High-Potency Marijuana, Vaping, and Addiction: What Every Family in Massachusetts Should Know
With Dr. Gladys Pachas, addiction researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital
Interview conducted on La Hora del Café (El Mundo Boston) | My Health Fair
In the 1970s, a marijuana cigarette contained about 7% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant.
Today, in dispensaries across Massachusetts, cannabis concentrates containing more than 60% THC are sold. “Today’s marijuana is not the same as it used to be,” warns Dr. Gladys Pachas.
Science supports that concern: a study published this year found that cannabis use during adolescence doubles the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders.
Dr. Gladys Pachas is Program Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine, Assistant in Research Psychiatry, and Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Her work focuses on preventing and treating dependence on substances such as marijuana, nicotine, alcohol, and opioids, and on bringing that scientific knowledge to the community.
Talking about addiction is still a taboo in many families.
Is marijuana really addictive? What has changed since legalization? Why are teenagers the most vulnerable?
Her answers, based on years of research, combine scientific evidence with a direct message for our community.
Here is what the Massachusetts data show and what the specialist explained.
What the data show in Massachusetts
Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older in 2016.
Since then, the landscape has changed significantly, and official data help explain why this issue deserves attention:
- Adult use: A Massachusetts Department of Public Health study found that about 21% of adults had used marijuana in the previous 30 days, with the highest use among people ages 18–25.
- Teen use: Between 2017 and 2019, an estimated 12.2% of adolescents ages 12–17 in Massachusetts used marijuana in the previous year, nearly double the national average (6.8%).
- THC potency: Cannabis products today—including flower, vapes, concentrates, and edibles—contain much higher THC levels than they did decades ago. Average potency increased from about 9% in 2008 to 17% in 2017, and concentrates can exceed 60% THC.
- Mental health: A 2026 study published in JAMA Health Forum involving more than 11,000 adolescents found that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with twice the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders.
- Opioids: In 2025, opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts fell below 1,000 for the first time in more than a decade (978 deaths), a reduction of nearly 60% from the 2022 peak.
However, in Boston, Black and Hispanic residents make up about 37% of the population but accounted for approximately 48% of overdose deaths in 2025.
The bottom line: important progress has been made, but some communities continue to be disproportionately affected, and today’s marijuana products are far different from those of the past.
That is the evidence Dr. Pachas discussed during the interview.
“Today’s marijuana is not the marijuana of the 1970s”
Higher THC, greater risk of dependence
Dr. Pachas explained that when Massachusetts voted to legalize marijuana in 2016, much less scientific evidence was available, and the marijuana being studied generally contained 5%–7% THC.
Today it is common to find products with 30% THC, and concentrates and edibles that reach 60%, 70%, or even 80% THC.
THC is the component that contributes most directly to marijuana dependence.
Products have also changed form: vapes, beverages, and edibles that resemble candy or chocolate increase the risk that children and adolescents may access them.
Using marijuana is not the same as being dependent
One of the clearest points in the interview was the distinction between use and dependence.
“One thing is use and another thing is dependence. When there is dependence, a person needs the substance in order to feel well again.” — Dr. Gladys Pachas
The concern, she said, is that with today’s high-THC products, dependence is being seen more often, especially when use becomes daily or occurs several times a day.
The developing brain is the most vulnerable
For Dr. Pachas, the greatest concern is not adult legalization, but youth access.
“The brain continues developing until around age 24 or 25. Anything the brain is exposed to in large amounts during that period can have an effect.” — Dr. Gladys Pachas
Although sales to people under 21 are illegal, teenagers have greater access than ever before and often see marijuana use normalized in music, movies, social media, and sometimes at home.
Parents, she emphasized, are powerful role models.
What about medical marijuana?
Dr. Pachas clarified that the FDA has approved only two cannabis-derived medications: one CBD-based medication for a specific form of childhood epilepsy and another medication used to stimulate appetite in patients with cancer or other serious illnesses.
Every approved medication goes through years of research to show that its benefits outweigh its risks, a process that can take 5–10 years.
In studies of marijuana for pain or sleep, some participants report benefits while a similar proportion report little or no effect.
For that reason, she said, research must continue before firm conclusions are made.
Why research participation matters
One of the interview’s strongest messages was the importance of participating in clinical research.
“We know how that medication works in white populations, but we do not know how it works in our communities because we are not participating.” — Dr. Gladys Pachas
Dr. Pachas explained that studies are reviewed by institutional review boards (IRBs), which approve protocols, require ongoing oversight, and can stop a study if safety concerns arise.
Participation is voluntary, monitored, and helps ensure that future treatments are effective for all communities.
Study for teenagers who want to quit vaping
The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Addiction Medicine is recruiting teenagers for a study designed to help them stop vaping using behavioral therapy only, without medication.
Appointments are virtual, held once a week for 12 weeks, and focus on stress management and quitting strategies.
If your child or someone you know is interested, contact information is listed in the resource section below.
Resources in Massachusetts
Immediate help
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
Phone: 800-327-5050
Website: helplinema.org
Free, confidential, and available in Spanish. Connects callers with treatment and support services across Massachusetts.
Research studies
Massachusetts General Hospital – Center for Addiction Medicine
Website: mghaddictionmedicine.com
Information on active studies for adolescents and adults, including vaping cessation programs.
Health information in Spanish
MGH CONECTAR Program
Spanish-speaking physicians share health information with the community through local media and educational programs.
Emotional crisis support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 (press 2 for Spanish). Available 24/7.
Additional services
Mass 211
Dial 2-1-1 or visit mass211.org to find health and social services near you in your language.
Public treatment programs
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) – mass.gov/dph
Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) offers publicly funded treatment regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is marijuana addictive?
Yes. Current evidence shows that marijuana can cause dependence, especially with the high-potency THC products available today. The CDC estimates that about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop cannabis use disorder.
Why is marijuana riskier for teenagers?
Because the brain continues developing until about age 24 or 25. Frequent adolescent use has been linked to problems with memory and attention and to double the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders.
Is marijuana legal in Massachusetts?
Yes. Recreational and medical marijuana are legal for adults 21 and older. Use and possession by minors remain illegal.
Are prescribed opioids dangerous?
If a doctor prescribes opioids, it is because they may be needed for a specific medical condition. Risk increases with prolonged use, which can lead to dependence. Never change or stop a medication without consulting your healthcare provider.
Where can I get free help in Spanish?
Call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050. The service is free, confidential, and available in Spanish.
A partnership to inform our community
This interview is part of My Health Fair’s commitment to sharing health information that affects Massachusetts communities.
Through our partnership with El Mundo Boston and La Hora del Café, we bring the voices of specialists such as Dr. Gladys Pachas directly to the community in accessible language.
Watch the full interview and visit myhealthfair.com to access reliable health information, community events, and free resources available year-round in Massachusetts.
More information www.myhealthfair.com
Important notice
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you or a loved one has questions about substance use, medications, or mental health, consult a qualified healthcare professional. If you are in crisis, call 988 or the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050.
