That why everyone should be able to grow weed.

Factual inaccuracies put me off this. To simply say CBD is medical. THC is not, is vastly oversimplistic and then to suggest cannabis strains were so weak in the 70's ...ridiculous, as any experienced smoker will tell you. Another expert who doesn't know what he is talking about.

It's not caused by commercialization. It has been commercialised for many decades in Amsterdam.This was caused by americanization.

This is from 2017 Why does it take so long to publish these ?

👏🏻Next conversation about Colorado legalization should be about all of the tax dollars generated and where is it all going 🤔

Has anyone else noticed that the quality of Ted speakers has fallen into the toilet lately?

So, what is he proposing? Consumer protection? Reduce THC concentration? Protect minorities from themselves? I'm confused

100% THC is nowhere near as bad as 1/1,000,000,000,000% of Roundup.

I live in Colorado. I've both grown my own weed and have purchased weed at dispensaries. I know firsthand that it is entirely possible to grow dispensary quality, or even better, weed without using any harsh chemicals. It's just like growing tomatoes or any other crop. We happen to know more about its genetics and how to grow it more efficiently than the we did in the 1970's: this is not a bad thing. In fact, it means we have to smoke less matter to get high. We also have a better understanding of how to properly prepare plants before and after harvest to reduce the amount of undesirable chemicals which make the plant harsher to smoke. I would bet that if I time traveled back to the 1970's and smoked the average cannabis that was around back then that it would: 1) be very harsh 2) probably be worse for my lungs than modern weed 3) be much less potent which would mean I would have to smoke more for the same desired effect. This guy seems ill-informed.

In the sixties and seventies, grass and hashish contained quite a lot of THC, especially the hashish that came from Afghanistan and Nepal. You don't know what you're talking about, Mr Ben Cort.

People don't want to put smoke from burnt plants in their throats and lungs, they want THC in their bloodstream. Higher THC content means less carcinogenic smoke on your mucous tissue for the same amount of high. Anyone that think it's OK to get high should encourage that trend.

He never ever elaborated on the fact that some people like me havesuffered from depression since they can remember ,vand the only thing that ever kept me stable and in control calm and collected what's THC thank God medical use is a definite blessing . I really like the fact that he encourages people to think, think . I think that's his main message here.. 🐶😁🔭.

I need more sources and reliable facts I don't really feel like every part of what he says aligns with the argumentation..

No self-respecting professional would call it "weed" in a formal presentation. What a joke.

Unsure if it's been noted before, but high-THC hydro has been available decades before the recent legalization/decriminalization fad has come into vogue, so this guy's premise for his TED talk is flawed.

A very thoughtful talk! I liked his authenticity and candid demeanor. Plus, I never questioned the unwholesome repercussions of cannabis commercialization on society at large.

I think chucklenuts here was high when he delivered this. I couldn't listen to it because he kept chuckling.

The number one issue with weed legalization is it's an absurd and disgusting move if those imprisoned for weed offenses are not set free and reimbursed for their, as we have determined, illegitimate imprisonment.

When the guy said you could take a bath in cbd w/o getting high at all...guy doesn't actually know what he's talking about. Also he is right he talks like a preacher. Doesn't go over well with this subject matter.

"We don't have to look any further than arrest rates for juveniles" - doesn't matter if the arrest rate for adults went to almost zero, right?

"Weed related crimes"? And just what would that be?

So what's bad about having more THC in weed? He didn't actually explain why it's a bad thing, or if he did, I missed it.

CBD is crackin right now where is he getting his data 2002-2003 ha ha. Dispensaries have high turnover on CBD anything, and not so many CBD strains available on the market right now. THC works best in conjunction with other cannabinoids, and terpenes.

I think legalization will bring more choice to the consumers! Low THC, high THC, low CBD, high CBD, the consumer can choose what they want in a safe way while not giving money to organized crime.

