CASA Report Warns of Marijuana Potency, Dependence

CASA Report Warns of Marijuana Potency, Dependence
June 18, 2008

News Summary

A new report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) echoes recent federal reports claiming that marijuana has become more potent over the past decade and a half, adding that treatment admissions for marijuana problems increased dramatically during the same time frame.

The report, dubbed "Non-Medical Marijuana III: Rite of Passage or Russian Roulette?," cites a 175-percent increase in the THC content of marijuana between 1992 and 2006, alongside a 492-percent rise in teen treatment admissions involving marijuana abuse or dependence and a 188-percent increase in treatment admissions where marijuana was named as the primary drug of abuse.

"The message for teens is clear -- today's pernicious pot is not your parent's pot," said CASA chairman and CEO Joseph A. Califano, Jr. "This increased potency parallels the increases we see in teen medical diagnoses, treatment admissions and emergencies."

However, the Drug Policy Alliance said the CASA report "relies on hysterical headlines and ignores the real story behind the numbers."

"Anyone who smoked marijuana in the 1970s and 1980s can well recall getting high from a single puff or two," said DPA executive director Ethan Nadelmann. "That's because the marijuana back then was fundamentally the same as the marijuana people are consuming today." Nadelmann added that, "to the extent the claims have merit, it's worth noting that higher potency can have positive consequences insofar as people smoke less to attain the desired effect, thereby reducing the respiratory and other health risks associated with smoking marijuana."

Nadelmann also challenged CASA's linkage of increased marijuana potency and treatment admissions, saying that the report's trends data "ignore the extent to which most of those users were coerced into 'treatment' because they had been caught with a joint, or failed a drug test, not because they were addicted to marijuana.

"Fewer than one in five people enter drug treatment for marijuana voluntarily, and half were referred by the criminal justice system," he said. "Attending a marijuana 'treatment' program is what's required to avoid expulsion, dismissal or incarceration."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by John French on 19 Jun 08 09:03 AM EDT

Forty years in the drug treatment and research industry have taught me to look on reports of horrific increases in potency and purity of one drug or another. There is always the "drug of the year" and often month. And then the latest media drug craze fades away, only to be replaced by yet another. CASA does a good propaganda job, finding and exploiting these tsunami waves of fear. For that, if nothing else, they are to be congratulated.

Posted by Jon G on 19 Jun 08 09:13 AM EDT

Stronger marijuana is safe marijuana. You smoke less marijuana when it is good quality. Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine for a wide range of ailments. I was nearly killed in a car accident and marijuana helps me live.

Posted by Jeffrey N. Kushner on 19 Jun 08 10:46 AM EDT

CASA does a service to the country in pointing out that marijuana is a very potent drug and continues to cause more and more problems. Join Together does a disservice to the report by focusing on Nadleman's response rather than the report, as expected as playing down the risks and problems related to marijuana seems to be a goal of Join Together. Anyone who works in the criminal justice system knows that marijuana is the last drug that most criminal justice clients can give up and causes them considerable problems.

Posted by Eric Wood on 19 Jun 08 11:24 AM EDT

Who's side is Join Together on? I appreciate fair reporting, but this represents a trend of late whereby pro-drug crackpots like Drug Policy Alliance grab free press from an unlikely source. I'm sure they are thrilled.

Posted by Robert Curley, News Editor, Join Together on 19 Jun 08 01:00 PM EDT

Our commitment is to report the news in a balanced fashion, not to favor one viewpoint over another. To break down this story as an example, the first three paragraphs of the summary are devoted to the CASA report and CASA's viewpoint, while the last four paragraphs focus on the rebuttal from Drug Policy Alliance. I am comfortable that this balance meets the sniff test for objectivity.

Posted by Annoyed on 19 Jun 08 01:03 PM EDT

Join Together used to report on the research. Now it seems you barely mention the research then give the remainder of your space to pro drug groups to counter the research. What's going on?

Posted by Susan E. Foster, CASA VP & Dir. of Pol. Res. on 19 Jun 08 01:31 PM EDT

Ethan Nadelmann's statement that our report ignores data on criminal justice referrals is incorrect. Increases in criminal justice referrals for teens where marijuana is the primary drug of abuse can only account for about 1/5th of the increase in admissions. If referrals from the criminal justice system were not related to medical problems of marijuana abuse and dependence, we would expect to see no or limited increases in the reported percentage of teen admissions that meet medical criteria for maijuana abuse and dependence; however, over this same period there was a 492% increase in such reported diagnoses. We share Nadelmann's concern for criminal justice policies that too often focus on punishment rather than treatment. However, these data suggest that increases in treatment admissions and clinical diagnoses of teen marijuana abuse and dependence are not simply artifacts of criminal justice policies; rather, there are serious and growing problems of teen marijuana abuse and dependence that require attention, including an increased focus on prevention and treatment.

