The mental health crisis in Colorado is not a concern anymore; it is a crisis.
Coloradans’ perception of marijuana as “Just a Plant” that could improve one’s mental health is now a factor in the deteriorating and even destruction of one’s mental health.
When Coloradans voted on medical marijuana in 2000, the content of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the plant was about 5%, and concentrates were not available. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that induces a utopian feeling. Colorado has genetically modified marijuana plants to produce an average content of about 20% THC and has chemically created concentrates that average about 69% THC, some up above 90% THC. These more potent products make that utopian feeling more enticing.
The more potent a drug is, the more addictive drug is. Addictive drugs used regularly often develop tolerance, where the amount that used to work to achieve that emotional change or utopia feeling no longer works. The person consumes more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports 30% of marijuana users are becoming addicted to THC, or what is called cannabis use disorder. And it’s no walk in the park to detox from THC, especially in high concentrations. Users can experience withdrawal symptoms, like mood swings, anxiety, disturbed sleep, and…
