We can all agree that Americans experienced some crazy cool things during the 1970s. Legendary British rock band Led Zeppelin plowed through the U.S. on their North American Tour in 1972, while George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode IV changed the film industry forever. For a time, rebellion and insanity fueled young people across the country. So, it is no surprise that thousands of young rebels turned to the little green plant for peace and resolve. Weed (or perhaps you would prefer Mary Jane) was just as popular back then as it was today. In fact, we doubt there was a single rock concert where a joint wasn’t being passed around. However, has weed (like the times) changed at all? Is the drug people are craving today the same drug their parents craved in the ‘70s? Let’s take a walk down the hippie trail and see if the drug has changed since this time.
Hippie Trail
Have you ever heard the phrase “hippie weed”? At one point, people used this term to refer to the drug, particularly during the height of hippie culture in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Interestingly, though, weed was not the same chemical explosion it is today. In fact, reports show that THC levels in ‘70s weed reached 6 to 8%, while modern THC explodes to 51%. So, your parents were probably not getting as high as people are today (unless they smoked an entire bag). Why was THC so low back then?
Remember that all marijuana in the ‘70s was 100% (no arguments) illegal. As a result, large quantities of “hippie weed” in America were mostly imported from Columbia. Due to the lengthy process of packaging and shipping, the THC levels in marijuana dropped, and the batches of the plant prematurely aged. Likewise, marijuana was exposed to hot, humid environments during its months of travel, reducing the potency of the THC overall.
Home Growing
In the 1980s, however, things shifted in the American public’s favor. During this time, hydroponic systems (growing plants without soil) became more prevalent and produced more potent, flavorful batches of marijuana. As a result, an indoor growth revolution began as people started cultivating plants in the privacy of their homes. Likewise, hybridization also grew in popularity during the ‘80s, and this process itself increases the potency of THC.
Always remember that marijuana does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
