Cannabis
Another Flawed Study On Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder isn’t defined medically, and doesn’t seem to cause real problems. However, despite not instigating societal harm; yet another study is out trying to warn us about the prevalence of cannabis use disorder.
What’s a use disorder?
Like any other psychiatric condition; what is termed as a ‘use disorder,’ has no medical diagnosis. A medical diagnosis is a proof by way of a definable metric or test. This automatically means having a use disorder is a diagnosis up to the discretion of a particular doctor. These definitions are meant to meet certain behavioral criteria; but the truth is that doctors disagree all the time on everything. Without medical backing; there is no confirmed consensus when talking about psychiatric diagnoses, even with DSM manuals.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the definition of a use disorder is “a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD.”
By definition, its all addiction, though; as the definition for addiction is the “compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Why do these definitions overlap? Because there is no medical diagnosis defining each specifically. What it comes down to in either case, is an inability to control use.
There’s less debate over the existence of alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. They cause extreme damage to users and society at large; and we see it. We can watch those with the addiction, unable to control their use. Everyone likely knows someone who lost a job, or a spouse; or is dealing with an illness; or who got into some kind of an accident; because of drug use they could not control. The term ‘use disorder’ is easily understood in this context, as a behavior that is not only uncontrolled, but which causes problems.
Does cannabis use disorder exist?
Sure, if you’re only concerned about a manual made by a group nearly all associated with pharmaceutical companies; with the main purpose of prescribing psychotropic medication. The DSM manuals are by nature, full of ‘disorders,’ that have no medical definition.
As in, there is no test that can confirm a person is borderline, or schizophrenic, or suffering from a drug use disorder. Like it or not, there is no medical professional that can say there’s a medical diagnosis for cannabis use disorder. And realistically, there is no defined association between cannabis and large problems; in fact, so little, that after thousands of years of documented use, such damage cannot be explicitly pointed to. Do we question if alcohol causes problems? No!
As such, cannabis use disorder (CUD) is not medically defined, and cannot be tested for. Cannabis causes no actual addiction, so its not defined as an addictive drug. Nor does it cause damage to society; and any damage to one’s life, is minimal at best. Things like losing a job or spouse, or causing sickness or accidents; aren’t associated with cannabis like they are with other drugs. How many people do you know who were so out of control with weed, that they messed up their entire life?
For that matter, how many people do you know who are willing to prostitute themselves out for it, or choose weed over eating, or allow their children to be on the street so they can keep smoking up? This happens with alcohol, and meth, and opioids. It doesn’t with weed. Which indicates there is no use disorder attached. People, in fact, do not seem to have an issue not using weed, if there life calls for it. In other words; its uniformly not associated with behaviors that indicate a fundamental loss of control.
Perhaps the confusion is because unhappy people tend to keep doing things that make them feel better. This isn’t addiction, but self-treatment. Whereas this is problematic if it causes damage; it kind of isn’t, if it doesn’t. I’ve been using weed, and around weed smokers, for half my life. Never – literally not ever – have I met someone who has so much of an issue controlling themselves, that they cannot stop from smoking up. Not. One. Time. But I know a lot of alcoholics, smokers, and opioid users who lost their jobs, or families; who have extreme health issues; been in, or caused, accidents; or who overdosed and died.
New study on cannabis use disorder
Unfortunately, a lack of general logic or evidence over time, hasn’t stopped bad research from continually coming out on the topic. Even as this continues to make no sense, with nothing substantial backing it up in real life; article after article comes out to promote the idea that cannabis use disorder is a real thing. Case in point is this recent study.
The study is called Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder and Reasons for Use Among Adults in a US State Where Recreational Cannabis Use Is Legal. The purpose was to investigate how prevalent cannabis use disorder is in a regular population, specifically in adult-use legal states. It also looked into whether there were different reasons for use between locations.
According to the writers, the results of the study on cannabis use disorder indicate that the reasons for use didn’t change between locations, but the rate of use did; going from moderate to severe in different places. Researchers conclude from their data that cannabis use disorder is prevalent in legal states, and that moderate and severe use is more common in non-medical patients, or those who use it for both recreational and medical purposes.
How did researchers come to this amazing conclusion that a lot of people smoke weed? They conducted an in-person study. The study consisted of 1,688 participants, out of an original pool of 5,000 possible participants. These 5,000 were picked randomly from a pool of 108,950 adults who underwent a screening for cannabis use, as part of a primary care visit. Investigators looked at the time period of March 2019 – September 2019. The chosen 5,000 were offered a survey for the study.
In terms of sample selection, more specifically, “Sample selection included patients who reported no past-year use as well as stratified oversampling of patients with more frequent cannabis use and patients of minoritized racial and ethnic groups (including American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander) in order to obtain representation of subgroups that are often underrepresented in research.“
The survey looked at how often the participants used cannabis in the past year. Out of the 5,000, 1,688 filled out the survey and gave consent. Of these, 1463 said they used cannabis in the past 30 days. “Respondents were asked about past-year use and more specific questions about past 30-day use, including reasons, mode, and typical frequency of cannabis use.” Investigators continued that the results “weighted to the primary care sample who used cannabis in the past 30 days (hereafter, patients who used cannabis).”
Massive issues with this study
The biggest issue with this study, is in how the sample was collected. The study’s stated aim was to see how prevalent cannabis use disorder is within legal state populations. This indicates that the study group being examined should reflect as accurately as possible, the makeup of the actual population of these locations.
Researchers did not do this though, instead they used something called stratified oversampling, for both frequent users, and minority populations. This means they included a greater percentage of participants from these populations, than exist by percent in reality. If we were only looking at why people use, this is useful for gaining information from underrepresented minorities, or focusing on those who do it more. But when looking to assess overall use rates; oversampling any part of a population, means getting skewed results.
Simply creating a sample which does not correspond to the actual population, is a huge flaw. Especially when that means including more heavy users in a way that is already known to be disproportionate, and then saying that a use disorder is prevalent. The oversampling of minorities can theoretically be worked out to correspond to actual population statistics, although this won’t account for the uneven collection of information. But if the purpose is to assess use rates and issues of control; perhaps automatically adding in more heavy users, is a fundamentally bad idea.
If you’re going to focus on a certain level of use, that’s what you’ll see. The investigators purposefully added in more frequent weed users than existed by percent in their own collected data. And they did that for an investigation literally meant to measure how often people use weed frequently. This is problematic. How can a study measure the overall prevalence of weed use (or abuse), if the sample used to measure it, is automatically skewed toward higher use?
Conclusion
The reality is that its easy to find bad study results on cannabis use disorder and an array of other topics. So much so that its coming up as an issue because of studies getting retracted. Researchers are dying to get published, and that promotes flawed research like this. Writers want stories, and that means bad titles get passed on. It’s a bad cycle. And it continues.
Let’s remember, that after years of nonsensical reporting about cannabis causing psychosis, its now coming out that this was never true. What does that say for all the research that tried to scare us about inducing schizophrenia, and what does it say for those who created it? The idea of a cannabis use disorder might get pushed now; but that doesn’t mean it won’t be invalidated as people come to their senses.
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It has become a popular gift with over 20% of the population putting it under the train. So we asked 3 wise man what to give (or consume) during the season.
The holiday season is a special time of year with a combination of Christmas, Hannakuh, and more are the modern hoildays descended from pagan holidays. Food, celebrations, gifts and a hint of something magical are all part of the holidays. With Christmas, the three wise men bring gifts to the baby Jesus being steered by a star. As we head into the last part of the season, why not think of the perfect gift to give or for yourself. We have three wise men give marijuana strain gift suggestions to share with our readers.
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Terran Cooper, one of the rising stars of the industry and a part of the firm Falcon Rappaport & Berman who works in the cannabis industry. New York based, he says while there are several great strains, he has two to share for the holiday season.
One of my favorite day time strains, Pineapple Express has skyrocketed in popularity following the 2008 film by the same name. This strain is one of the more energetic strains that I’ve come across, allowing for a nice balance between productivity and relaxation this holiday season. Its joyful and uplifting effects may pair nicely with last minute holiday tasks in addition to any festivities. Though infrequent consumers beware – its relatively high THC content means that a little can go a long way.
Andrew Laub, managing partner of Keneh Ventures and CEO of Cannabition, is a leader in the industry and shared his favorites. Golden Goat is my secret to finding joy in any moment, especially during the holiday season. Its tropical, citrusy flavor is bright and uplifting, just like its effects. I love how it gives me an energized, creative boost without feeling overwhelming, making it perfect for everything from decorating the house to hosting friends. It’s my reminder to savor the fun and chaos of the holidays.
Granddaddy Purple is like my personal escape when the holiday rush gets overwhelming. I love its rich, grape-like flavor and how it helps me unwind at the end of a busy day. Whether I’m binge-watching holiday movies or enjoying quiet time by the fireplace, this strain makes everything feel a little cozier and more magical.
Sour Diesel is my motivation when there’s too much to do and not enough time. Its energizing, citrusy aroma wakes me up, and its focus-boosting effects help me tackle long to-do lists with ease. I love using it to power through holiday prep, whether I’m wrapping gifts, planning meals, or brainstorming creative ways to make the season special.
