Weed Potency Has Increased Dramatically Over Last Several Decades, How High Can THC Limits Go?
In the last half-century, cannabis has transformed significantly, with THC levels – the primary psychoactive component in the plant – increasing exponentially. This surge reflects advances in cultivation techniques and shifting market demand for products with more powerful effects, raising important questions about the potential limits and implications for user safety.
Tracking Potency Trends From The U.S. To Europe
The trend of escalating cannabis potency can be observed at a global scale. According to the New Scientist, THC levels have been rising steadily, presumably due to new breeding technologies for that express purpose: to develop more powerful strains.
In the U.S., data recently released by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in its 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment indicates that the average THC content in “leafy marijuana” reached about 16%, showing a significant increase from the average 5% measured during the late 1990s. Meanwhile, a report released in November 2023 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug …