Generation Z's Marijuana

Gummy bears or weed?

Some form of addictive plant or drug has been present since the beginning of time. Cultures around the world each had a “sacred herb” or intoxicating drink its member partake of. As society has evolved, so has drug use.

Today, potent, synthetically produced and man-made, adulterated drugs exist more than ever. No longer are our children exposed to low-grade, compressed brick marijuana, alcohol and small-batch LSD. “Research” chemicals like 2Ce, 2Ci, Fentanyl and extremely high THC marijuana edibles disguised at Sour Patch Kids or candy bars are wreaking havoc in high schools nationwide, causing numerous hospitalizations, ICU admissions and, in some cases, death due to life-threatening, erratic behavior caused by acute intoxication.

Marijuana of years past was considerably low-grade, containing only a fraction of the THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) currently found in today’s super high-potency pot. Hybridization of marijuana plants over the past two decades has created very high-potency weed that would have knocked out any burnt-out hippie from years ago. We now have strains of marijuana with dangerously high THC levels being processed to make ready-to-eat “edibles” that take the form of a seemingly innocent gummy bear or chocolate bar.

The Edible Problem

Marijuana “edibles” produce two major problems. The first problem is that high-school kids can now pack edible pot in their lunches, eat them, share them with friends and no one is the wiser. Teachers and other faculty think they’re just eating a plain old piece of candy…not getting stoned out of their minds.

The second problem edibles pose is overdosing. Consumers may not realize that marijuana, when eaten, can take up to an hour to pass through the digestive tract and take effect in the brain. This results in people taking additional “doses,” thinking they haven’t taken enough, causing acute THC overdose.

THC Overdose

The symptoms of THC overdose are:

- Rapid heart rate

- Difficulty breathing

- Severe Paranoia

- Disorientation

- Delirium

- Panic Attacks

THC overdoses have increased exponentially, especially in Colorado where recreational use of cannabis has been fully legalized. According to a recent article, an exchange student from the Congo ingested a cookie that contained 6 doses of THC while on vacation in Colorado. He became psychotic and eventually jumped to his death from a 4th story balcony. The Children’s Hospital of Colorado reported 14 children under the age of 10 were admitted for ingesting edibles, probably thinking they were a “normal” cookie or piece of candy. Seven of those children were listed as being in critical condition and required admittance to the intensive care unit (http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2015/1/8/colorado-marijuanaediblesinfusedthcoverdose.html). 

While most people who use marijuana are fully aware of THC’s effects and how it reacts in their bodies, there is a whole group of “pot tourists” who visit states that have legalized pot recreationally and don’t have the faintest clue how to properly dose edibles or even smokable forms of marijuana. A person sees a “candy bar” as single dose and consumes it when, in reality, the “candy bar” contains 10 doses. This is how easy a mistake can be made. THC overdose occurs, panic sets it and the person launches themselves off a balcony.

We live in a day and age where drugs are becoming more potent, more widely available and in cleverly disguised forms. When heroin wasn’t good enough anymore, society created Fentanyl, now responsible for thousands upon thousands of deaths worldwide. When average weed was no longer satisfying the “needs” of the public, society created ultra-strong marijuana plants and edibles causing hospitalizations, overdoses and, yes, deaths.  

Instead of escaping from reality and “needing something to take the edge off” we, as a culture, need to learn how to be comfortable in our own skin and find workable solutions to life’s problems rather than use any form of escapism we can find to “just not think about it” for a while.

If you or a loved one has a problem with marijuana abuse, don’t wait, call Narconon Suncoast today!


Sources used:

http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2015/1/8/colorado-marijuanaediblesinfusedthcoverdose.html

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/m/marijuana_overdose/symptoms.htm


AUTHOR

Jason Good

Jason has been working in the field of addiction and recovery for over 11 years. Having been an addict himself he brings real-word experience to the table when helping addicts and their families, while also offering a first-person perspective to the current drug crisis. Jason is passionate about educating the public about what’s currently going on in our society, and thankfully, offers practical solutions. Jason is also the co-host of The Addiction Podcast—Point of No Return. You can follow Jason on Google+, Twitter, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

NARCONON SUNCOAST

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION