Last updated : December 16, 2024
As recreational legalization becomes more prevalent, domestic violence is becoming associated with marijuana use. Many people find this news to be quite shocking.
Marijuana users have long had the reputation of taking an “it’s all good” attitude regarding what’s happening around them. They’re often characterized as jovial, somewhat forgetful, easily distracted, and, more than likely, hungry. Pot smokers like to rummage through the cabinets periodically looking for snacks to fulfill their “munchy” cravings.
This perception is supported by evidence gained from past studies of marijuana users. To such wide degrees, in fact, that it plays a heavy part in the continued legalization of recreational marijuana use across the nation.
In October, however, the Florida DOT made a social media post that mentioned, among other things, that marijuana use is becoming closely associated with domestic violence calls. Other states are reporting the increase as well.
Could it be that greatly increasing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels to intensify the effects—and ultimately, to boost the revenue for all parties involved—is negatively affecting how people react to marijuana? Is domestic violence—or violent tendencies as a whole—more prominent among marijuana users than ever before?
Or is it because marijuana use is so prevalent that it’s being found in homes where reports of domestic violence have occurred rather than being the actual cause of the violence?
Correlating the reports
The evidence gathered regarding the potential link between marijuana use and domestic violence, otherwise known as intimate partner violence (IPV), was by using small and sometimes biased samples in limited geographical areas. It’s important to determine if using marijuana is leading to increased incidences of IPV.
It’s defined as physical or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. IPV occurs among heterosexual or same-sex couples and doesn’t require sexual intimacy. Sadly, IPV is a common occurrence and affects millions of people in the United States every year.
If using marijuana is sparking some of these attacks, we need to know beyond a shadow of doubt. However, that’s going to be easier said than done. Some studies directly link the rise in IPV cases to marijuana use, and others conclude there is no link whatsoever.
Negative effects were rare in the past
Until the legalization craze, the race to produce high THC levels to intensify the effect wasn’t on the fast track. Sure, drug cartels and dealers knew the financial gain associated with a “killer weed” harvest. They have always cultivated their crops to increase potency. When dispensaries began to open to the medical community and then the public at large, however, the industrial race to become the biggest and best was full steam ahead.
THC in high doses causes schizophrenia and paranoia in some users. They develop hallucinations and believe unfounded thoughts that make them feel as if they are being threatened or in harm’s way. They can then become very defensive, unable to compromise, argumentative, hostile, increasingly aggressive, and then violent.
Of course, the possible effects of increased potency on the human body weren’t fully considered before the growers’ merchandise hit the market. Data may soon prove that they should have been.
Before 1990, THC levels in marijuana were less than 2% and grew to around 4% during the early 90s. Between 1995 and 2015, however, THC levels have increased by as much as 212%! Meanwhile, the cannabidiol (CBD) levels in the marijuana plants aren’t rising to the same degree. In fact, it barely exists at all in these plants.
Could CBD balance things out?
CBD is the “protective component” of the marijuana plant so does its presence guard against negative effects? There are no distinct studies to prove that point, but it stands to reason that there is something to that line of thinking. Perhaps, the medical community should fast-track these studies in light of the increased reports of violence and other psychotic behaviors associated with marijuana use today.
Increasing levels of THC without knowing how it’s going to affect the human body is nothing short of negligent. Selling merchandise deemed as “legal” leads buyers to believe it’s not harmful when used as directed. However, we now have heavily concentrated marijuana byproducts—such as oil, shatter, dab, and edibles—with THC levels reaching as high as 95% with no medical research verifying that these levels are safe for human consumption.
We need to take a moment to consider that astounding fact again. THC levels have increased from 4% to 95% with no medical research verifying that these levels are safe for human consumption. Whether or not an increase in negative behaviors is due to a lack of CBD, the astounding rise in THC levels with no medical studies to back them up must be checked.
Identify the effects before things get worse
Young people and old alike are showing up in emergency departments across the country after having used marijuana. The exorbitantly increased levels of THC found in the marijuana sold to the public are obviously having negative effects on some individuals.
The most frequent cause of users to wind up in the ED is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. The symptoms? Repeated or cyclic vomiting which is difficult to treat. However, reports of marijuana-induced psychosis are on the rise as well.
It’s unclear if using marijuana or marijuana by-products, causes these psychotic episodes. It could be that only those who already suffer from some form of mental duress have psychotic episodes surface when under the influence of the drug.
Marijuana-induced psychosis has been clinically diagnosed by hospital personnel, though. Violence could occur during these episodes due to the misconceptions of the user.
They include:
- Feelings of persecution
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Depersonalization
- Derealization
- Grandiosity
The likelihood of marijuana use sparking domestic violence in these instances is a possibility. However, further studies need to be done before drawing this conclusion. No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose yet. We shouldn’t wait for it to happen to conclude that an increased level of THC was the cause of it either.
Voicing our opinions on the matter is important. We must begin holding the marijuana industry accountable for the products they are selling to the public. Reaching out to governing officials in states that have legalized marijuana and demanding that this be the case is the first step we can take to resolve the marijuana concerns—increased domestic violence and medical conditions alike—that are being brought to light.
