit a significant amount of biogenic volatile organic compounds, which could cause indoor air quality issues. Indoor cannabis cultivation is energy-consuming, mainly due to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting.
Energy consumption leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Cannabis cultivation could directly contribute to soil erosion. Meanwhile, cannabis plants have the ability to absorb and store heavy metals. It is envisioned that technologies such as precision irrigation could reduce water use, and application of tools such as life cycle analysis would advance understanding of the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. (click here)
Power Hungry Pot
Did You Know?
America’s patchwork approach to legalizing weed has helped make cannabis cultivation one of the most energy-intensive crops in the nation. And as states increasingly embrace marijuana, a growing source of greenhouse gases is going essentially unnoticed by climate hawks on Capitol Hill. (click here)
Water Wasting Weed
The other massive distress this ‘product’ places on our ever-fragile ecosystems in with cannabis insatiable thirst for water.
The Toxicity of Touting THC
Last, but by no means least is the toxic footprint many cannabis grows contribute to environmental harms. Ironically, cannabis can be a useful Phyto-remedial plant, and is used to ‘soak up’ even radioactive toxins, (and so can sunflowers for that matter) but when it’s cultivated for recreational use, or even the very limited quasi-medicinal properties, it does the opposite to its potential environmental contribution.
There is, and we must say – not unsurprisingly – a recent dearth of data on these incredible environmental harms in the past four to five years, despite the fact that the #cannabisindustry has grown significantly, along with its ever-destructive environmental footprint.
The ‘Green’ wave of environmental awareness is being undermined by the ‘green waive’ of the #addiction for profit ‘Weed’ movement.
Does anyone care?
Certainly not if they are basking in the a-motivational, haze of careless-ness that typifies the #cannabisculture just celebrated two days ago on #420 Weed Day!
Further Information:
Make it a Happy Earth Day 2022 and
Stop the Pot!
For more go to Cultivating Disaster and www.silentpoison.com
Research & Communications Team @ Dalgarno Institute
This now 7 year old World Health Organisation Overview on Cannabis Harms, whilst accurate and even predictive, is now looking a little 'light on' with data.
The increasing bredth and depth of cannabis concern and carnage continues to grow and whilst pro-pot progagandist work tirelessly to bury this emerging data, the evidence of the short, medicum and long-term #harms of #cannabis continue to rise.
Excerpt 9.1.4 What do we know about the long-term effects of regular cannabis use?
We know the following:
1. Cannabis produces a full range of transient schizophrenia-like positive, negative and cognitive symptoms in some healthy individuals.
2. In those harbouring a psychotic disorder, cannabis may exacerbate symptoms, trigger relapse and have negative consequences on the course of the illness.
3. With heavy cannabis use, susceptible individuals in the general population develop a psychotic illness which is associated with age of onset of use, strength of THC in the cannabis, frequency of use and duration of use.
4. Cannabis use is associated with lowering the age of onset of schizophrenia it is likely that cannabis exposure is a “component cause” that interacts with other factors to precipitate schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder, but is neither necessary nor sufficient to do so alone. Symptoms of schizophrenia increase with cannabis use and strength. The magnitude of the symptoms is associated with the amount used and the frequency of use.
5. Daily use in adolescence and young adulthood is associated with a variety of negative health and psychological outcomes. These include:
Dalgarno Institute Research Team
Not only is Cannabis genotoxic to the user, but clearly that damage is passed on intergenerationally. Any #publichealth policy maker worth their salt would be putting these harms front and center of cannabis policy pritority. If this was actually done, this 'train wreck' of the commercialized cannabis industry, would stop.
Background: Cannabis (marijuana) is one of the most abused drugs worldwide. The increasing availability of cannabis has been associated with increased emergency department (ED) visits. There is a wide range of presentations documented in the recent literature, and the full scope of symptoms in young children is not fully known.
Objective: The primary objectives were to gather information regarding the characteristics in the presentation of the children with positive cannabinoid urine drug screen (UDS) results in the ED and to determine if there are certain common presentations with cannabinoid ingestion or inhalation.
Design/methods: This study was a descriptive retrospective chart review from March 2013 to June 2020 of pediatric patients <18 years old with positive UDS for cannabinoids. Data collected included age, gender, chief complaint, history, review of systems, vital signs, physical exam findings, laboratory studies, imaging findings, and disposition. Four hundred and twenty-two charts were included in the study. Analysis was done using Stata 13 (College Station, TX).
