Next February 24th 2022, at 5:30 pm, in the assembly hall of the Faculty of Psychology, the “Strategies of the cannabis industry to increase its sales and consumption: therapeutic cannabis as Trojan Horse” will be imparted by dr. Manuel Isorna Folgar, professor of the Area of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment of the University of Vigo
Dr. Manuel Isorna Folgar is Professor of the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment at the University of Vigo.
In his speech he explained that one of the uses of the plant was to relieve pain. However, nowadays, recreational use has led to a modification that has increased its psychoactive properties. This modification has only increased the THC content (the main psychoactive component), forgetting to increase other cannabinoids in the plant such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN), which modify the effect of THC. Increasing THC impairs the properties of CBD, a cannabinoid that eliminates some of the harmful effects of THC.
In addition, these modifications are allowing the legalisation of the consumption and trafficking of addictive substances to be breached. The sale of the plant with different modifications allows it to be put on the market with other profiles not related to consumption, e.g. as seeds for "collecting", so that it can be delivered and distributed through national services or transport companies.
He stressed that there is no such thing as medical or medicinal cannabis, since the products that the plant has with these properties are already synthesised by pharmaceutical companies and these extracts are available in the clinic.
The route of administration of the plant is always problematic whether it is aspirated or in food. It is not better to use pipes, filters, etc. One of the biggest risks is that it is smoked mixed with tobacco, which increases the risk of addiction, both to THC and nicotine.
Despite all this, there are many associations that are calling for the medical use of cannabis. Dr. Manuel Isorna gave several examples of why the industry is interested in this product, since the trade in everything related to cannabis is a source of money. Its cultivation requires equipment, fertilisers, treatments, etc., if it is inhaled it also requires tools such as pipes, paper, etc., and if it is smoked it requires tobacco, which will make the individual dependent on its use.
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