I've seen these curves of THC concentration rising in talks before, but than the authors attributed it to illegal growers trying to achieve higher concentrations in order to smuggle less volume of product per "dose". So this trend has started WAY before the commercialization took over. What is interesting is that without proper regulation, the legal commercial practices look no different from illegal...

In FL. It's really challenging to get pain medications now, I find it puzzling and feel that it's part of a plan to legalize cannabis here.

This should be titled, "what i think about cannabis"

There's a documentary series called Explained on Netflix right now. One episode is dedicated to weed, which supports this. Definitely worth watching as well.

Regardless of how true his facts were, he got what he wanted. To start a discussion about cannabis placement in society and the social impacts of commercialization, while polarizing medical vs recreational use.

I have to agree with many of the comments. I wanted to add that (as has been noted by others) the idea that CBD is medicine and THC is "high for fun" is wrong. As an MS patient I've read more than one article talking about what THC can do for my central nervous system.

7:02 "They know we'll consume more of what their selling if the jack up the potency." Couldn't be more wrong; the higher the potency, the LESS the user has to consume to get the same effect

Thank you Ben Cort ♥

Weed has been this potent for a long time. People have been doing extractions for a long time, well before legalization. None of this is new, it’s just legal and available commercially.

Speech written by him, edited by big pharmaceutical money. Vaulted for ten years, updated to sound current and put on hold for another two before placing on YT

What a nice performance. I'm still wondering why other people think marijuana is not good, even though many studies prove that marijuana has a lot of benefits.

This guy hasn't been to Champs or any events...Sooooo much CBD and CBD products it's ridiculous. "Things have changed! I'm scared and you should be too!" is the message I get from this guy...

Surely it's better than what illegal street dealing was doing to it.

The comments here are missing the point, if legalizing pot makes it less safe and doesn’t help people of color... then what was the point? Like the story of alcohol use commercialization is being replayed here, make it fair for all.

This has been very enlightening.

when the guy in blue walks up, did yall notice how much he blinks lol

this guy rubs me the wrong way

I wouldn't be surprised if legal weed would attract some bad apples when it's illegal elsewhere. If that's the case, I don't think that the crime rate in the state is the best meter in this situation.

He has a point that industry has jacked up the THC and that might very well lead to unforeseen consequences; as how the plant affects the body is largely unstudied and there is some evidence that other compounds like CBD provide medical benefits and work in concert with the THC. Certainly there needs to be a bigger focus on mental health, as too much THC can lead to psychotic episodes for those vulnerable. In any case, all evidence points towards the drug being harder to get for those under-age if it is legal, and black market drug dealers have every incentive to increase the potency of the drug as well (\fentanyl being an example with opioids). Clearly we have a better chance of affecting meaningful regulations on a legal market. As far as targeting of certain communities and regulating potency, we need a strong representation in congress that cares about important public issues like this - make sure you are registered to vote now and cast your vote before november 6th - that's how we will really fix these problems.

1) Half a percent of THC as a norm - bullocks. Is he talking about industrial hemp? There are youtube series, where some guys go look for supernatural, local strains. If not mistaken it's called "strain hunter." 2) Why did he have to stress the "WHITE MALE" thing, that's so racist (I'm not white, nor an American, and even for me it sounded so strange...) 3) CBD - medicine, THC - just high= well you could say that to oversimplify it, but this is a TED talk, not amateur talk. 4) I'm not a butthurt stoner, I don't approve of smoking cannabis! I'm just against demonizing or generalizing things. 5) And of course the old argument - still better than drinking and any other drug.

This guy must be fun at parties.

I've moved to a strain that has THC 3 - 6% and CBD 5 - 8% ... seems to be helping better than THC 19 - 22% and CBD 0 - 0.2% for PTSD. Stronger stuff was working with my mind to increase anxiety, lots mental, but some biochemical I think. 40% sounds crazy.

