Get a Clue - Weed

Details: Published: 27 May 2025; Hits: 323

hoodsmoke Marijuana is often portrayed as harmless, with countless individuals and media outlets emphasising its perceived benefits. However, the PBS documentary: Experts are sounding the alarm about the dark side of cannabis sheds light on an alarming concern overshadowed by the growing cannabis industry. This investigative feature explores the devastating impact of high-potency marijuana on mental health, particularly in young adults, and its link to cannabis-induced psychosis.

Through real-life stories and expert research, the documentary reveals how today’s marijuana—with THC concentrations reaching up to 100% in some products—is a far cry from the mild, recreational substance of decades past. Join us as we uncover the dangers of high-potency marijuana and the tragic consequences experienced by those featured in HIGH RISK.

Johnny Stack’s Story A Tragedy of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis: The documentary opens with the heartbreaking story of Johnny Stack, a once-aspiring, academically gifted teenager who spiralled into despair after falling victim to cannabis-induced psychosis. Johnny, who achieved a perfect SAT maths score, began using marijuana at the age of 14 during a high school party. Over time, he progressed from occasional use to consuming extremely potent THC products.

At the age of 18, Johnny obtained a medical marijuana card under dubious circumstances, as he had no chronic conditions or disorders. This escalation marked the beginning of a sharp decline in his mental health. “It was like an alien came and took my child,” recalled Laura Stack, Johnny’s mother. She described the harrowing transformation in her son’s personality, moving from kind-hearted to toxic and aggressive.

Despite multiple hospitalisations for cannabis-induced psychosis, Johnny repeatedly relapsed, convinced that his brain had healed. Tragically, his final psychotic episode involved extreme paranoia about the Russian mob and FBI surveillance, leading him to take his own life by jumping from a six-storey car park. He left his mother with these haunting final words, “Marijuana has ruined my mind and my life, and I’m sorry, Mama, I love you.”

Grace Davis Offers a Peer Perspective: Grace Davis, Johnny’s university friend, provides another perspective on the prevalence of marijuana use among young adults. She speaks candidly about the normalisation of cannabis use on college campuses, the ease of access through social media, and her personal struggles with addiction.

Grace shared how Johnny’s high tolerance for potent cannabis products contributed to his psychosis. She witnessed his paranoia firsthand, including beliefs that the “Russian mob was coming to get him” and that “the FBI was tracking his phone.” Despite her warnings to Johnny, she herself fell into daily use, leading to lasting paranoia even after two years of sobriety. “I know it wouldn’t have been this bad without marijuana,” Grace admits.

Bryn Spejcher’s Harrowing Experience: The documentary also focuses on Bryn, a Californian audiologist whose life took a tragic turn after experiencing cannabis-induced psychosis. After taking just two hits from a high-potency bong, Bryn fell into a psychotic episode marked by intense hallucinations and violent behaviour. This resulted in the tragic death of her friend Chad, whom she stabbed 108 times. Bryn’s case challenges the misconception that cannabis-induced psychosis only affects regular or heavy users.

Marijuana’s Escalating Potency

One of the most shocking revelations in the documentary is the dramatic rise in the potency of marijuana in recent decades. THC levels have surged from less than 3% in the 1980s to nearly 100% in modern concentrates like dabs, waxes, and shatter. Experts explain how these ultra-potent products are linked to severe mental health consequences, particularly in adolescents and young adults.

Dr. Sam Wang, a paediatric emergency doctor, emphasises the extraordinary risks for developing brains. The prefrontal cortex, which governs critical decision-making and emotional regulation, is highly susceptible to damage from THC. Dr. Wang warns, “Nearly 50% of individuals with cannabis-induced psychosis may go on to develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.”

Colorado Lessons in Legal Marijuana

The documentary uses Colorado, the first state to legalise recreational marijuana, as a case study. While the move was initially celebrated for generating significant tax revenue, unforeseen public health challenges quickly emerged. For example, cannabis-related emergency room visits became daily occurrences, with cases of “cannabis hyperemesis syndrome” (extreme nausea and abdominal pain) becoming alarmingly common.

Efforts to address these issues culminated in Colorado House Bill 1317, which introduced mandatory warning labels about mental health risks, restricted medical marijuana cards for young people aged 18–20, and allocated funding for public health research. Although initial proposals to cap THC levels faced resistance from the marijuana industry, these regulatory measures marked a significant step forward.