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Online cannabis influencer Miguel a.k.a Miggy420 (@miggy420) believes consumption of cannabis is a personal experience with everyone being different. He sees the endocannabinoid system as unique as snowflakes in winter. Some smoke to wash away ills, others to wash away the ills of society. He shared his two favorites.
Vin Diesel Diesel is a sativa grown by Dewey’s Cultivars. Her beauty matches her taste with gassy hits reminiscent of early 2000 diesel strains I would buy in the traditional market. These growers come with a biochemical background and it shows with this plant, pure bliss – and this is coming from someone who prefers indicas.
If you’re looking for something post family events i.e you just realized the debt you incurred for the little ones or you’re just happy your conspiracy Uncle is gone, I recommend Gelato Cake by Agro Couture. This indica dominant hybrid will have your mind drifting away and able to focus on what it is you really wanted to do, hot box your bedroom and binge watch YouTube.
Enjoy these suggestions and may everyone have a great holiday season.
In another positive reason for cannabis legalization – teen use continues to drop.
One of the great arguments against marijuana legalization is it will lead to more youth partaking. This argument is brought out, despite teen alcohol use continuing to be a problem. Now, a new study shows teen marijuana is continuing to decline, coinciding with the increasing legalization of cannabis for adult use across the United States. This trend contradicts predictions made by opponents of legalization, who argued that easier access would lead to increased youth consumption.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported an 18% decrease in the percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds who had ever tried marijuana from 2014 to 2023. Additionally, current marijuana use among this age group fell by 19%. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey found a 26% reduction in the percentage of high schoolers identifying as current cannabis consumers between 2013 and 2023.
Researchers attribute this decline to several factors:
- Regulated markets: Licensed dispensaries require proof of age, making it more difficult for teenagers to obtain marijuana.
- Effective ID policies: Studies show high compliance rates among licensed cannabis retailers in checking customer IDs.
- Shifting perceptions: There has been a significant drop in youth perceptions that cannabis is easy to access, despite the widening adult-use marketplace.
The trend is not limited to the United States. A Canadian study found high school students reported more difficulty accessing marijuana since the country legalized it nationwide in 2019
These findings support the argument that regulated marijuana markets for adults, with appropriate safeguards, can effectively deter youth access and use. The data suggests that legalization policies can be implemented in a manner that provides regulated access for adults while simultaneously limiting youth access and misuse.
As more states consider legalizing marijuana, this evidence can inform policymakers and public health officials in developing effective strategies to protect youth while allowing adult use. The ongoing decline in teen marijuana use demonstrates that legalization, when properly implemented, does not necessarily lead to increased adolescent consumption and may even contribute to its reduction.
Roughly 25% of people are planning to give cannabis as a holiday gift….here are some practical suggestions to make it a success.
Last year was a watershed year for Santa with 1 in 4 planning to add cannabis into their gift giving, the trend is only going up in 2024. Since the plant has become mainstream (except for a few in DC), it is to be found under the tree, next to the menorah and during festive gatherings. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the trend with 78% (vs. 56% of Gen X and Boomers) in planning to include cannabis in their holiday plans. But you you want to do it right, here are the best tips if you are giving marijuana as a gift.
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While giving alcohol is a long tradition, giving cannabis is does have some variances. To start, so far most can’t grab it out of personal stock or fish it out of Christmas gifts already given for the year. While Costco, groceries stores and Total Wine are the booze top sellers, it can be also purchased in bodegas, gas stations and other locations. Cannabis still has to be purchased at specialized dispensaries.
First, plan ahead when you shop. The good news is most dispensaries keep hours similar to a grocery store – open by 9 am and closing around or after 10 pm. This makes dashing in for a last minute gift or squeezing it in during the day easy. Remember to bring cash, have a plan and chill out.
The good news isyou can’t seem to be “cheap” giving weed. Most edibles are in a small price range, whereas wine bought at a grocery stores can go for $6-$100. And the quality of the wine can vary greatly. Most edibles, including gummies, are within the same price point and potency while caring on quality. Wana Brands, one of the nation’s leading gummy makers, hits the mid spot on price. Also, unless you are doing a hefty gift basket, you are can give one or two items as a trail.
Never overestimate someone’s usage. Think about the recipient’s experience level and preferences when selecting cannabis gifts. For most, consider starting with low-dose or CBD-dominant products. Gummies, vapes, oil, or gift cards are all popular choices. Also, ask the budtender what the best sellers for mid level consumers.
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If you are in the less than 50% of the population where legal cannabis is available, consider hemp beverages. It can provide a quick, similar high but is legal. In Texas, they are huge sellers and can be found in some Total Wines, local convenience stores and other locations.
Lastly, have a hint of discretion, it might not be the best public secret Santa gift, but gummies can be a fun White Elephant!
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