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The Scale of Contamination: When Los Angeles city officials conducted covert testing of dispensary products, their findings were alarming. Two out of three samples contained pesticide levels up to a thousand times the legal limit. This isn’t an isolated incident. Similar investigations in Washington state revealed that five out of six samples were contaminated with potentially neurotoxic and carcinogenic agents. Even more concerning, many samples contained multiple contaminants, with researchers identifying 24 distinct pesticide agents, including various insecticides and fungicides—none of which have been approved for use on cannabis.
The problem becomes particularly acute with concentrated cannabis products. Studies have shown that pesticide levels in concentrated forms, such as oils and waxes used in edibles or dabbing, can be approximately ten times higher than in the original plant material. This intensified toxicity in concentrated products poses a significant public health threat, especially considering the growing popularity of these consumption methods.
Exposure and Health Risks: The method of consumption significantly affects pesticide exposure levels. While filtered cigarettes only transmit about 10% of pesticides to the user—a rate comparable to using cannabis in a water pipe with attached filters—the story changes dramatically with common consumption methods. Regular bong use allows approximately half of the pesticides to reach the lungs, and glass pipes present even greater exposure risks.
The health implications are particularly concerning for medical marijuana patients. These individuals, often already dealing with serious health conditions, may inadvertently exacerbate their problems through exposure to these contaminated products. Without proper regulatory frameworks, the toxicological threat to cannabis users remains substantial.
The Regulatory Challenge: The heart of the problem lies in a complex regulatory landscape. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasn’t approved any pesticides for cannabis cultivation because marijuana remains federally illegal. This legal limbo has created a situation where growers, overwhelmed by pest issues, sometimes resort to “nuclear tactics,” using whatever means necessary to protect their crops—regardless of safety considerations.
Some states have attempted to address this issue through regulation, but they’ve encountered a formidable obstacle: the multi-billion-dollar cannabis industry itself. In Colorado, for instance, the Department of Agriculture’s initial proposal to limit permissible pesticides to the most non-toxic options was defeated by industry pushback. This resistance to regulation bears a striking resemblance to the historical actions of the tobacco industry.
The Big Tobacco Parallel: Internal documents revealed through tobacco industry lawsuits show that major multinational tobacco companies have been preparing to enter the legalised marijuana market since at least 1970. This potential entry of “Big Tobacco” into cannabis raises serious concerns, given the industry’s historical playbook: denying addiction potential, downplaying adverse health effects, rapidly creating and protecting market share through lobbying and campaign contributions, and successfully avoiding consumer protection legislation.
The situation has become so concerning that some testing labs in California have become reluctant to publicise their services or list the agents they can test for, fearing this information might be used as a guide by unscrupulous growers to seek even more toxic alternatives.
The emergence of “King Cannabis” following Big Tobacco’s blueprint presents a significant challenge to public health advocates, who have considerably fewer financial resources to fight for consumer protection. The industry’s demonstrated ability to modify products to increase addictiveness, obscure information, deceive the public, and target vulnerable groups gives it enormous power to reshape the cannabis landscape.
Source (WRD News)
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Cannabis use among adolescents and young adults has become a significant area of concern, especially regarding its potential impact on academic performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics explores the association between cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood and academic achievement, shedding light on the implications of early cannabis exposure.
Overview of the Meta-Analysis
This comprehensive meta-analysis evaluated data from 63 studies, encompassing 438,329 individuals, to determine the impact of cannabis use on academic outcomes. The studies analysed were selected through a meticulous search of several databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to November 10, 2023. The review provides moderate-certainty evidence linking cannabis use with lower academic achievement.
Key Findings on Academic Performance
The findings indicate that cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood is associated with several adverse academic outcomes. Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that cannabis users are less likely to achieve high school completion, university enrollment, and postsecondary degree attainment. Specifically, the odds ratio (OR) for achieving grades B and above is 0.61 (95% CI, 0.52-0.71), indicating a probable decrease in academic performance.