The Shadow of Synthetic Cannabinoids

Adding to the complexity, synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-9 present another layer of danger. These substances often bypass state-level restrictions, leading to more widespread accessibility and severe mental health outcomes. Lawmakers and healthcare providers express frustration over the regulatory challenges, with Wyoming officials describing the mental health crisis and soaring suicide rates linked to Delta-8 products.

Advocacy and Education Efforts

Following Johnny’s tragic death, his mother Laura founded Johnny’s Ambassadors, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of high-potency marijuana. She now speaks at schools, warning that cannabis is a contributing factor in adolescent suicides. Laura implores parents, “Education and regulation are essential to prevent further tragedies like Johnny’s.”

The documentary closes with Grace’s heartfelt letter to Johnny, encapsulating the devastating personal loss caused by cannabis-induced psychosis. She writes, “Your love could swell my mind whole… but then you died, and so did I.”

Shedding Light on High Potency Marijuana Dangers

HIGH RISK highlights an undeniable truth that challenges the narrative of marijuana as a harmless drug. The rise of high-potency THC products demands greater public awareness and stricter regulations. By documenting real-life tragedies, backed by scientific research, the documentary underscores the severe mental health risks posed to young adults.

Johnny Stack’s story, Grace’s testimony, and Bryn’s loss serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of ignoring these warnings.

(Source WRD News PBS)

Details: Published: 24 May 2025; Hits: 173

(Opioid Crisis 2.0 in the making?)

budinhand The cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment market is on the brink of rapid expansion, reflecting a global trend towards recognising the health implications linked with cannabis dependency. Accelerated by increasing cannabis consumption, legislative movements, and a heightened awareness of usage-related risks, the market is forecast to grow from a valuation of USD 1.7 billion in 2025 to USD 2.7 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 4.7% during the period.

This surge underscores the growing need for effective treatment interventions in response to rising dependency cases. Below, we’ll explore the driving forces behind this expansion and examine how different regions and innovations are shaping the market’s trajectory.

Impact of Rising Cannabis Use Cases: The increasing legalisation of cannabis across various markets, such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, has brought a profound shift in consumption rates. While cannabis is often lauded for its recreational and medicinal benefits, the uptick in usage has contributed to a parallel rise in dependency cases and cannabis-related health concerns, including cognitive impairment and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.

Healthcare systems globally are ramping up investments in interventions to address these concerns. Scientific research highlights that long-term cannabis use can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms, which have sparked efforts to develop both behavioural and pharmacological treatments.

(For complete Article WRD News)

Details: Published: 22 May 2025; Hits: 204

(We must avoid this here – Do not legalise cannabis)

The dangers of legalised marijuana are drawing increasing attention in the United States. While marijuana use has grown markedly in recent years, experts warn of its significant impact on mental health, particularly among young adults. With its rapidly rising THC potency to levels as high as 99%, marijuana poses risks that are only now being fully understood.

The association between cannabis use, mental health challenges, and suicidality in young adults reveals complex patterns, with risks varying significantly between men and women, as evidenced by nationwide survey data.

How Legalised Marijuana Affects Mental Health

Studies reveal a worrying link between marijuana and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The number of adults using cannabis more than doubled between 2008 and 2019, climbing from 22.6 million to 45.0 million. Simultaneously, the prevalence of mental health issues, such as major depressive episodes (MDE) and suicidal thoughts, also rose sharply.

These overlapping trends are more than coincidental. Research shows that cannabis use disorder (CUD), daily cannabis use, and even occasional use are linked to higher risks of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts.

For complete research

Details: Published: 20 May 2025; Hits: 184

450 Driving safely on American roads means remaining alert, focused, and fully in control. Yet, recent data shows a clear rise in cannabis use among drivers, putting Cannabis and Driving Safety in the national spotlight. Understanding why this is happening is essential for anyone interested in keeping our communities safe.

The Rise of Drugged Driving in America

Cannabis is now the third most common substance people use in the United States, just behind nicotine and alcohol. Its growing popularity is not surprising; after all, 38 American states have legalised some form of cannabis consumption. Out of these, 24 states allow recreational use, and 14 permit cannabis for medical use only.

With laws shifting and social attitudes becoming more relaxed, using cannabis and then driving is becoming increasingly common. This trend in Drugged Driving in America raises vital questions about public safety on our roads.

How Common Is Cannabis-Impaired Driving?

Recent studies by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have brought new insights into Cannabis and Driving Safety. Researchers wanted to explore how often people drive after using cannabis and what they believe about the risks involved.

