Scientists Warn of Increased Cannabis Potency and Addiction Risks Amid Rising Use
Scientists are highlighting significant changes in cannabis potency and the associated risks of addiction and cognitive impairment. Deborah Hasin, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, notes that unlike alcohol or cigarettes, cannabis lacks a standardized unit for dosing, making it difficult to measure. The concentration of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient, has dramatically increased from approximately 4% in the 1960s and 1970s to 90-95% in some modern products like vape cartridges and 'dabs.' This surge in potency is suspected to contribute to emerging negative consequences. Joshua Gowin, an associate professor of radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz, suggests that this higher potency could be playing a role in these negative outcomes. Research indicates that about three in ten cannabis users develop a cannabis use disorder, characterized by a loss of control over drug use despite negative life consequences. This disorder is becoming more prevalent ... 
