title: Just say 'know': how do cannabinoid concentrations influence users' estimates of cannabis potency and the amount they roll in joints?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (1) To determine whether measured concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in individuals' own cannabis predict their estimates of drug potency and actual titration; and (2) to ascertain if these effects are influenced by frequency of use and cannabis type.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, naturalistic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants' own homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 247 cannabis users in the United Kingdom: 152 'recreational' (1-24 days/month) and 95 'daily' (≥25 days/month).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants rated their own cannabis for its potency (1-10) and type ('resin', 'herbal', 'skunk') before smoking it in front of the researcher. The amount of cannabis (g) used in their joints was recorded and an additional sample was analysed for THC and CBD concentrations (%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  THC concentrations were related negatively to the amount of cannabis used [unstandardized regression coefficient: b = -0.009, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.017, -0.002]. Potency estimates were predicted by increasing THC (b = 0.055, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.090) and decreasing CBD (b = -0.160, 95% CI = -0.284, -0.062), and both of these associations were mediated by cannabis type (THC: b = 0.018, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.037; CBD: b = -0.105, 95% CI = -0.198, -0.028). Potency estimates were more reflective of THC as frequency of use increased (b = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.001, 0.007) and were 7.3 times more so in daily (partial r = 0.381) than recreational users (r = 0.052).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When using their own cannabis in a naturalistic setting, people titrate the amount they roll in joints according to concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but not cannabidiol (CBD). Recreational users thus show poor understanding of cannabis potency.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tom P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Celia J A
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Chandni
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hindocha
authors.forename: Gráinne
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: Ravi K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: H Valerie
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Curran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000032:analysis*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002185:Cannabidiol; D013759:Dronabinol
keywords: CBD; Cannabis; THC; daily; harm reduction; marijuana; potency; quantity; recreational; titration