Colorado Launches Campaign on High-Potency THC Risks
The Colorado School of Public Health, in collaboration with Initium Health, has launched "The Tea on THC," a public education campaign focused on raising awareness about the risks of high-concentration THC products.
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The campaign targets youth, young adults, parents, mentors, and pregnant women, aiming to address potential mental and physical health risks.
Key Elements of the Campaign
Educational Focus:
Emphasizes the dangers of high-potency THC, particularly for developing brains.
Advocates early discussions with children about cannabis risks, starting as young as 10 years old.
Personal Stories:
Former NFL player Brandon Lloyd shared his struggles with cannabis dependency and its impact on his mood, cognition, and social interactions.
Laura Stack, founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors, recounted the loss of her son, Johnny, to cannabis-induced psychosis and suicide, urging parents to recognize the risks of high-THC products.
Legislative Backing:
Stemming from HB 21-1317, the campaign is part of an initiative to study high-potency THC's effects and promote public education.
The Problem: High-Potency THC
Cannabis products today often contain THC levels much higher than those available in the past, raising concerns among researchers and health advocates.
Experts like Greg Tung, Associate Professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, highlighted the dominance of high-THC products in the market and their association with increased risks of dependency, psychosis, and other mental health challenges.
Impact of High-THC Products
Laura Stack detailed how her son experienced paranoia and delusions tied to high-THC cannabis use, leading to cannabis-induced psychosis.
Research suggests even minimal exposure to THC can alter brain development in youth, underscoring the importance of parental awareness and proactive conversations.
Industry Response
The Marijuana Industry Group (MIG), Colorado's cannabis trade organization, expressed support for efforts to educate youth and pregnant women about cannabis risks. However, they called for a broader focus:
Emphasis on Responsible Storage: Advocating for campaigns to encourage locking up cannabis products at home to prevent accidental youth exposure.
Positive Trends in Youth Usage:
Youth cannabis use in Colorado is at its lowest level ever, with a 36% decline in dabbing among users in the past 30 days.
Next Steps
Researchers hope Colorado will lead by example in educating the public about cannabis risks, potentially influencing national awareness and policy.
Calls for market-driven development of lower-THC products aim to balance consumer demand with safety considerations.
The campaign reflects growing concern over the evolving cannabis industry and its potential impact, particularly on vulnerable populations.
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