Just like everything it seems nowadays. Find something that people like, industrialise and capitalise on it. It's a shame though how we can have such a immediate destructive drug like alcohol that is socially acceptable. Some pure plain dope should really be the replacement for alcohol, sure it causes metal issues in some people, but it's not like sport or gambling doesn't have any victims.

Everyone was so astounded by these never before seen facts and didn't even react to anything he was saying correctly but you could tell that they were paying attention.

what was his point? or did he just get on that stage to feel better after telling us a story?

what is he fighting for? sounded like he legit threw random facts with no background knowledge in no correlation to eachother

Solutions from someone who believes his addiction has helped keep him alive. 1st step, immediate deregulation for the individual, with the exception of an individuals grow-site testing done at the cost of the STATE, if the state chooses to test. 2nd step, EXTREME regulation for the hazardous materials involved. Near public shame level for a few of them, seriously though. 3rd step, Educate the growers in the fields and greenhouses. Simply, allow information to flow, instead of criminalizing minorities. How would that be harmful? I write this with experience of working a few dedicated months for one of the largest hydroponics supply companies in the world (warehouse junkies unite! -A private joke for my old crew should they ever see it. Love you Paulie!) From manufacturer through middleman suppliers and ESPECIALLY end users (the rich white growers). Cradle to grave the chemical industry, as we CURRENTLY do any patient's volume/purchase history! The chemical aka fertilization side of this industry is beyond toxic folks. An easy TED talk subject alone. Plenty of cases where management (of an illegal grow, or licensed) often sadly overcome with greed, will forgo enforcement for the use of the hazmat suits and other important items for personal protective equipment. Respirators anyone? Individual choice as long as the individual will submit a small percentage of their personal, and not even the "rich white men" will have a say in what the rest of us do. I submit for debate.

What sort of weed crimes are there in Colorado?

He is so misinformed about cannabinoids it is laughable except that he has this type of public format.

Buy "Clean Green"- that's the certified organic label here in WA

Beautiful performance. Brings a tear to my eye whenever I see somebody so passionate about something. Keep up the great work, and remember, it's always great to be a Lancer!!!!!!

The way in which Cannabis is commercialized is not pleasant, I do agree with that. But let me tell you something: In my yought I smoked tons of bongs and the effect could not be strong enough. But these days has not last forever and time came, when to be stoned did not real count anymore for me. I rather changed the way, that maybe twice a year I would have loved to get some real stooney weed. But for everyday it would be of no use for myself. I need it theses days for health reason and I don't want to be stoned the whole day, but to stay in a productive and active way into life. So even seen this very unpleasant way of pushing the percentage of thc and that way of commercialization it would be wrong to return back to prohibition. Prohibition has made suffering sooo much people so what we should do is learn the kids to use it in a responsible way.

He states argument upon argument without backing them up Gives up statistics without sources His only message is cannabis is bad Come on man...

4 min in and he hasn't said anything. TED talk used to be capped at 7/8 min. Get back to it.

shock and horror, someone is making money out of something legal by... selling it?!??? we HAVE TO stop them!

Thank you! I couldn't care less about high concentrate or bubble gum flavored cannabis products. I want organic, fairly traded, local, sustainably grown bud!!! Everything else is a novelty. No bad karma in my smoke! Like all my other spending, I will be voting with my dollars when it comes to my state.

Yeah, I used to love weed. Now it's too potent to the point where it isn't even enjoyable. I used to be able to roll a joint (a thing of the past for sure) smoke the whole thing, enjoy the flavor, then get on with my day while being fully functional and feeling better than I would otherwise. Now, one hit from whatever type of alien looking apparatus people are using now and it's a full blown acid trip. I don't smoke weed anymore. It was enough to make me quit. Even when mixed with other herbs to dilute it, it doesn't feel the same at all. It feels more like I've poisoned myself.