Posted by Frustrated on 19 Jun 08 01:47 PM EDT

for the past several years I have questioned Join Togethers reporting on marijuana issues. It seems very clear that someone in a position of control has a bias towards legalization. DPA and other pro-drug groups have been getting more positive press from Join Together in the last 2 years then ever before or anywhere else. Ironically the word I had to enter to post a comment the other day was "stoner".

Posted by Jose C on 19 Jun 08 04:58 PM EDT

I am about ready to stop reading or even associating with jointogether. If you want to play devil's advocate and post both sides, fine. Please post two separate articles. The anti-Marijuana use article and then post the rebutal article after. The way you have been printing the marijuana information will lead many people to believe that you a pro-marijuana advocate. (read you past articles, they look like ducks to me!) If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck.....!

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 19 Jun 08 07:36 PM EDT

Nadelmann was the only truthful and resonable voice in this article. In 11 of the 12 states that medical marijuana laws have been passed, by a MAJORITY vote of "WE THE PEOPLE" TEEN use has DECLINED. In California alone by as much as 50% and the one without such data is New Mexico only on the books for a year ( no data yet ). It is such a farce to TRICK the common person into thinking we have a teen epidemic by BOASTING such hyped numbers.You know full well that a teen faced with a criminal record or some sort of program ( percentage boosters for your propoganda war ) will choose the program everytime. More whitewash for the fence , eh? Jon G knows full well whats , what.

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 19 Jun 08 07:55 PM EDT

I commend Join Together in their efforts to be FAIR and BALANCED. I don't have a problem with anyone not liking marijuana, or wanting their children to start smoking it , but for the REALISTIC REASONS.I didn't want my son to smoke and fought with him endlessly about the path he had choosen when he was a teen but I didn't have to LIE and DEMONIZE marijuana. I spoke the TRUTH and told him I smoke and I don't want you to because: It distracts from your studies, you will spend a good percentage of your earnings on it. I told him of alot of things my non-smoking friends were able to buy such as stereos, motorcycles, and alot of things you won't be able to afford. SO IF NOTHING ELSE: BE HONEST, OUR YOUTH ARE NOT THAT STUPID, OR NAIVE...

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 19 Jun 08 08:15 PM EDT

Show me some CONCRETE EVIDENCE ie: yearly deaths related to marijuana. I can state study after study showing deaths related to ALCOHOL,PRESCIPTION DRUGS, NON-PRESCIPTION DRUGS, and a myriad of other deaths drug and non-drug related. CAN ANYONE SHOW ME "ONE" DEATH "DIRECTLY" RELATED TO MARIJUANA?????????? Get real fight DRUG ABUSE but fight the right DRUGS, LEGAL and ILLEGAL. Take a REAL look at WHAT drugs are KILLING your children.. Now I'm sure to get the "GATEWAY" barage.

Posted by Eric Wood on 19 Jun 08 10:17 PM EDT

Here we go with the medicinal marijuana rhetoric and the 'alcohol is worse' defense. No, Donald, marijuana is not a gateway drug, it is a DRUG. Let's give it its due. Beyond the propaganda (on both sides of the fence, mind you) and the political posturing, marijuana is a psychoactive substance which has tremendous potential for a coninuum of life-damaging consequences, including dependence. Simply because it does not provide a lethal dose doesn't mean we should sell it in the coffee shop down the street. I would hope death isn't the only consequence of concern. As a therapist I can appreciate the need to address other drugs of addiction, such as alcohol and prescription drugs. But I do consider marijuana abuse and dependence a primary concern and will continue to address it as such. Mr. Curley, does Drug Policy Alliance, the Marijuana Policy Project, or NORML give a "sniff test for objectivity"?

Posted by Bemused on 20 Jun 08 04:41 AM EDT

Addiction is frequently lethal. Among addictive substances, however, cannabis is the last one we should be worried about. Focusing on weed just tends to trivialize problems with misuse of other substances. Yes, cannabis on the street has been gradually getting more potent. But where is there any evidence that increased potency confers greater risk? No such evidence exists. Parallels in historic trends don't imply anything; GDP increases have parallelled increases in cannabis use. Does this mean that smoking weed is good for the economy? Hardly. In these questions, Califano is about as sophisticated as G.W.Bush. Wine is roughly three times as potent as beer, liquor roughly three times as potent as wine. Is hard liquor nine times as dangerous as beer? Certainly not. It may be a little more dangerous, but potency means relatively little. Experienced uses smoke to a desired level of effect. Given more potent weed, they smoke less. Inexperienced users might overshoot a desired level, though. So, they'll have an evening of unpleasant paranoia, drowsiness, and munchies. The horrors !!

