I'm sure you've all heard the same epithet repeated over and over again. I attended a talk a few weeks ago by an eminent researcher on schizophrenia who hypothesised that 'high strength skunk cannabis' was contributing to rising cases of drug-induced psychosis in certain areas (particularly South London and Spain, for example).
I've always been skeptical of this narrative for three reasons:
1) because ascertaining 'strength' through THC content alone is reductive when there are over 400 chemical entities factoring into its psychoactive effects. Different strains, growing conditions, metabolic rates, level of fatigue, hell... even how good your day has been all factor into the potency of a high.
2) Chemical testing of cannabis was rather unreliable and not widespread until fairly recently so we'll never really understand overall changes in chemical composition of cannabis mathematically speaking (why do intelligent people make such broad, uneducated assumptions about complex things!?)
3) Although a hard distinction between old and new cannabis varieties is a bit of a fantasy; I'd say that overall my experiences with good quality, well-grown newer varieties tend to be cleaner, more clinical and less psychedelic than 'old-world' weed and I find the high easier to manage overall, even if I might dose myself lower. I've met a few people over the years with similar experiences. Anecdotally I'd say that newer strains carry a lower chance of jitters and psychosis and a higher chance of couch-lock and passing out.
Not really asking a question or trying to make a single point here but just thought I'd log my thoughts on the issue in case it resonates with anyone. Shout out to Pistach for getting me high enough to write this bollox.