School Dropout and Absenteeism
Cannabis use is also associated with increased school dropout rates and absenteeism. The meta-analysis reveals an OR of 2.19 (95% CI, 1.73-2.78) for school dropout and 2.31 (95% CI, 1.76-3.03) for absenteeism. These statistics highlight the potential educational disruptions caused by cannabis use during critical developmental periods.
University Enrollment and Postsecondary Attainment
The likelihood of university enrollment and postsecondary degree attainment is negatively impacted by cannabis use, with ORs of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.60-0.87) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.62-0.77), respectively. These figures suggest that cannabis users are less likely to pursue higher education, which can have long-term implications for career prospects and socioeconomic status.
Employment and Cannabis Use
Low-certainty evidence from the analysis suggests that cannabis use may be linked to increased unemployment, with an OR of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.15-1.96). This association underscores the potential economic consequences of cannabis use, as it may hinder individuals’ ability to secure and maintain employment.
Subgroup Analyses
The review also includes subgroup analyses that indicate worse academic outcomes for students who frequently use cannabis or begin using it at an earlier age. These findings emphasise the importance of understanding different patterns of cannabis use and their distinct impacts on educational attainment.
While the review highlights significant associations between cannabis use and academic performance, it also points to the need for further research to explore interventions and policies that can mitigate the negative effects of cannabis exposure during adolescence. Understanding upstream and downstream factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to support youth education and wellbeing.
Source: JAMA Pediatrics
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A comprehensive study involving data from 63 studies and nearly 440,000 youths has indicated a significant association between marijuana use and poor academic outcomes among teenagers. According to the research, teens who use cannabis are more likely to experience lower school grades, a reduced likelihood of completing high school, and decreased chances of enrolling in or graduating from university. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, also notes that chronic marijuana use during adolescence can lead to long-term changes in brain architecture, impairing cognitive and memory functions. This analysis provides “moderate-certainty” evidence linking adolescent cannabis use to a 39% higher probability of lower grades and more than double the odds of school dropout and absenteeism.
The findings underscore the urgent need for effective interventions to prevent early cannabis exposure, as public acceptance of marijuana grows alongside its legalisation. The study further highlights that more than 3 million U.S. youths aged 12 to 17 have used cannabis in the past year, a figure that surpasses the usage rates of other illicit drugs. Despite the compelling data, researchers note that the study does not definitively prove causation, as factors like mental health issues may predispose some teens to both cannabis use and academic struggles. However, the results emphasise the critical nature of addressing marijuana use during adolescence to mitigate its potential impact on educational attainment.
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Growing Concerns Over Cannabis Use
As more jurisdictions move towards legalising cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, the perception of its risks has notably diminished. However, recent studies suggest that users may need to reassess these risks, particularly concerning cardiovascular health. Dr. Angelos Katramados, a neurologist and director of the acute stroke unit at Henry Ford Health, underscores the urgency for comprehensive research into the implications of cannabis use on stroke risk.
Study Highlights Increased Risks: A pivotal study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has brought attention to the potential dangers of regular cannabis consumption. The research indicates that daily users may face a 25% higher likelihood of experiencing a heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. This study analysed data from over 434,000 respondents between 2016 to 2020, revealing a striking correlation between frequent cannabis use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
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The growing prevalence of cannabis use for both recreational and medical purposes has brought increased scrutiny to its potential side effects, particularly concerning sleep and memory. Recent research has revealed intriguing connections between long-term cannabis use, sleep disturbances, and memory issues.
One of the critical insights from the research is the apparent contradiction between the common use of cannabis as a sleep aid and its observed impact on sleep quality. Lead author Tracy Brown emphasised that despite being a primary motive for cannabis use, long-term consumption actually correlates with poorer sleep, which in turn affects memory. These findings suggest that consumers, clinicians, and policymakers should carefully consider the therapeutic use of cannabis, particularly its application as a remedy for sleep issues.