Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do we think MJ use will decline at any point?
Yes, but I think we're still on the upward trajectory of legalization and use. As more people use, more people will become aware of the potential side effects (cannabis-induced psychosis, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, etc.), which will hopefully lead to increased advocacy and outreach and, ideally, lower usage rates. Right now, a lot of people view pot as "just a plant", and may not realize it's an insidiously addictive substance with a very long withdrawal period. Withdrawal from even short-term cannabis use can lead to temporary depression, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. A lot of people use cannabis to deal with stress or other issues that may cause similar issues, and may not connect the cannabis to their suffering.
The increased THC content in available cannabis, and the availability of concentrates and extracts, and the use of less-noticeable cannabis delivery systems (edibles, vapes) combine to mean that a lot of people have a lot of access to a lot of THC. This is already an issue in emergency departments and psych departments, and that isn't going to go away until people are made more aware of the consequences of cannabis use.
Eventually, the balance will stabilize. There will always be pot smokers, and cannabis has medicinal properties that can be beneficial to a lot of people with a variety of conditions. But for now? The rates of people using cannabis are increasing as legal access increases, and these new customers aren't necessarily aware of the potential pitfalls.