Posted by Bernard Butts,LISAC on 20 Jun 08 06:27 AM EDT

I've learned over the years...the goal for us in the Recovery field is to save lives. Any and all information standing on The Recovery platform of saving lives is worthy. This article is an example of one of the many tools necessary. if someone has to use any substance in order to have an effect... this could be a problem... Every man or woman using the proper tools may need to ruthlessly cross examine themselves... For there true objectives and purpose. All the information in this article can and will be helpful. A paradox is two opposites that can get you to the same place... In this case it would be saving lives.

Posted by Robert Curley, News Editor, Join Together on 20 Jun 08 07:59 AM EDT

Eric Wood wrote: "Mr. Curley, does Drug Policy Alliance, the Marijuana Policy Project, or NORML give a "sniff test for objectivity"?" If by that you mean do we also get "annoyed" or "frustrated" emails from "the other side" about our news coverage, the answer is, of course, yes. For example, this one came in yesterday's mail: "Given the intellectually dishonest nature of CASA (even allowing for the occasional disclaimer by JT) I can not see why JT continues to site CASA." So I guess you could say we are equal-opportunity offenders.

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 20 Jun 08 08:29 AM EDT

In response to Bernard: I have to ask, "WHAT?" Marijuana claims NO lives for starters, and "What are these proper tools you speak of?" I have to use many substances to reach desired effects such as I drink water to keep from dying of thirst. I put gasoline in my car because I need to get to and from work.( not to be a smarta__. )Last but not least, could you explain your paradox theory as it pertains to this whole discussion? When 1 persons personal preferences affect another persons life adversely, then I see a problem. I gave up smoking due to second hand smoke affecting my grandchildren's lives and other non-smokers I care about. I gave up drinking because it was affecting my life in a way that I didn't want to go anywhere I couldn't have a beer.I couldn't drive anywhere because I always had a beer in hand. I cross examined myself and QUIT both.I have given up smoking marijuana anytime I've needed to for various reasons over the past 30 years with little more than irritability and pshycological withdrawl for about 3 days, about the same as my wife during PMS."We're going to be debating this issue forever, are'nt we??? "

Posted by Thomas on 23 Jun 08 11:05 AM EDT

Increased potency or not, the drug takes young people away from productive activities. When you're smoking dope, you are not studying, reading, exercising, helping others in their lives. Many "students" are flunking out of college and/or underachieving due to this drug. As they said in tghe 70's: "that's why they call it dope". How many families need to read a research article to know this? Case studies, personal experience should be enough to teach people that this stuff is bad for you. To those who say, "I did it and I'm OK": what would/could you have been without it? I'm tired of the users who are trying to justify their use of marijuana by using themselves as successful examples. They are simply promoting mediocrity, or less. Don't blame the U.S. government; the drug is illegal in most parts of the world.

Posted by kenny g on 23 Jun 08 12:29 PM EDT

pot is a drug that gets alot of credit for "things" that the healthy brain is entirely capapble of on its own. As a shortcut to feeling good its like all the other addictive agents in our society.

Posted by Harmful effects or not on 23 Jun 08 08:21 PM EDT

I know keeping the marijuana market unregulated and in a criminal-controlled environment does not help our public health efforts by any means. Whether or not greater potency has long term effects, we should not be allowing kids easy access to the marijuana market, which is what we have now.

Posted by Robert Dousa, ATOD Prevention Coordinator Oakland California on 29 Jun 08 02:18 AM EDT

The issue is that young people need lots of stimulating, adventurous activities. We need to provide opportunities for them explore their capabilites under the advising eye of caring adults. Marijuana and its street sales is filling this need for adventure in many young people. Lets see if we can provide them with the challenges and support they really need so that youth have appealing choices where they can assert themselves positively in the community.

Posted by stopthehate on 22 May 09 10:11 AM EDT

Those slamming Join Together for presenting both sides selfishly want to see only their opinions. Greed is their motivation: keep the prisons full of nonviolent offenders, keep treatment facilities full with well-functioning folks avoiding unfair penalties, while disregarding the damage you do to millions of innocents. We see through your greed.

Posted by Larry D on 26 May 09 10:47 AM EDT

Join Together stans for just what it says,Lets Join Together to help make our world a better place for our children and our childrens, children.Marijuana today is a lot more addictive due to the chemical substance added to marijuana to enhance the THC already that exist in it. These methods have maid marijuana a new substance, and is covered up by "o" its just pot. Well its not, it still has a inpairement to its consumption.

Posted by Michael Kelley on 26 May 09 04:32 PM EDT

Join Together is to be commended for being even handed by also citing Ethan Nadelmann's comments on the CASA report. Only with open, balanced, coverage will we find constructive solutions to very complex issues. Michael Kelley, D.Phil. Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii Associate Professor of Psychology

Posted by Richard N on 22 Jun 09 07:38 PM EDT

I agree that the report does show statistical errors. It doesn't match data in California- where the weed is awesome. Most folks smoke less when it's really strong. However, I disagree that marijuana is a dependency drug in a classic dependency definition. It is, however a hazard for folks that are depressed- because it works so well- but only with supportive therapy.

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