#Weed #Marijuana #Cannabis #THC #CBD #Strains #CannabisCulture
🌿🌿🌿
If you’re a casual smoker, you may have noticed a significant change in the strength of weed over the years. The potency of marijuana has definitely increased, and it’s not just your imagination. In this article, we’ll dive into why weed is so strong now and what factors have contributed to this increase in potency.
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## The Evolution of Marijuana
Over the years, marijuana has undergone a dramatic transformation in terms of potency. The weed that was available in the 1960s and 1970s had a much lower THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content compared to the strains that are popular today. In fact, some of the older strains contained as little as 3-4% THC, while today’s strains can reach THC levels of 20-30% or more.
## Factors Contributing to Increased Potency
### Selective Breeding
One of the main reasons for the increased strength of weed is selective breeding. As more and more people started cultivating marijuana, there was a focus on producing strains with higher THC content. This led to the development of potent hybrids and the cultivation of specific traits that enhanced the psychoactive effects of the plant.
### Advanced Growing Techniques
Advancements in growing techniques have also played a significant role in increasing the potency of weed. With the use of advanced nutrients, lighting, and environmental control, growers are able to optimize the growth conditions for maximum THC production. Additionally, the ability to grow indoors has allowed for greater control over the cultivation process, resulting in more potent strains.
### Genetic Modification
The advent of genetic modification has enabled breeders to manipulate the genetic makeup of marijuana plants to enhance specific characteristics, including potency. Through genetic engineering, breeders have been able to create strains with higher THC levels and improved resistance to diseases and pests.
## Popular High-Potency Strains
### Bleu Cheese
As mentioned by the user, Bleu Cheese is one of the many modern-day strains known for its high potency. It is a cross between Blueberry and UK Cheese, and is celebrated for its potent effects and distinctive aroma.
### Girl Scout Cookies
Girl Scout Cookies is another highly potent strain that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a hybrid strain known for its high THC content and sweet, earthy aroma.
### Gorilla Glue #4
Gorilla Glue #4, also known as GG#4, is an extremely potent hybrid strain that has won multiple Cannabis Cup awards. It is renowned for its heavy-handed euphoria and relaxation effects.
## Impact on Users
The increase in potency of marijuana can have varied effects on users, especially those who are accustomed to older, less potent strains. Many users report experiencing stronger psychoactive effects, including heightened euphoria, sedation, and altered perception. This can be overwhelming for casual smokers, as evidenced by the user’s experience with Bleu Cheese.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, the increased potency of marijuana can be attributed to factors such as selective breeding, advanced growing techniques, and genetic modification. This has led to the development of highly potent strains with significantly higher THC levels. As a result, users may experience more intense psychoactive effects, which can be surprising and overwhelming for casual smokers.
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, it’s important for consumers to educate themselves about the potency of different strains and consume responsibly. If you’re a casual smoker, it’s advisable to start with strains that have lower THC levels to avoid an unexpectedly strong high. Ultimately, the increased potency of weed reflects the ever-changing landscape of cannabis culture and the ongoing pursuit of desirable psychoactive effects. Happy toking! 🌿🔥
It was bred to be stronger, it’s just that simple. As soon as growers and breeders had access to a legal haven in the Netherlands, they got down to it, and their primary goal at first was to up the strength. Now that strength has more or less plateaued the focus is on flavor, effect, the balance of various cannibinoids and things that make it a “more desirable” product. Some of the breeding also goes towards making it a more reliable crop, having higher yields, and so on… but strength is a part of that.
It was prohibited for many years. The first rule of prohibition is that the prohibited substance gets more potent. Same thing happened during the prohibition on alcohol. It wasn’t worth risking jail time to smuggle weak beer, so instead it was rum, moonshine, and other hard liquors.
I own a cannabis store and like 90% of people go for highest thc so that’s what the market provides
There are many reasons
1- People now know how to properly grow bud. Back in the day, most of the bud was “toss some seeds outside, hope for the best”. Sure there were some professional growers, but it was rare. Weed was typically old, and allowed to dry. This meant terps evaporated making the weed weaker.
2- It’s legal, so you’re getting fresher weed. No more 2 year old brick weed from mexico. Now you’re getting 2 week old bud from an indoor grow operation.
3- better lights. LED’s are stupid cheap, and give you more light per watt compared to the old school grow lights. Weed likes light, and grows better with more light
4- It’s just bred to be stronger now.
Follow up question: what strains might be considered “beginner level”?
For everyone saying they can’t smoke weed anymore because it’s too strong, I can’t smoke joints the size I used to. However if you just make little toothpick joints in my experience it does the same job as it did before and it’s more economical that way too.
Might be totally different for other people but that’s my 2 cents.
It’s like the dogs are smaller. People selectively breed the things they like. Same as corn. Corn used to be like wheat. Then we selected the ones we like. Now corn is not healthy at all. Same thing. Hydroponic growers can upgrade every generation until they find the stickiest of the ickiest.
The most THC is found in the resin that collects on the buds of female plants. Once the plant is fertilized by the male plant, there’s no resin as it becomes a seed.
From what I understood was a choice of breeding and eliminating male plants has produced many sexually frustrated female marijuana plants very sticky with this resin waiting for that sexy pollen.
I used to be able to smoke a blunt every other day when I was a teenager. Now day’s i take a single puff and I’m instantly high as a kite, paranoid af and uncontrollable shakes/shivering. Idk what it is but it’s like a switch was flipped in my brain immediately after i turned 21. It’s been 12 years since then and I still smoke once in a blue moon but I can never enjoy it like how I used to. Sad because its really meant to be a social “drug” and i cant do it around other people because I become way too paranoid/weird when I’m on it
And this is actually a huge medical problem as well. Tying up hospital, physician and ambulance resources.
Turns out we have THC receptors in the brain that could handle the 10-18% that your uncle used to grow in the back yard but get overloaded for daily users of the new lab grown high THC.
At least in my area we are have a growing problem with Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. It causes severe abdominal cramping and vomiting. The only things that stop it (short term) is time, heat and pain medication. However long term cure is stop smoking.
Issue is that symptoms can continue for 2 months after you quit. So daily smokers will go a week after their first flare without smoking but then will have symptoms again. They then say those Dr.s are idiots, continue to smoke, continue to have flare ups and be confident that the cannabis is not the cause.
These receptors are indeed overloaded for life, they do not repair and this person should never take cannabis in any form again.
The illegality of weed made it important to grow the most potent/highest yielding varietals in the smallest amount of space
Very late to this but none of the top comments actually answer your question.
Weed isn’t strong now because of some change in how it’s grown, cross-pollination or any of the other answers here. Those are things that have purposely happened to make weed more strong, yes.
But why?
Because 90% of revenue tied to weed is from “high-use” customers. As these customers smoke the most, they generally have the highest tolerance and seek out high-THC products. So if you follow the money (always a great ELI5), you’ll see the products are not catering to the vast majority of the market: heavy users.