Can You Overdose on Cannabis? The Answer is Yes (Update from 2023)

The cannabis available today is dramatically stronger than what existed in previous decades, with THC levels climbing from 1% in 1970 to 25-30% in 2025, creating serious risks particularly for young people who don't understand appropriate dosing. Dr. Grover shares how cannabis has been deliberately bred for higher potency and how new extraction techniques have created products with astronomical THC levels, leading to dangerous situations like young people consuming 60 times a reasonable dose.

• Cannabis potency has increased from 1% THC in 1970 to 25-30% THC today through selective breeding
• Modern extraction techniques allow THC to be added back into products, creating concentrations as high as 45% and above
• A recreational dose of THC is between 2.5-15mg, but products often contain hundreds or thousands of milligrams
• "Greening out" or cannabis toxicity causes symptoms like confusion, vomiting, decreased consciousness, and anxiety
• Children are especially vulnerable to cannabis toxicity due to smaller body size
• Most cannabis toxicity cases resolve within 24 hours with supportive care
• Prevention requires understanding appropriate dosing and using cannabis judiciously

To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com