Researchers say better cannabis education could reduce high-potency THC use

Researchers say better education on cannabis compounds could reduce consumers turning to high-potency tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, which can lead to adverse health effects.

Researchers say better cannabis education could reduce high-potency THC use Atlantic Cultivation's Chris Crosbie says consumers think higher THC means higher quality Researchers say better education on cannabis compounds could reduce consumers turning to high-potency tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. "There is information out there around cannabis, and healthy use of cannabis, and with respect to the specific compounds like THC and [cannabidiol]," said Phil Tibbo, a professor of psychiatry at Dalhousie University. "We don't have enough education out there."

According to Health Canada, long-term use of products with higher levels of THC are associated with an increased risk of developing or worsening disorders related to anxiety and depression. In an email to CBC News, Health Canada said "there has been an apparent shift in consumer preference towards higher-potency cannabis products." But the percentage of THC or CBD doesn't tell the whole story, according to Tibbo.

The cannabis plant has more than 100 active chemical constituents and they don't work alone, he said. When they interact, it's what researchers call the entourage effect, a hypothesis that cannabis products can produce greater recreational and therapeutic effects than isolated compounds because of how the plant's various components work together. The common misconception amongst consumers is that higher is better, said cannabis producer and retailer Atlantic Cultivation founder Chris Crosbie.

"People shop within their budgetary constraints and their preconceived notion — especially in the early days — that higher THC products are of higher quality," said Crosbie. Health Canada changed its labelling regulations last year, allowing producers to place QR codes on product packages, directing consumers to a detailed profile of the product's cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabinoids are the compounds that produce cannabis's effects, while terpenes influence a product's flavour, aroma, and, potentially, how it affects the body.

Crosbie believes this kind of transparency should not be optional. "I think it should be mandatory. You wanna have transparency with consumers and what they're purchasing," said Crosbie.

"You want somebody to be happy with their purchase and come back and repeat it again." N.S. seeing an increase in teens with long-lasting psychosis due to high-potency cannabis ‘The wild west:’ How an Alberta recreational retailer is addressing health-related cannabis inquiries Cannabis consumers looking for a specific experience believe it is important to know exactly what they are putting into their bodies. "I do look at [THC] percentage because that's normally what you do," said 23-year-old Mika Donahue, a cannabis consumer.

"But I've been trying to look on the back because it tells you the terpene percentage," she added. Donahue tailors her cannabis use by finding the specific terpene that matches her needs and usually goes for myrcene, which is the most abundant and common terpene in the cannabis plant. "It's more for relaxation and sleep, that's what I use [cannabis] for anyway,” she said.

Tibbo hopes to see a funding increase that would allow for more comprehensive research on cannabis compounds — giving experts the data they need to offer clear guidance to consumers. "We want to make sure that anything that you're putting into your body, and that you're using, that you know what the effects are," Tibbo said. "We do need more research on that, but we also have to have the funding for the research as well."

Information available in stores Retailers like Crosbie face strict regulations prohibiting them from discussing the specific effects of cannabis compounds. "We're strictly supposed to talk within the confines of recreational cannabis use," said Crosbie. "We can talk about what the makeup of that product is, but we can't talk about the medical benefits of that product or how it's gonna make you feel."

"It's a conversation that, unfortunately, you have to tiptoe around," he added. Consumers like Donahue hope to be able to walk into a store and receive recommendations for products that can achieve her desired effects. "I just buy whichever, but I would prefer if stores would [get] more into terpenes and all that kind of stuff," Donahue said.

While Crosbie believes having this conversation with consumers would be helpful, he also understands the reasoning behind the strict regulation. "Some retailers and bud tenders may not have the education and could direct people towards certain products or make false claims," Crosbie said. He said ultimately, it is up to consumers to use available resources to educate themselves on the diverse compounds shaping their cannabis experience.

"It's not a 'don't do cannabis' sort of approach," said Tibbo. "It's just having the information and making sure the information is reaching the people so that they can make those informed decisions." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.

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