Vernich Francesca, Stefani Lucrezia, Fiorelli Denise, Mineo Federico, Pallocci Margherita, Treglia Michele, Marsella Luigi Tonino, Tittarelli Roberta
Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Section of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Social Security and Forensic Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Toxics. 2023 Jul 26;11(8):648. doi: 10.3390/toxics11080648.
Cannabis remains the most illicitly produced and consumed substance worldwide, and the average trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis products (marijuana, hashish) has increased over time. This paper presents data about THC concentration in cannabis resin samples seized by law enforcement from 2015 to 2022 in the southern area of Rome (Italy). From 2015 to 2022, more than 1000 hashish samples were analyzed; the average THC content was 18.0% and dramatically increased from 13.7% (2015) to 27.1% (2022). The potency of THC in some samples characterized by unusual shape and color was higher than 24% and, in a few cases, higher than 40%. The age group most involved in seizures of cannabis resin concerned males aged between 15 and 36 years old. The spread of this phenomenon increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Many observational studies compare the increased cannabis potency with the onset of psychosis, depression, anxiety and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), mainly in young adults. THC-potency monitoring provides data that can be helpful to create a network of communication and interaction between universities, and legislative and public health institutions to support education, awareness and surveillance related to cannabis abuse.
大麻仍然是全球非法生产和消费最多的物质，并且大麻产品（大麻、哈希什）中的平均反式Δ⁹-四氢大麻酚（THC）含量随时间推移有所增加。本文呈现了2015年至2022年期间，意大利罗马南部地区执法部门查获的大麻树脂样本中THC浓度的数据。2015年至2022年期间，分析了1000多个哈希什样本；平均THC含量为18.0%，从2015年的13.7%急剧增至2022年的27.1%。一些形状和颜色异常的样本中THC效力高于24%，在少数情况下高于40%。涉及大麻树脂查获的年龄组主要是15至36岁的男性。这种现象的蔓延增加了不良健康后果的风险。许多观察性研究将大麻效力增加与精神病、抑郁症、焦虑症和大麻使用障碍（CUDs）的发病情况进行比较，主要针对年轻人。THC效力监测提供的数据有助于在大学、立法机构和公共卫生机构之间建立沟通与互动网络，以支持与大麻滥用相关的教育、宣传和监测工作。
