Marijuana legalization continues to spread nationwide, despite concerns by adolescent drug rehabilitation centers and others that this process is posing a serious danger to younger drug users.
Now, a new danger has surfaced in the form of liquid marijuana, also known as liquid cannabis, a synthetic substance that has sent many users to the hospital due to its potentially lethal side effects.
This latest form of synthetic marijuana is concerning on a number of levels, which is why parents and teens need to be aware of what liquid marijuana is and just how harmful it can be.
In this article, we will discuss what liquid marijuana is, how it’s made, the effects it can have, and why higher concentrations are dangerous for teenagers.
Teen Marijuana Abuse Treatment
What is Liquid Marijuana?
Synthetic marijuana has come onto the market in recent years as manufacturers have been able to skirt around the law to get this product to convenience stores and online retailers. The products are sold as “incense” or other household products, “not for human consumption.”
However, those looking for a fast, intense high know exactly what to do with products dubbed K2 and Spice, with a variety of ways to consume the product.
Colorless, Odorless Form of Synthetic Marijuana
Liquid marijuana is a colorless, odorless form of synthetic marijuana.
The liquid is usually sold in cartridges or small bottles, labeled with names like “Cloud Nine” and marketed as incense. The substance was specifically designed to be used in “vape pens,” a type of e-cigarette that teens are using more and more to inhale flavored vapors and some drugs.
A Liquid Marijuana Drink is also a Modern Method of Cannabis
Liquid marijuana, also known as liquid THC or cannabis drinks, is also a modern method of cannabis consumption that has gained popularity for its discreet and accessible nature.
Derived from Cannabis Sativa Plant
Derived from the cannabis sativa plant, this form of marijuana involves transforming concentrated cannabis extracts into a liquid form suitable for consumption. Liquid marijuana can be consumed in a drink or cocktail and allows users to experience the psychoactive effects of THC.
This approach to cannabis consumption in drinks offers another way to consume THC without the need for smoking or vaping.
Higher Concentrations Mean Greater Risks for Teens
While marijuana leaves contain around 20 percent THC, synthetic forms may contain anywhere from 50-90 percent THC.
Higher THC concentrations pose an even greater threat to teens due to their developing brains and increased sensitivity to psychoactive substances.
Adolescents’ brains are still maturing, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Exposure to high doses of liquid THC can disrupt normal brain development, leading to long-term cognitive impairments, memory deficits, and difficulty with learning and focus.
Furthermore, higher liquid THC levels significantly heighten the risk of acute negative reactions, including:
- Extreme anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- and even temporary psychosis
These effects can be overwhelming and distressing, especially for teens who may not have prior experience with marijuana and are unaware of how to handle an intense high.
The unpredictability of synthetic marijuana’s potency also increases the chance of overdose-like symptoms, such as:
- Dangerously high heart rates
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- and loss of consciousness
Short and Long-Term Risks of Liquid THC
Ultimately, the greater the liquid THC concentration, the greater the risks—both immediate and long-term.
With unregulated liquid marijuana, teens face an even higher level of danger, as they have no way of knowing the actual potency of what they are consuming or whether harmful chemicals are present.
These factors make liquid marijuana an especially hazardous substance for adolescent users.
Why Vape Pens Are Used for Liquid Marijuana by Teens
Another major concern with the increasing popularity of liquid marijuana is the ability to smoke this substance undetected.
Vape pens have become a popular tool for teens to discreetly use liquid marijuana, largely due to their ability to conceal the substance in a way that is difficult to detect. The main reasons why vape pens are effective for hiding liquid marijuana include the following:
Colorless and Odorless Nature of Liquid Cannabis
As explained earlier, liquid marijuana is often clear and odorless, making it nearly impossible to detect just by sight or smell. This makes it easy for teens to use vape pens without drawing attention.
Unlike traditional marijuana, which has a distinctive smell, liquid marijuana does not release a strong odor when vaporized, which makes it harder for teachers, parents, or other authority figures to notice.
Vape Pens Resembling Regular E-Cigarettes
Vape pens are commonly used to inhale flavored vapors, and their appearance is almost identical to that of e-cigarettes or vaping devices that are often marketed as non-intoxicating.
As a result, vape pens used for liquid marijuana can easily be mistaken for regular nicotine vapes. This allows teens to use the device in public spaces, such as school bathrooms or during class, without suspicion.
Stealthy Usage
When teens use vape pens, they often exhale minimal vapor, especially if the device is designed to produce a discreet amount of smoke.
Vape pens are portable, small, and easy to conceal in pockets, backpacks, or even their hands, which means they can quickly take a hit without being noticed by others. The vapor that is exhaled typically dissipates quickly, further reducing the chances of detection.
Flavored Canabis Drinks Masking the Substance
Again, many vape pens are designed to use flavored liquids, which teens may mix with liquid marijuana. The combination of flavored e-liquids with THC-infused liquid marijuana helps mask any subtle traces of the marijuana itself, making the act even more difficult to detect. The sweet or fruity flavor of the vapor further camouflages the presence of the drug.
These factors combined make vape pens an ideal way for teens to hide their use of liquid marijuana, allowing them to consume the substance without being easily caught.
How is Liquid Marijuana Made?
Creating liquid marijuana involves infusing cannabis derivatives with diluents, thickeners, and flavors. When vaped, the liquid is heated up, creating a vapor, and then it is inhaled by the user.
There are two primary methods for making liquid marijuana: oil infusions and cannabis nanoemulsions.
Oil Infusions Method
Oil infusions blend cannabis into an oil base, like vegetable glycerin or cannabis-infused coconut oil, creating a rich and potent mixture.
Cannabis Nanoemulsions Method
On the other hand, cannabis nanoemulsions break down large oil droplets into tiny particles that easily mix with water, resulting in a water-soluble liquid weed.
This process allows for seamless integration with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Effects of Liquid Marijuana
Liquid marijuana, especially when used in high concentrations of THC, can have significant and dangerous effects on teenagers.
Since their brains and bodies are still developing, adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the psychoactive and physical impacts of this substance.
The following are some short and long-term effects:
Short-Term Effects:
- Intense High
- Anxiety and Paranoia
- Impaired Coordination and Motor Skills
- Increased Heart Rate
- Memory and Learning Impairment
- Dry Mouth and Red Eyes
Long-Term Effects:
- Cognitive and Brain Development Issues
- Mental Health Risks
- Addiction and Dependency
- Risk of Psychosis
- Immediate effects
- Cognitive impairment
- Physical symptoms
- Mental health risks
- Brain development
- Addiction
- Heightened risk of overdose
Teen Substance Use Treatment for Liquid Marijuana at Visions
Liquid marijuana is one more way pot is becoming a more lethal substance in our world today.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, it is time to seek help from an adolescent drug rehabilitation center.
Let Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide you with the help you need. Contact us today.
Originally posted on March 2, 2016 @ 11:28 am
