Concentrated cannabis (marijuana) has become increasingly available but little is known about the characteristics and profile of concentrate users. This article from the Journal of Addictive Behavior Reports set out to compare concentrate users to non-concentrate users in states with legal marijuana.
It was performed by conducting an anonymous online survey in California, Colorado, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. Comparisons were made between individuals who used concentrates frequently (4 days / week) with marijuana users who never use concentrates, and with those who smoke or vaporize cannabis flower but rarely or never use concentrates.
The researchers were seeking to understand measures regarding cannabis use patterns, cannabinoid product strength, other substance use, and occupational functioning and health.
The findings indicate that users of concentrate had more symptoms of cannabis use disorder than those who used the natural flower form. Concentrate users reported using higher THC cannabis products in both concentrates (at up to 80% THC) and in dried flower form (at up to 30% THC).
The authors concluded in the abstract that frequent use of concentrated marijuana products might be associated with additional risks over and above any found to be associated with flower forms of cannabis.
As with every medicine, medical marijuana users should remember that more does not necessarily mean better. It is possible to get too much of a good thing.
