07/08/08

Teens being treated for marijuana dependence and emergency room department admissions for marijuana use continue to increase despite reported declines of teen use of the drug. A new report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University states that today's marijuana is more potent with average THC levels higher than ever. The average THC level in seized marijuana samples from the mid-70's were less than one percent compared to 8.8 percent today.

Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institue on Drug Abuse said that, "It is important to remind young people, their parents and others that marijuana is not a benign drug. Marijuana can be addictive; it interferes with brain functions, like learning and memory. And it may pose a threat to the health and well-being of children and adolescents at a critical point in their lives -- when they are growing, learning, maturing and laying the foundation for their adult years."

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