Doctors have warned that strains of cannabis being sold in Ireland today are far more dangerous to individuals mental health than the strains being sold just a decade ago.
Dr Gerry McCarney, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Chair of the College’s Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry told RTE’s Morning Ireland that “the cannabis people might remember from 20, 30 years ago is not the animal that’s out there now”.
RTE reports that 309 people were admitted to psychiatric hospitals with a cannabis-related diagnosis in 2019, the latest figures available, a record level that is almost three times higher than in 2007 according to Dr McCarney.
The reason for this increase in mental health problems associated with cannabis is due to the increased levels of THC, the active ingredient in the drug which results in people getting a high from its use.
“Anything over 10% THC is high potency cannabis. We frequently have strains available that are over 10% Dr. McCarney said.
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