The Rise of “Medical” Cannabis and Shifting Perceptions in North Carolina
So-called “medical” and recreational marijuana use has become increasingly widespread in the United States after 38 states and Washington, DC, legalized “medical” cannabis and 23 states, including Washington, DC, have legalized its recreational use.
Many well-meaning people have internalized cannabis industry propaganda claiming that cannabis products are harmless and may treat glaucoma or anxiety. In an astonishing volte-face, cannabis went from a dangerous gateway drug to a wellness product in a couple of decades.
Marijuana is a mind-altering drug derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It has over 480 constituents, with THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) being the main ingredient producing its psychoactive effect. Despite its popularity, there is little scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of so-called medical marijuana. Cannabis products sold in dispensaries are not FDA-approved medications.
However, most Americans are unaware of those facts or choose to ignore them. A 2021 poll by Elon University found that 73 percent of North Carolinians supported “medical” cannabis. A 2022 poll showed even broader bipartisan support for medical cannabis. These surveys indicate that North Carolinians want “medical” cannabis legislation.
Where North Carolina Stands on Legalization
For the time being, cannabis products remain illegal in North Carolina for any use except for very limited “medical” usage, though decriminalized for possession of 0.5 ounces or less for individuals with three or fewer misdemeanor convictions.
The use and possession of cannabis also remain illegal under federal law. However, in April, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, in a historic shift in federal drug policy, recommended loosening the restrictions on marijuana, and reclassifying it from Schedule I (“no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”) to the much less restrictive Schedule III.
Reclassifying cannabis products is likely to broaden access to the drug even further and boost the cannabis industries in states where it is already legal.
Addiction Isn’t the Only Danger
Many believe in the unproven benefits of cannabis, but few understand its addiction risk and mental health impacts. Recent research estimates that approximately three in ten people who use THC products have cannabis use disorder (CUD). For people who begin using cannabis before the age of 18, the risk of developing marijuana addiction is even greater.
At The Blanchard Institute’s recent Recovery Awareness Day in Charlotte, NC, Samanda Stevenson, Clinical Director at Lake Norman Treatment Center, noted that THC is causing serious mental health issues in North Carolina—even though it remains illegal. “We keep getting people coming in with psychosis,” she told the audience. Her colleague, Lenny Segal, Executive Director and Founder of Pace Recovery, echoed her concerns: “We see clients with significant psychosis. We had to adjust our treatment program. It becomes weaponized THC.”
The Rise of High-Potency THC Products
Most people are unaware that today’s cannabis products are still largely unregulated and extremely potent. “Over the last several decades, the THC content of cannabis has changed substantially,” explained Isabella Backman in a blog post for the Yale School of Medicine. “In 1995, the average THC content in cannabis seized by the DEA was about 4 percent. By 2017, it had risen to 17 percent and continues to increase. Beyond the plant, a staggering array of other cannabis products with an even higher THC content like dabs, oils, and edibles are readily available—some as high as 90 percent.”
The “weed” people smoked 50 years ago was very different from what’s available today. “Cannabis is involved in approximately 50 percent of psychosis, schizophrenia, and schizophreniform psychosis cases,” wrote Shrivastava, Johnston, et al. in a 2014 study on the neurobiology of cannabis and psychosis. A January article in The Wall Street Journal pointed out that “more frequent use of marijuana that is many times as potent as strains common three decades ago is leading to more psychotic episodes, according to doctors and recent research.”
The Hidden Threat of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Panelist Harold Hong, MD, Medical Director of New Waters Recovery, mentioned the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids known as “spice” or “K2,” trade names for synthetic designer drugs intended to mimic THC’s psychoactive effects. “People don’t understand what’s in these manufactured cannabinoids because this is a completely unregulated space,” said Dr. Hong. “There are products being sold at gas stations as herbal remedies for anxiety. What people don’t realize is that they are loaded with a chemically modified form of Kratom, a plant that has opioid-like properties.” Once again, the danger is that these products can cause a much more powerful reaction—frequently psychosis—than any “pot” from the 20th century.
Despite these risks, “people argue ‘it’s just marijuana,’ the same argument as with alcohol,” explained panelist Jacqueline Brown, Clinical Director of Newport Healthcare. “We often can’t convince kids that marijuana is bad for them.”
THC is not a safe treatment option for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. “I don’t know of any protocols that declare cannabis a safe and effective treatment for mental health issues,” said Dr. Hong. “So it’s hard to say that THC would be the only option or even a superior option.”
“There are much better treatments available for anxiety without the risk of a substance use disorder,” said panelist Clark Gaither, MD, Medical Director of the North Carolina Professionals Health Program.
The drugs that people encounter today are much more powerful and, in some cases, deadly. The THC levels in cannabis products have dramatically increased in recent decades. An even deadlier threat is fentanyl—a powerful synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The potency and contents of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, are constantly changing. This makes it nearly impossible to know the strength or mixture of substances in any drug product.
“There is no more safe experimentation,” warns The Blanchard Institute Founder and CEO Ward Blanchard in a recent online presentation.
Support for Families Facing Marijuana and Drug Addiction
At The Blanchard Institute in Charlotte, NC, we cultivate a safe, comfortable environment for individuals and families facing substance use and mental health challenges. Our family-centered treatment approach is designed to educate, support, and empower loved ones to play a crucial role in recovery. Families must understand the complexities of addiction and their impact on the recovery journey.
Our admissions process is discreet, confidential, and compassionate. Call us at (704) 288-1097 to speak with one of our experienced admissions specialists and learn more about our substance use treatment programs in Charlotte and Lake Norman.