"Y'all didn't think legalizing this here weed would change our business model, did ya? Ya did? Well here ya go, first blunt's free. Kumbaya muthafucka."

it's worth noting, as of this moment, that there are *420 dislikes* 🤭

really after recreational legalization, I cant find CBD without significant thc in my area since all the medical placed closed down. I would have to order it online and the price has skyrocketed. the best ratio I was able to find was 60/40 thc/cbd... I don't like being high, I just wanted the cbd for medicine. legalization has made that a bit more difficult

I’m not saying he’s not stating all the facts here and I’m not entirely surprised to hear the statistics but a robust claim of a 58% increase in African Americans being charged with weed crimes should really come with citations. It’s late now but I will definitely look into how these studies were performed first thing tomorrow. Really curious about the validity of such info, if it’s true...it’s absolutely crazy.

Weed was just half a percent? That’s very misleading and I am concerned about potency and CBD:THC ratio

THCA, THCV and CBG are arguably just as medicinally significant as CBD. Heirloom and landrace varieties can produce THC levels comparable to modern hybrids when brought to proper maturity. And you don't need synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides to achieve a crops genetic potential. Everything else seems accurate

Food industry got into line? WTF is he talking about?!

Is this guy even involved in the industry? He brings up things that are true and then puts inflections on the information like it’s a bad thing. Then he brings up minorities, and information about minorities that have nothing to do with cannabis and everything to do with the stigma. Is this guy anti-capitalist? Why does he keep talking about corporations making money, i don’t care if corporations get rich, i care if they produce a clean safe product. Mom and pops are still making money, growers are still making money, the profits have just gone down from 300%-500% to 200%-300%. High THC percentage is not a danger, it’s just as natural as hemp. To think humans interacting with nature is un-natural is ignorant.

All that I'm seeing is a call to regulate weed (or THC) like alcohol is with it's proof's and contents. I'd be for that, but any call to ban it again is something that I'd be against.

When he said almost all the medicinal aspects lye in CBD I knew this was going to be ridiculous but wow jut wow. There is a butt load of lies here folks.

THIS IS SO TRUE I am 60 years old and smoked a lot of weed as a teen. I have lived in CO for the last 30 years and it is pure B.S. kids don't have a chance today... politicians and corporations that's all that matters $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Does Ted ask their speakers about research or facts that back up the talks, or , like this guy, is everyone just allowed to get up & spout an opinion? Because if that’s the case, hey, I was educated at a private college, believe in the freedoms of everyone,and I have LOADS of opinions... Usually backed up by at least SOME kind if facts-unlike this guy...

I'm not so sure what point he's trying to make here. Would he prefer that weed remain illegal? Is he suggesting that any & all commercially available weed is garbage and has no value to the right people in the right set of circumstances? Legalization was step one and there are many more steps to take along a path of change and evolution. He raises some valid points, but the discussion is far to complex for his 16 minute presentation to have any real depth or substance and his stats are ambiguous at best. It honestly felt to me that his time on stage was more about stroking his own ego by speaking at Tedx Mile High than it was about bringing up any real issue for debate and solid conversation. Ted videos, just like this one, often sound like some kid wrote an op-ed to a local paper and bring little or no real value to the topic...

We need to legalize pot federally, or at least change it's category. The current situation makes it impossible to do the controlled testing needed to understand how pot can be managed therapeutically. Do the science! I live in Washington, where it is legalized. I don't get high but do buy an oil to control pain and help me sleep. This substantially reduces my use of oxy and that's a good thing.

I had to unlike this video so the likes would stay at 420. You're welcome.

Not sure about 1960, but in the late 70's we were already getting top shelf Apple Skunk weed from Humboldt County. Yes, probably not 25% thc like today. But don't be foolish about those specs on the jars. A growers only need to test a good bud. Doesn't mean It is that strain in the jar.

