Research helps dispel marijuana myths

Sober Talk ^ | Thursday, August 1, 2002 | By BECKY CLARK, MSW, CSW

[Behind Liberal Lines]

As we endeavor toward a more lucid and informed discussion of substance abuse, let's deconstruct the mystique of marijuana and recognize it for the dangerous drug that it is.

Marijuana is a substance that's worthy of our concern. It is the most prevalent of all illicit drugs used in the country. The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that 34 percent of Americans have used marijuana in their lifetime and 5 percent are current users.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

If some wants to smoke weed, let him smoke his brain out...

You might have a point.

However, why is it so wrong to point out even potential or possible dangers to people who do so?

Conservatives and libertarians often (validly) say "yes, it is dangerous/unhealty/addictive (see, eg, junk food, tobacco and/or booze), but we feel there is still a right for a person to consume it without government interference."

Why, however, as soon as its POT does the ability to admit it might not be healthy fly out the window?

What are marijuana advocates so afraid of?

[A2J]

Any time an ER patient mentions that he/she has ever smoked marijuana, it is listed as the cause for the visit.

And how would you know?

Were you the abused or the abuser?

[sweet_diane]

"you would be surprised to find out that most pot smokers are not flaming liberals."

I, for one, wouldn't be surprised. Many of the ones I know are pretty darn conservative not only politically, but in their lifestyles.

We have a friend who is a recovering coke addict and has monthly urine tests with a Probation Officer. Coming off coke is a long and difficult process. He once said that if he could only smoke enough to take the 'edge' off it would help so much with sleep etc, but pot is detectable in urine for quite some time while coke clears the system in something like 3 days.

[A2J]

Also, the new game in law enforcment is to force some mairjuana law violators into drug treatment (you're given a choice of course, jail time/probation, or treatment).

Again, how would you know?

[steve-b]

Any time an ER patient mentions that he/she has ever smoked marijuana, it is listed as the cause for the visit.

Yep; this is the same scam used by Sarah Brady to count 25-year-old gang-bangers as "children killed by guns".

[William Terrell]

Ever heard of "chronic"?

Having a hard time making sense out of you response here. Do you mean it is the "chronic" hospital emergency room(s) the study is referring to?

[Between the Lines]

Why did you post the source as being Sober Talk when it is the Ithaca Journal?

[tahiti]

Destructor, you stated:

"...Potheads are in the minority might make it harder to get Marijuana legalized."

The 9th amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:

"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain RIGHTS, shall NOT be construed to DENY or DISPARAGE others (rights) RETAINED by the PEOPLE."

The framers composed this amendment because they new the essence of freedom, all of the liberties inherent to men and women, were too numerous and personal to list.

The constitution of the U.S. and of the States are designed to protect the liberties of the minority from the tyranny of the majority.

One of our RIGHTS, not enumerated in the constitution, but retained by the people, which shall not be denied or disparaged is the right to ingest the substance of our choice.

You do not want to ingest marijuana, don't that is your choice. Do not use the tyranny of the majority to deny others their right.

I am sure you will be in complete agreement with me and support the constitutional right to ingest the substance of your choice because in the very near future, "they" will be have made your cheeseburger illegal.

[sawsalimb]

He also left out the jazz music. And the white women consorting with black males.

Don't forget-it can also cause severe dampness in the underwear of some government employees,if they're confronted with rational thought while under the influence.

[AppyPappy]

"Chronic" is the street name for marijuana. It is popular with the gang-banging crowd

[A2J]

Back in my high school drug classes in the 70's we were taught that marijuana was not a physically addictive drug, that it may be psychologically addictive, but not physically...like say alcohol, heroin or coke is.

If you would READ the article you would find that it mentions the fact that marijuana today is far more powerful than it was in your "high school drug classes in the 70's."

Knee-jerk reactions are also indicative of heavy drug use.

[A2J]

BTW you would be surprised to find out that most pot smokers are not flaming liberals.

And I suppose you have documentation to support your rant?

[steve-b]

However, why is it so wrong to point out even potential or possible dangers to people who do so?

There's nothing wrong with pointing out actual proven or probable dangers (it seems obvious to me that inhaling smoke from burning leaves, whether they are tobacco, cannabis, or dandelions, can't be good for you).

Spreading dishonest and illogical BS like the article at the head of this thread is quite another matter.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Bad cut and paste. Meant to post column and source name.

[steve-b]

And how would you know?

By doing research instead of just making stuff up. You should try it sometime.

[A2J]

This is "junk science". Very similar to global warming! People with agenda attempt to hold on any number, even falsifies numbers to justify their case. If some wants to smoke weed, let him smoke his brain out, even subsidize the price to below cigarettes! People, it is not as dangerous as cigarettes! Once we take the profit out of drugs, the hole taboo will disappear!

And your horrendous lack of grammatical skills is clear evidence that you smoked one too many, my friend.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

So much for the theory that pot use makes people more mellow. ;-)

[steve-b]

The actual source is http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20020801/localregional/341157.html.

Yep, this nonsense came from the very mother lode of BS:

[Paid4This]

If the stat is true, it's just a measure of how widespread use is. There's likely no correlation though between their use and their trauma.

[sweet_diane]

"Knee-jerk reactions are also indicative of heavy drug use"

There sure must be lots of heavy drug users on FR then! ROFL!!

I'm sorry A2J, I know you were trying to make the "those who don't think like me are all druggies" point.

and I DID read the article.... sorry, I'm just not swallowing it hook, line and sinker.