A within-person comparison of the subjective effects of higher vs. lower-potency cannabis.
Drug and alcohol dependence November 1, 2020 Sarah A Okey, Madeline H Meier
Regular cannabis users who consume both marijuana (flower) and concentrates (high-THC products like butane hash oil) report that marijuana produces greater positive effects, including more positive affect and enhanced cognitive function, than concentrates do. Negative effects of both forms are minimal. In a survey of 574 past-year users, marijuana was rated as producing greater overall positive effects (mean 5.6 vs. 4.5 for concentrates), and 77.5% preferred marijuana. The findings suggest that for regular users, extreme negative effects from either form are unlikely, and the main difference lies in the positive subjective experience rather than in adverse reactions.