International School Parent Magazine - Spring 2024

for medical purposes, signifying a new era
in cannabis cultivation. By the decade’s
close, the average THC content
in cannabis plants had risen to
approximately 5%.
The trend of increasing
potency continued into
the 2000s and 2010s,
with THC levels
nearly doubling from
5% to 10% between
2000 and 2010.
This surge can
be attributed to a
deeper scientific
understanding
of the plant and
advancements
in cultivation
techniques, marking
a new chapter in the
history of cannabis.
But 2014, was the year
that changed the cannabis
plant and the global supply chain
of the drug forever. Over a decade
later in 2024, one thing is for certain —
cannabis available is not your grandpa’s
Woodstock weed.
The Green Rush
In 2014, Colorado made history by
becoming the first state in the United
States to legalise cannabis use for adults
over the age of 21. This landmark decision
altered public perception of the safety of
cannabis use and initiated a significant
transformation in the cannabis industry,
particularly concerning THC potency.
Heralded as “The Green Rush,” the
period after 2014 was characterised by
intense competition within the cannabis
market. Legalisation in Colorado effectively
sanctioned a burgeoning billion-dollar
industry, and the main metric of cannabis
quality, and in turn price, became its
potency, primarily measured by the THC
content. The message was clear: the higher
THC level, the higher the quality of the
cannabis, and the greater its potential
market price.
Investment surged into the cannabis
industry, channelling funds into advanced
horticultural techniques and the innovation
of new products such as edibles, THC oil,
and THC wax. This influx of capital also
financed marketing campaigns with budgets
rivalling those of major alcohol and tobacco
corporations.
In 2014, Colorado’s cannabis industry
generated $680 million in revenue. By
2022, this figure had escalated to $1.1
billion annually from sales within the state
of Colorado alone. Furthermore, from the
time cannabis was legalised in Colorado
in 2014 up until September 2023, the total
revenue reached an astounding $15 billion.
So what product are available to young
people today, and how risky is cannabis
actually?
Modern-Day Cannabis
The cannabis industry has diversified
its offerings, introducing a range of new
cannabis products available due to newer
horticultural and laboratory techniques.
The most recognisable form of cannabis,
the cannabis flower, is characterised by its
symbolic leaf. It is primarily cultivated for
its flowers—green, often sticky, and fragrant
“The notion that the cannabis flower remains a purely
natural product is misleading today. ”
buds rich in cannabinoids like THC and
CBD. This form of cannabis, perceived
as “all-natural,” is what many readily
identify.
However, the notion that
the cannabis flower remains
a purely natural product
is misleading today.
Advances in genetic
modification have
significantly boosted
THC potency,
from about 1% in
the ‘60s and ‘70s
to levels that can
reach up to 38% in
today’s most potent
strains.
Edible products
are increasingly
popular, and this
method of consumption
has increased since the
widespread legalisation of
cannabis. Ranging from gummies
and chocolates to mints, edibles
offer a variety of choices. It’s essential to
distinguish between the effects of ingesting
THC through edibles and inhaling it, as
the body processes these forms differently,
presenting unique risks that warrant further
discussion. When inhaled the psychoactive
effects can occur within 1-3 minutes, when
eaten, cannabis can take anywhere from 30-
90 minutes for individuals to feel the effects.
Edibles have not only captivated a
younger demographic with cleverly named
products that look like popular candy
brands like “Stoney Patch Kids” but also
appeal to those seeking a more discreet and
convenient consumption method.
Vaping THC oil is also becoming a
preferred method of cannabis consumption
by teenagers. THC oil, a concentrated
extract from the cannabis flower, is
available in cartridges called “carts” by
young people or available in disposable
pre-filled vaporizers or “vapes.” Its potency
far exceeds that of traditional smoking
methods, contributing to the rising
preference for vaping THC among young
adults, a trend with significant implications
for their health and well-being. THC
potency can range from anywhere between
20-90% THC.
Cannabis concentrates, the most recent
form of the substance, have become more
accessible post-legalisation. These products,
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SPRING 2024 | 64