HIGH-CONCENTRATION CANNABIS

Get the Facts
Teen

Do you know what high-concentration cannabis is doing?

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Cannabis has been around a long time. But not like this. The large doses of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) now readily available can impact the mind and body in ways human beings have never experienced before. If youre considering using high-concentration products like oil, shatter, dab, and edibles, get some facts first. Scientists are particularly concerned about risks to young, developing brains and pregnant and nursing people.

Protect your tomorrow, today

You're here because you care about making informed choices. Whether that's for yourself, your family, your students, your patients, or your community, we're here to help.

This site provides research-based information about today's high-concentration THC products and their potential effects on brain development, mental health, memory, focus, and motivation. You'll find practical tools and resources to help you understand the evidence, make informed decisions, and protect your tomorrow.

There are some facts you should know

Colorado led the way in cannabis legalization. Now its time to lead the way in cannabis education. That means confronting some truths about this increasingly powerful drug and learning how to talk to each other about it respectfully and with solid information. This project takes a special look at high-concentration products, which have been recently developed to contain many more times THC than the marijuana flower of a decade or two ago.

Female Teens

YOUTH

It can be hard for young people to predict consequences. But there are important consequences to using high-concentration cannabis, and more information is better than less.
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Pregnancy and Nursing

PREGNANCY & NURSING

Fetuses absorb THC during pregnancy, and newborns via breast milk. Learn how your decisions today can affect your baby for a lifetime.
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Parent with child

PARENTS & MENTORS

Fetuses and young children rely on you to make the best choices for them. And older kids actually do want to hear from the adults in their lives. Learn how to start the conversation and keep talking.
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The Tea on THC Campaign Overview

The high-concentration marijuana products of today contain much higher levels of the psychoactive ingredient THC than products of the past.

To learn more about this trend, the Colorado General Assembly directed the Colorado School of Public Health to review the scientific literature on the prevalence and health effects of high-concentration cannabis use, make recommendations to policymakers, and create a public health awareness campaign for the people of Colorado.

The “Tea on THC” campaign arms Coloradans with facts supported by science and real-world testimonials to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide alternative coping strategies for stress, anxiety, and substance use.

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An athletes perspective

Real conversations, real facts

Sometimes, making it to the big leagues means your worries get bigger too. The NFL's Brandon Lloyd coped by consuming high-concentration cannabis, which quickly consumed his life. Find out how he stopped and why hes happier and healthier than ever.

About the campaign

In Colorado — and increasingly, across the country — theres more talk of cannabis than ever before. Oddly, though, that hasnt always meant more information. Tea on THC is the place to learn the facts about high-concentration cannabis.

To better understand the landscape, the school initiated the Cannabis Research & Policy Project, which assessed more than 66,000 published studies. In 2023, it released a Scoping Review on Health Effects of High-Concentration Cannabis Products report. While only a few hundred of the studies were deemed high enough quality to produce reliable answers, the study did identify consistent trends throughout the research:

  • Most first-time cannabis users are under 21.
  • The combination of higher-concentration marijuana and a high-concentration delivery method means users are getting unprecedented amounts of THC at unparalleled speed.
  • Cannabis is used during pregnancy to relieve stress and nausea. Use is increasing among younger mothers, living in urban areas who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
  • The concentration of the other primary compound in cannabis – CBD, which is not intoxicating and has therapeutic uses – is decreasing.
  • The concentration of THC in marijuana has increased steeply.
  • Frequent high-concentration cannabis users are at increased risk of developing psychosis.

Powered by the Colorado School of Public Health, were here to share facts. But we know that facts alone dont mean much. Information has to come from someone you trust. Were on a mission to help people talk to each other about high-concentration cannabis.

ColoradoSPH teamed up with Initium Health, a public benefit corporation, to elevate the concerns, needs, and voices of those throughout Colorado. This public awareness campaign would not have been possible without community input and the support of other public health organizations. We are grateful for their partnership.

Colorado school of public health

FAQ

Today's cannabis is much stronger because of how it is grown and how cannabis products are made. New growing methods and extraction processes allow companies to create products with much higher THC levels.
Today's THC products can impact memory, learning, attention, emotinal regulation, and decision-making, especially in teens and young adults whose brains are still developing.
There is no known safe dose of THC during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Experts say THC may affect fetal development and can stay in breast milk for days or weeks.
The Tea on THC offers a number of tools and tips for parents, family members and mentors. These resources use science-based strategies to help adults talk with teens in a calm, supportive and honest way.
Healthy friendships, strong coping skills, and clear personal boundaries help teens navigate peer pressure and make better choices for themselves. Also staying rooted in their own values, as well as understanding the risks associated with cannabis products can help them handle peer pressure.
Tea on THC is backed by the Colorado School of Public Health and provides science-based, non-judgmental information focused on todays cannabis and tailored to multiple audiences.
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