Tedx I enjoy your talks. But for this subject I don't feel good, I grew up with a drug addict parent who held down a job and I admired he smoked marawana openly I hated it but I had no choice and no where else to go. I thought well he can live a normal life have kids my parents had just split up so I felt no harm in trying to follow my leader and tryd marawana I was 16 angry at the world for my parents breaking up and felt comfort in neglecting my health to help my thoughts and feelings. Dr Dre released his chronic album at the time and made it even cooler but now I'm a victim and live with skitzophrenia. I'm upset all the time over people trying to legalize it as I feel my father should be put in jail for giving me the drugs telling me they help and I've missed my chance in life there's no protection from it I live with drug addicts who hope it's legalized and everytime they talk about legalizing it it's like I'm a ghost with an illness and they praise the idea. I get mad angry at society for neglecting people like myself who didn't get that second chance under bad leadership as a kid I'm sad now and never get upset but you are in a position that counts and there are others like me. These days I'm withdrawn from being social it scares me I loved life but now it's groundhog day of no emotions no joy and it's like being spat on when your forgotten I empathize with first nations people like I'm selfish feeling my anger over this. I secretly have a hatred for my parent for giving me the drug saying it will help me and this talk of legalizing it laces my family with more hate because they want it legalized yeah we're a poor family too from your talk I'm white and have been to jail 5 times given the direction the illness can lead you untreated the world can't be that stupid you'd ask the bullies that s Go on shooting sprees what's wrong with the world too but it's always after its too late

Pointless talk. Alcohol has medicinal properties too, but that’s not why people use it.

total misinformation, if u grow your own and don't heat the bud u get pure cbd and thca with no high...

Great video!

Wow, so true!

im glad we dont have this problem here in mexico, all our weed is pure and cultivated in fields, also is illegal haha :(

This talk is not well thought out. The high content of THC is the result of hybridization- not the pesticides or fertilizers. If you are criticizing the product as being “unnatural” than I think you should quit eating any food-plant or animal-produced by agriculture(all selectively hybridized for desired traits). Also, the money is not only made on THC. CBD is a booming market. And THC also has medicinal benefits. Please do more research before you spread poorly thought out information.

It's kind of tough to take his discussion seriously when he keeps laughing at his own jokes, but he has a point. Instead of buying legalized pot and feeding a negatively growing market, I'd much prefer to grow my own so I can monitor its growth and what goes into it. Too bad the law says you only get to grow 6 plants at a time.

Everything he says is correct unfortunately and we have to stop making the potency of THC this strong bend the potency of CBD stronger

Lobbying always kills off small businesses and benefits the large corporations.

What a dreadful lopsided presentation. I am positive there are serious issues to be dealt with, but hopefully, it won't be acted upon from information by people like this presenter. It took questions from the audience to even edge towards what even this guy's position is little alone a hint that this is a complex issue. There is so much to criticise about this talk, and perhaps TED Talks aren't the right venue given the inherent flaw around time.

Oh my... I'm shocked... Has a point... However THC rocks!!

well done. Just well done.

the ending handshake lmao the cringe

I don't know anybody who still uses poison or fungicides in a way that is of any concern, if they used them at all they are likely organic, months later when the final product is ready.

thank you, it is bad how much thc we do. Wheres my weed with thc level analogous to beer alcohol levels??? wheres my beer weed?

There are three guys on me. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GAME? 😂 So childish, but I'm here for it 😂

It's times like these I wish I had a super like button.

I'm queer and use concentrate & pens for anxiety "educator" Ben Cort, it's helped me more than any "natural" cancer-causing smoke from bud

Did Ben just say that marijuana was a gateway drug for him? Lol

Why does this guy sound like bill nye tho? lol

Regulation is a good thing! We need more of it, as its job is to protect us. The last thing big corporations want is more regulations is because they claim it hurts their profits, as that is the only thing corporations care about; profit.

Last point, this guys speech is a blatant attempt at getting around cannabis legalization by saying "We're not prohibiting cannabis. We're prohibiting THC!" Slithering tactics. Ben, we voted on it & we, the people have spoken. And don't think we aren't watching for ur next tactic: potency caps. Ugh! Just ugh. I thought you were better than this TedX.