State issues advisory on 'potent' pot
Friday, September 28, 2018 9:14 am NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Department of Health is issuing a public health and safety advisory to warn Tennesseans about the risks of harm associated with use of products derived from Cannabis, including marijuana and hemp that claim to benefit health. TDH is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in urging Tennesseans to be aware of the risks associated with these products. To see the advisory, go to www.tn.gov/health/health-advisories.html. Among the risks cited in the new TDH Public Health and Safety Advisory are: • Marijuana is addictive. Approximately one in 11 adults who use marijuana will become addicted, and the risk of addiction is greater among youth. • Marijuana now available is more potent with greater levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary psychoactive substance in Cannabis than marijuana available in previous decades. The long-term health or developmental consequences of exposure to these high concentrations of marijuana are unknown. • Marijuana use is associated with adverse health outcomes including development of psychoses like schizophrenia and increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. • Marijuana is particularly harmful to a developing child. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy is associated with being born at low birth weight, a risk factor for death in the child's first year of life. • Marijuana impairs judgment and can lead to actions that result in death.
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