Results: The data showed that there was a significant increase in the number of pediatric patients with a positive UDS after cannabis legalization. Using cases from November 2013 to November 2019 showed 71% of cases presented after legalization on November 8, 2016 (Z=7.72, p<.01). The majority of cases were patients between the ages of 15 and 17 (78%). 43% (n=182) of patients presented with chief complaints of suicidal ideation. The other most common chief complaints were vomiting (8%, n=33), nausea (5%, n=22), trauma (5%, n=21), and altered mental status (AMS) (5%, n=20). The most common vital sign abnormalities included tachycardia (27%, n=115) and hypertension (18%, n=74). Forty-two percent of patients had tests ordered during their visit with 7% undergoing head computerized tomography. On the UDS, 28% of patients were positive for at least one other drug with amphetamine being the most common (13%, n=55).
Conclusion: Our data showed a significant increase in the number of cases since the legalization of cannabis in 2016, supporting the need for ED physicians to become more familiar with cannabis intoxication and its complications. The presentations of these patients can vary greatly. Common presentations include suicidal ideation, nausea/vomiting, AMS, and trauma with vital sign abnormalities including tachycardia and hypertension. Physicians should continue to consider cannabis use when evaluating these pediatric complaints. It may decrease the number of tests ordered in this patient population.
For complele research go to Cureus | Varied Presentations of Pediatric Patients With Positive Cannabinoid Tests
So, who is paying the price? Everyone, but no more devastatingly than our emerging generation!
(click image to watch video)
“We do need to worry about young people”: Doctors reveal surge in psychosis linked to cannabis
The number of Scots suffering mental illness linked to cannabis has surged since use of the drug was effectively decriminalised.
Figures reveal the number of users being hospitalised because of psychiatric issues has climbed by 74% since 2016 when police began warning those caught with the drug for their own use.
The admissions data has prompted experts to call for a reassessment of the risks posed by cannabis in comparison to Class A drugs and alcohol and urgent action to bolster support for users trying to give up.
Professor Jonathan Chick, medical director of a world-leading rehab clinic in the Borders, said the figures confirmed his experience, adding: “The eye has been taken off the ball with cannabis. We do need to worry about the numbers of young people presenting with psychosis and schizophrenia because of it.”
In January 2016, Police Scotland changed the guidance to officers, advising that simple possession of cannabis could be dealt with using a warning rather than a report to the Fiscal and possible prosecution.
Comparing the data from 2015/16 to the latest figures reveals the number of prosecutions has more than halved from 1,809 to 877 in 2019/20. However, drug-related hospital stays due to mental or behavioural problems linked to cannabis use rose by 74% from 1,191 to 2,067 last year. And in 2020/21, a record 1,263 new patients sought hospital treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders blamed on the drug, including schizophrenia.
A recent report by Public Health Scotland states: “There has been a notable increase in the percentage of [psychiatric hospital] stays attributed to cannabinoids in recent years, increasing from 9% in 2014/15 to 18% in 2019/20.”
He said: “We’re dealing with both dependence and psychosis. Often, where there has been a second or third psychotic breakdown, there has been hospital or police involvement because of incidents of self-harm or harm to others. These patients have terrifying thoughts.
“It is a paranoid psychosis where they can’t even go into the street without misinterpreting thoroughly innocuous cues as malevolent. It is a horrible experience.
“In some cases, people have used cannabis for 20 years and got by up till that point, but, typically, psychosis will occur within the first three to four years.
“Sometimes the damage is permanent in which case the treatment for schizophrenia involves living and working in safer environments and medication – though there is no medication that doesn’t come without effects such as weight increase, mental slowing and involuntary movements.”
Researchers in the US have bolstered the link between cannabis and mental illness. Recent analysis by McLean Hospital, Massachusetts, found that admissions due to cannabis-associated psychosis are up to 2.5 times higher in parts of the country where the drug has been legalised.
Meanwhile, Harvard Medical School studied 246 new psychosis patients aged 16-35 and discovered that a total of 78% had used cannabis. In all, 47% were currently or had been dependent on the drug – compared with 5% in the general young population.
