health lab
A PERSPECTIVE ON MARIJUANA FOR THE LGBTQ POPULATIONS
AND OTHERS by brian couey, psyd, director of outpatient services, hazelden betty ford foundation san diego
State and local marijuana laws have been liberalizing throughout California, including in San Diego. To learn what we can expect to see here, it is useful to take a look at the experience of states like Colorado, who were early implementers of legalized recreational marijuana use. Colorado’s legalization has led to increased use among
adults and emerging adults and especially LGBTQ populations. In fact, marijuana use among LGBTQ community members in Colorado, is nearly three times that of non-LGBTQ populations. The emergence of retail sales in Colorado, also coincided with a significant uptick in the number of poison control center calls related
to marijuana use. Aside from increased availability, heightened potency and newer delivery methods, may also be playing a role in the negative effects that have been observed in
the state. One significant area of concern is the amount of
“THC” we are now seeing in marijuana. THC is the cannabinoid, or psychoactive ingredient, in marijuana that is responsible for the “high” that comes from the drug. The amount of THC in marijuana, including that which is com- mercially produced, has increased by as much as three-fold over the past 30 years, possibly driven by market demands. This contrasts with levels of other, more therapeutic, cannabinoids in marijuana, such as “CBD,” which remain the same or are decreasing. Where THC content was once around 10 percent, it is not uncommon to find marijuana with a 30 percent or higher content today, which can lead to toxic reactions. Consumers are learning that today’s marijuana, differs markedly from the marijuana of a generation ago. At the same time, many are discovering they are unprepared for the associated harms, which can include addiction, motor vehicle accidents, development of psychosis, lower academic performance and exacerbation of psychological issues. Even occasional users, may now find themselves in the ER unexpectedly.
AUGUST 2017 | RAGE monthly
45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