Key findings include:

Frequent consumption: 44.1% of survey participants said they use cannabis several times daily.
Driving is routine: 57.8% reported driving every day.
Driving soon after consuming: 84.8% admitted to driving on the same day as cannabis use, with 53% getting behind the wheel an hour or less after consuming.
Perceived safety: 46.9% believed cannabis does not really affect their driving; 14.7% thought it made them drive a little better, and 19.4% even felt it improved their driving significantly.

These numbers highlight a concerning mismatch between perception and the reality of cannabis-affected driving skills. (for more WRD News)

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Details: Published: 14 May 2025; Hits: 251

driver Cannabis impaired driving is emerging as a critical concern in the UK and beyond, especially as a new marijuana driving study reveals more than half of cannabis users get behind the wheel just hours after consumption. New data from AAA and the University of Illinois Chicago shed light on risky driving behaviours and growing misperceptions around marijuana’s effects on road safety. These findings point to a need for better education, enforcement, and responsible cannabis use among the driving public.

Understanding the Landscape of Cannabis-Impaired Driving: A recent marijuana driving study conducted by AAA explored the habits and perceptions of cannabis users who drive. The survey uncovered that almost 85% of regular cannabis users report driving on the same day they consume marijuana. Astonishingly, over half admitted to driving within just an hour of consumption. This statistic sharply contradicts public health messaging and highlights a pressing gap between knowledge of safe driving and real-world actions.

Perceptions vs Reality: The AAA study found a significant disconnect in public understanding. Around 30% of drivers in Virginia believe that cannabis users are usually safer drivers. Such beliefs run counter to scientific consensus and expert warnings, as highlighted by Ryan Adcock from AAA:

“The effects cannabis can have on a driver include fatigue, sleepiness, brain fog, and changes in visual and auditory perceptions. Those effects can have deadly impacts if they get behind the wheel of a car.”

These drug-induced impairments threaten not only the driver but everyone on the road.

Not Just Perceptions – Cannabis-Impaired Driving Data and Dangers: The dangers of cannabis-impaired driving are not hypothetical. Research led by the University of Illinois Chicago revealed a 10% rise in motor vehicle deaths across several states that legalised recreational marijuana, including California, Alaska, Oregon, and Colorado. This data signals a worrying trend likely to be repeated wherever cannabis use becomes more common and public attitudes towards driving under its influence remain relaxed.

Ground Realities from the UK and Overseas: While much of the available research comes from the US, the UK faces similar risks. Drug driving arrests involving cannabis have risen sharply in recent years. The UK’s Department for Transport warns that cannabis impairs motor skills, reaction times, and risk awareness, directly leading to increased crash rates.

Why Do People Still Drive After Using Marijuana?

The marijuana driving study exposes several reasons users take such risks:

Misconceptions about safety: Many believe small amounts or particular cannabis strains have little to no impact on driving capability.
Lack of clear guidelines: Alcohol impairment is widely tested and regulated with known limits; cannabis intoxication lacks universally accepted roadside testing or legal thresholds.
Normalised use: With recreational marijuana becoming socially acceptable in some places, driving soon after use is perceived as less deviant compared to drink-driving.

Cannabis-Impaired Driving in Focus: What Are the Real-World Risks?

Short-term Effects on Drivers

Cannabis use before or during driving can cause:

Reduced reaction time and motor coordination
Difficulty focusing or staying awake
Altered depth perception and visual processing
Heightened risk of falling asleep at the wheel

These effects deeply compromise driving ability, making crashes, injuries, and fatalities far more likely.

Who’s Most at Risk?: Statistics indicate young drivers and regular users are at greatest risk. Repeated use may give a false sense of confidence rather than actual tolerance to impairment. With more permissive attitudes and easy access to cannabis products, the potential for accidents grows.

The Role of Education and Policy: The experts at AAA agree that combatting cannabis impaired driving demands a multifaceted approach:

Public educationfor all road users on the real dangers of cannabis use and driving.
Effective policythat recognises and regulates cannabis-impaired driving as robustly as drink-driving.
Law enforcement trainingto better detect and respond to drivers impaired by substances other than alcohol.
Community partnershipswith the cannabis industry, policymakers, and health professionals to advance responsible use campaigns.

Adcock from AAA sums it up: “Combatting impaired driving must be multifaceted – employing policy, enforcement, environmental strategies, and health information, all to improve public safety.”

The findings of the latest marijuana driving study highlight an urgent public safety challenge as cannabis use becomes increasingly mainstream. Over half of users questioned admit to cannabis impaired driving, putting themselves and others at risk of serious harm. Lawmakers, cannabis producers, road safety experts, and the public must work together to close the gap between perception and reality.

Source: (WRD News)