Shakedown

Seems when it comes to cannabis research, the feds may be getting skunked. According to a CU-Boulder study, federally produced cannabis for research doesn’t hold snuff to the potency of what’s available on the free market. In fact, it’s probably no better than that old baggie of schwag in your freezer right now.

And while this may be a bummer in the buzz department, the real clincher is that the subpar weed is compromising the validity of research. “You need to study cannabis that is relevant to what is out there,” Daniela Vergara, a CU researcher and study co-author, said.

According to the study (and a quick straw poll of the CU student body), cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the country. However, up until now, the only place for federally funded researchers to obtain pot is the National Institute on Drug Abuse. (*Remember, although legal in some states, pot remains illegal under federal law.)

CU researchers found (via independent testing, mind you) that the research strains were four times less potent than those found in your friendly neighborhood dispensaries. In addition, recreational strains are also more chemically diverse, with more than twice as many varieties.

Fortunately, CU researchers’ Christmas wishes have come true. This week, CU announced it had received a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to examine the effects of high-potency cannabis. The three-year study will specifically look at dabbing (defined as the “inhalation of a dose of marijuana concentrate that is heated on a hot surface and then inhaled through use of a special apparatus.”)

“The THC levels can be as high as 95 percent,” CU researcher Cinnamon Bidwell said.

Sales of marijuana concentrates have increased dramatically in recent years. Researchers will focus on the cognitive skills of high-potency users, such as attention, memory and organization.

Unfortunately, due to pesky federal laws, the researchers will not be able to handle or dispense product to test subjects. Rather, pre-screened participants will “self-report.” In other words, getting stoned can now be classified as “research” – or at least that’s what you can tell mom and dad. Researchers will use a mobile lab to travel to subjects, take blood samples and perform a series of cognitive tests. No word on whether subjects will be able to request a large pepperoni pizza as well.