Gone are the days when one used to get high with a spliff, people, these days, are experiencing unexpected highs even by consuming newly launched marijuana products and edibles, says a recent study conducted by the RTI International in Colorado. These products started flooding the market soon after recreational marijuana became legal.
In Colorado, adult recreational marijuana has been legal since 2014, but people are yet to understand and learn about the harms and benefits of legalizing the drug. One really wonders if legalization would have any impact on marijuana-related arrests or reduce opioid abuse among people. Some even think that it might increase the rate of use among the youth and result in impaired driving.
Legalization would pave way for marijuana products
The study, published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence in May 2017, apprehended that legalization would result in several marijuana products foraying into the mainstream market. People would have easy access to marijuana products and edibles, which, in turn, may increase the odds of experiencing an unexpected high.
Study author and research public health analyst at RTI Jane Allen said that there is a risk involved in people using these marijuana-laced products available in the market. “Marijuana users who reported using new marijuana products or edibles were at greater risk of experiencing an unexpected high, regardless of their age, gender, education, mental health status, or amount of marijuana consumed in the past month,” she said.
Using marijuana-laced products fraught with dangers
People using the new stuff exercised caution, as found by the research, but it does not negate the harmful fallouts completely. It is true that people engaged in protective behavior after consuming these products like refraining from driving, changing or canceling prior plans, but there were other concerns as well, the study said. Some of them told the researchers that because of unexpected high they ended up having unintended sex, and at times landed up in a hospital, clinic or emergency room.
The researchers surveyed 634 Colorado adults in the first year when recreational marijuana was legal for adults. They found that over 70 percent respondents used new marijuana products and almost half of them reportedly used edibles.
Ways to curb negative impacts
The states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use are mulling over ways to prevent any negative impact of marijuana products, said Allen. “One way we can help them do that is to study consumer perceptions of marijuana, including product packaging, required warning labels, and consumption advice so states can refine how they communicate marijuana information to the public.”
All said and done, marijuana is highly addictive and is one of the most highly used illegal drug in the United States. It can cause dependence in people who use them regularly and for a prolonged period. Marijuana addiction can lead to other complications like schizophrenia and other mental problems.
Dealing with addiction
Addiction is a disease, which can be controlled and treated with timely intervention. Rather than upbraiding a person addicted to any substance, one should help him or her seek treatment. One should not delay the treatment or things can get out of hand. Sovereign Health is a leading substance abuse treatment provider and behavioral health treatment services caregiver in the U.S. Whether you are looking for drug treatment centers in Pompano Beach or at a place closer home, help is just a call away. Call our 24/7 helpline or chat online for further information. Our mental health facilities in Pompano Beach rank among the best in the country. Connect today and know more about drug rehabs in Pompano Beach.
credit:sovhealth.com
