Marijuana is literally not what it used to be

Marijuana potency increased to its highest levels in more than 30 years.

The University of Mississippi Potency Monitoring Project says the average of T-H-C--the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana-- reached nine point six percent compared to eight point seven-five percent last year.

Higher levels of T-H-C can increase acute toxicity and mental impairment.

Associated Press correspondent Ross Simpson says marijuana can become a gateway to other drugs and people need to understand the dangers of smoking marijuana.

Simpson says marijuana increases the risk of psychological, cognitive, and respiratory problems and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Marijuana potency is now more than double since 1983.

Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control John Walters says one of the causes for the rise in potency is because many baby boomers have misguided opinions about marijuana.

The White House also says other causes are new technologies and methods to grow marijuana.

The report also shows teenagers feeling depressed are twice as likely to smoke marijuana.