Cannabis
Even though recreational and medical possession and sale of cannabis are legal in the state of Maine, cannabis is banned on UMaine’s campus and all facilities. This is all forms and delivery methods.
Cannabis use has been growing at a high rate after states legalized the recreational use of cannabis. This has led to a more varied and dynamic set of delivery methods. Every single one carries its own risks.
You’ve probably heard some facts about cannabis. Let’s talk about those facts, and what current research has been learning.
Cannabis? Don’t you mean marijuana?
The current term for the marijuana of the past is Cannabis. For more information, NPR Chicago released a piece on the terms.
We’ve had cannabis around for years!
Yesterday’s marijuana is basically a different thing altogether than the cannabis of today. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis products. In the 1980s, most cannabis products contained around 4% THC, according to a study reported by CBS. What does this mean for today? It means that you can be affected in a stronger way by much less cannabis than you anticipate. Like alcohol, be cautious of the THC content in cannabis, especially consumable products. Different methods of delivery have different severity and timelines of how they affect the user.
Cannabis isn’t addictive, so it’s safe to use!
Not so fast. Because of crossbreeding, cannabis is becoming more potent and even more addictive in the process. Studies are showing that, what starts as cannabis use disorder can quickly turn into a cannabis addiction. The signs of withdrawal mirror some of the reasons people use cannabis in the first place! A study found that cannabis use found no reliable link between cannabis use and better sleep outcomes. Withdrawing from nightly use was also found to increase insomnia.
Kids aren’t using marijuana.
Education and knowledge are even more important now because cannabis use among adolescents is on the rise.
Low doses of cannabis aren’t dangerous.
The short and sweet answer is that there is no truly safe dose of cannabis. There hasn’t been scientific research on the safety of levels of THC.
So, what do we know?
Research is ongoing and quickly evolving, but here is what we are finding through research:
- THC, and any of the new derivatives such as Delta-8 et al., is a psychoactive drug that affects how your brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
- Since THC is psychoactive, cannabis use can exacerbate mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
- Cannabis use affects the development of the brain in adolescents, specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.
- Cannabis smoke contains many of the same toxic and carcinogenic chemicals as tobacco.
- Mixing Cannabis and alcohol can be associated with increased social behavioral and mental health issues.
- 1 in 10 cannabis users will become addicted, but, for users that start before 18, the rate is 1 in 6.
Where do we go from here?
Here are a few key facts to leave with:
- All forms of cannabis are banned on UMaine’s campus.
- There is no safe dose of cannabis or THC percentage/mg.
- As with anything you consume, be very cautious about what you are consuming and the risks of doing so.
- Our parents’ marijuana is not our cannabis.
If you have any questions, we are here in the Student Wellness Resource Center to help!