Documented use of cannabis goes back over 5000 years and today cannabis is regularly used globally by approximately 300 million people. As an intoxicant, THC does present the potential for abuse and harm. Just as with alcohol or any intoxicant, each person’s particular brain chemistry, genetics, and life experience will determine how you experience cannabis. Differentiating the facts from the fiction enables an informed decision as to whether intoxicating cannabis is right for you.

The demonisation of THC through the propaganda movie Reefer Madness and ‘yellow journalism’ of the early 20th century, undoubtedly still impacts viewpoints today. Cannabis was presented as a malevolent force, capable of tearing the fabric of society through the moral and psychological corruption of those who indulged.

As legal medical and adult use markets emerge across the globe, the concerns stemming from the illicit history of cannabis continues to cast fears about the impact legal cannabis will have on society.

Now we understand the properties of THC much more clearly, and with over 140 clinical trials, the legacy of early 20th century propaganda has become less potent. The sweeping global uptake of medical marijuana programmes in addition to the success of adult use recreational markets in the U.S. and Canada, particularly in respect of reducing violent crime, is proving that cannabis, rather than breaking down society, is actually improving it.

Looking at the medical applications as well as the potential side effects allows us to objectively reassess our understanding of THC and presents cannabis in a more terrestrial perspective.

Medical applications of THC

Pharmaceutical preparations are licensed for the treatment of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and neurological degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers. THC has analgesic properties that are 20 times that of Ibuprofen, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. It is prescribed for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatment and research shows significant improvement with weight gain due to THC's effect on increasing appetite and mood.

The U.S. is leading the discovery of therapeutic applications for cannabis. Pioneering doctors such as Bonni Goldstein MD have helped thousands of patients suffering from chronic, difficult to treat conditions, improve their quality of life. In her book "Cannabis is Medicine" she comprehensively outlines the full range of medical symptoms where either THC, CBD or a combination of both are providing relief:

Anxiety, appetite stimulation, arthritis, asthma, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, autoimmune conditions, cancer, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, gut disorders, glaucoma, infectious diseases, liver disease, Hep C, migraine, MS, neuropathy and neurodegenerative disorders, pain, PTSD, schizophrenia, skin disorders, sleep, Tourette syndrome, brain injury.

Cannabis is not a panacea for all human illness but its potential to bring an increased quality of life, particularly where pharmaceutical drugs are ineffective and causing more harm than good, is without question.

THC side effects

Known side effects of THC include paranoia, disorientation, fake pains, and hallucinations. These symptoms tend to subside as the chemical wears off. Excessive use of THC has been loosely linked to psychosis and schizophrenia. The current thinking is that, on its own, THC can potentially exacerbate, rather than cause, a pre-existing condition, although this is still unproven. Conversely, using CBD-dominant or CBD/THC balanced cannabis products will potentially mitigate this risk. Additionally, if cannabis users find themselves a little too high, using a CBD oil can help to smooth out those unwanted side effects.

Studies on sufferers of PTSD provides a good indicator of the difference in reactions between ingesting cannabis with THC + CBD vs just THC. For some PTSD sufferers, using a strain with a 1-1 ratio of THC + CBD can result in a total reduction of symptoms. The same patient ingesting cannabis with 27% THC and zero CBD can cause a full blown psychotic episode. The difference could be life giving or life destroying.

Age matters

The younger you are, the more at risk you are. Adult use markets for cannabis are quite rightly intended for adults over 21 years. It is recommended that young people refrain from using cannabis to avoid the impact THC has on the developing brain. It is generally believed that the potential side effects of cannabis are stronger on younger minds, including a greater likelihood towards dependency in later life or a cannabis use disorder: a diagnosis given for problematic marijuana consumption.

Cannabis potency today

High grade cannabis from around the time of Woodstock possibly yielded up to 15% THC and would have had a natural ratio of minor cannabinoids. Some cannabis cultivars today are achieving 30%+ THC often as a result of adding chemicals and hormones which can be harmful if ingested.

As THC levels increase other, non-intoxicating, cannabinoids such as CBD have been bred out resulting in an unbridled THC experience and increased risk of side effects.

Evaluating Cannabis for Quality

THC levels are not good indicators for quality and neither are strain names. The level of THC alone doesn't determine that the plant is clean and healthy. A cannabis strain from one brand may have different qualities to the same strain from a different brand. The strain name also does not indicate the quality of the flower.

To best assess cannabis quality read the COA to ensure no contamination is present. Look at the combined amount of cannabinoids present, not just THC but also CBD and other minor cannabinoids. Also see what terpenes are present as these will influence the experience - limonene will energize whilst humulene will sedate.

Look at the vibrancy of the flower, check for tan colouration on sugar leaves or from the stem. If you can zoom in, check the amount and the health of the trichomes. Smell the flower and observe where in your nose it hits - lower = sedative - higher = energizing.

Finally, if you don't like the taste, trust your instincts.

The arguments in favor of cannabis legalization

Prohibition created the underground market. Cannabis growing, on scale, is being controlled by violent, domestic gangs. The breeding of cannabis has solely been focussed on maximum THC levels at the expense of other natural cannabinoids such as CBD. The effects of unregulated, high THC cannabis on mental health is a major social concern.

In addition to the unbalanced plant cannabinoid profiles, growth hormones, synthetic fertilizers and chemicals are used to produce higher yields. This toxic mix ends up in the flower and then in the user.

Ending cannabis prohibition results in:

The ability to properly utilize the plant for medical applications
Removing cannabis from the gang culture - not entirely but significantly - which reduces crime, in particular incidents of violence
Proper regulation and controls on potency and purity and renders dangerous, chemically adulterated, plants to the underground market
Adults being able to self determine whether they want to use an intoxicant that has a far higher safety record than alcohol and without the associated public and domestic violence
Responsible adult use, that does not affect personal development, achievement, or infringes the rights of others - enabling law enforcement to target problematic aspects rather than personal use
Removal of the stigma and subsequent hindrance of opportunities for non-violent cannabis offenders - if we accept their records being expunged
Huge taxable revenues. No state in the US that has gone either medical or adult use has returned to prohibition as they recognise the social benefits as well as the economic
Ending decades of racially biased criminalisation

There are concerns with considering the legalization of an intoxicant. However, we know that cannabis prohibition neither stops the use nor protects the user. Offering an alternative to responsible adults, may be the most intelligent way to move forward.