The onset of the damage caused by cannabis was often swift. The typical age of first use was 15 with symptoms appearing between 17 and 19 and psychosis setting in between 19 and 21.
Annemarie Ward, chief executive of the charity Faces & Voices of Recovery, said: “We’re still in the grip of this really worrying narrative that cannabis is about peace, love and opening your mind with no harm done. In fact, the current type is addictive and psychoactive with horrendous consequences.
“The cannabis myth has to be challenged but the preventive messages to children and young people are not loud or clear.
“Every warning handed out should come with a referral to a local drugs centre where that person is assessed and given help where it’s needed – before it ever gets to the stage where they have to be admitted to hospital.”
CBD is another – though this is far more benign, the one that is the focus of medicinal cannabis. However, research shows that THC damages the crucial links between brain cells.
These bridges in the brain’s neural network are burnt temporarily, potentially causing the classic hallmarks of psychotic episodes: hallucinations, delusions and voices in one’s head. But, over time, the damage can become permanent and the spells of detachment from the real world longer-lasting and more frequent.
Last year, German research also found a link with lung cancer, separate to the risk posed by tobacco smoke. Munich’s Ludwig-Maximilian University looked at those with a genetic liability to lifetime cannabis use and found that their risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma is 22% higher.
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Anton Stephenson said: “Recorded police warnings in cases involving a single charge of possession of a controlled drug gives officers another tool to support those at risk of becoming vulnerable in our communities.
Issuing such a warning is not the only option available to officers dealing with people in these circumstances and officers can use their discretion to determine the best course of action.”
He added: “Our advice is simple: there is no safe way to take drugs, there is always a risk, and the only way of staying safe is to avoid drugs altogether.”
My happy, lovely son is gone. We only have a shell of him now and my heart is breaking
Alexander was 12 when he first smoked cannabis and by the time he was 14 he was undergoing psychiatric care after suffering hallucinations and threatening to kill
his mother.
His descent into serious mental illness came after he was first given the drug by friends, before buying it online from dealers and eventually selling it himself to fund his own habit.
Today, Alexander is 19, does not have the capacity to live alone and probably never will, says his mother. “He is so damaged by cannabis that he will not likely hold down a job, get married, drive a car or live independently and will miss out on all the lovely life events most of us will take for granted,” she said.
“Before he started smoking cannabis he was very keen on sports at school and would go running and swimming with his brothers.
“But within a few months of smoking cannabis he had become secretive, would go out as soon as he came home from school, spent a lot of time in his room and became isolated from us all.
“The happy son who had been open and sharing became a recluse, hiding a drugs habit from me.
“I discovered it all by finding drugs in his schoolbag and confronted him with it. Of course, he promised to give it up but only became more secretive and I could still smell it on him, and his behaviour worsened.”
It was only when Michelle, who lives in the Central Belt, accessed his social media accounts that she realised how bad his habit was.
“He was selling the drug to others so he could afford to buy it for himself. When he didn’t smoke cannabis or skunk, he would buy powerful cannabis oil to get the same or a stronger effect, which I feel triggered the psychosis,” she added.
“Alexander was so disturbed and psychotic at times he would think the dog was speaking to him. It all got too much when he wakened me one night threatening me with a glass. I had reached the end of coping with this on my own.”
Attempts to seek help from the family GP only resulted in assurances that many teenagers dabble in drugs but that it rarely led to long-lasting problems. “I could not get anyone to take us seriously and in desperation went to A&E at hospital where the consultant confirmed my son was mentally ill and needed to be admitted – sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
“After he was sectioned he spent almost two years in a psychiatric unit where he underwent drug treatment for psychosis. I visited him every day because it was so important to let him know we still cared for and loved him – and always would.”
“Alexander left hospital during the first wave of the Covid pandemic and has been living at home since, totally dependent on his family.
“When I asked the police to investigate the amount of drugs sold online they refused, and only seemed interest in what we all might think as bigger drugs. The son I had has gone, dead, killed by cannabis. He has been replaced by a shell and my heart breaks for him.”
Names have been changed.
For complete article go to "We do need to worry about young people": Doctors reveal surge in psychosis linked to cannabis - The Sunday Post
Also see
Communications Team - Dalgarno Institute
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