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We’re asking the wrong questions about pot
PoliticsDiscussion.com ^ | May 27, 2018 | Judith Grisel (prof - neuroscience, Bucknell U)

Posted on 05/27/2018 6:16:38 AM PDT by Steve Schulin

... The offspring of partying adolescents, specifically those who used THC, may be at increased risk for mental illness and addiction as a result of changes to the epigenome — even if those children are years away from being conceived. The epigenome is a record of molecular imprints of potent experiences, including cannabis exposure, that lead to persistent changes in gene expression and behavior, even across generations. Though the critical studies are only now beginning, many neuroscientists prophesize a social version of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” in which we learn we’ve burdened our heirs only generations hence.

(Excerpt) Read more at politicsdiscussion.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cannabis; children; fakescience; genetics; junkscience; marijuana; neuroscience; pot; smellslikebs; wod
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I'm 63 years old and have long considered the federal prohibition of recreational drugs to be both unconstitutional and counterproductive. This article emphasizes the long-term neurologic effects of marijuana on young people, including genetic changes that will be passed on to some of their children. Can we secure the blessings of liberty for our posterity in a future where citizens can't distinguish between what's important and what's not?
1 posted on 05/27/2018 6:16:38 AM PDT by Steve Schulin
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To: Steve Schulin

I’ll reserve judgment on the pot part until there’s more evidence, but some of this epigenome is the same PC “science” that says that’s where physical “privilege” resides in the body, and/or the “trauma” of having recent slave ancestors, as their “rationale” for reparations.


2 posted on 05/27/2018 6:25:45 AM PDT by aynrandfreak (Being a Democrat means never having to say you're sorry)
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To: Steve Schulin

This is a real public safety issue. And governments have the right to ban it, regulate it, just as they’ve had to do w/ respect to alcohol, Rx, etc.

And I sure wish I had listened to the prohibitionists rather than the “no worse than alcohol” retards.


3 posted on 05/27/2018 6:27:39 AM PDT by A_Former_Democrat (Ban athiests, not guns)
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To: Steve Schulin
The war on drugs bonanza has been a great boon[doggle] for a whole host of mental health "professionals" law enforcement "professionals" university researchers, professional prohibitionists, second rate attorneys, and most of all the drug cartels whose power and wealth have been augmented by this government created and government enforced near monopoly on private supply.

I mean look at the attempt to keep the whole thing going here - "epigenome," "future generations", "studies only now beginning"

The bonanza has been good for a lot of folks who would otherwise have to find gainful employment, sort of like the post cold war CIA, that could never figure out how to stop fighting commies and deal with present dangers - funny how the Rooskies are back on the radar screen.

It's Western Civilization's version of a cargo cult.

4 posted on 05/27/2018 6:28:42 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Steve Schulin

What is the difference between alcohol abuse and put use? I wouldn’t use pot no matter what because I like my brain. But if people want to destroy their brain and act stupid should we spend zillions stopping them? I am not providing the answer just asking the question.


5 posted on 05/27/2018 6:32:13 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: Steve Schulin
We’re asking the wrong questions about pot.

What were the questions? I forgot. Could you please repeat them.

6 posted on 05/27/2018 6:33:21 AM PDT by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Iran Deal, Nukes: Click ETL)
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To: Steve Schulin
as a scientist, I’m unimpressed with many of the widely used arguments for the legalization of marijuana

Yes, keep my research grants flowing so I can continue to pursue junk science.

7 posted on 05/27/2018 6:36:43 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Steve Schulin

Where are the anti-smoking Nazi’s? It seems they’ve all taken up pot.


8 posted on 05/27/2018 6:36:49 AM PDT by ThePatriotsFlag (We are getting even more than we voted for.)
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To: Steve Schulin

The brain is 90% phospholipid. Higher intellectual functions such as speech, sight, hearing, thought, memory and emotion is in the final analysis a function of lipid metabolism. However just how those lipids churn in the brain that generate those higher intellectual functions is essentially unknown. If inquisitive free scientific research continues in the new millennium, perhaps just perhaps, mankind just might come to understand the biochemistry of human thought.

Those who rant that the introduction of fat soluble chemicals such as cannabis, that alter brain function is harmless, delude themselves and those they influence. If you are smart, you will keep away from marijuana and the people who use it.


9 posted on 05/27/2018 6:37:22 AM PDT by allendale (.)
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To: aynrandfreak
says that’s where physical “privilege” resides in the body

Yes, sometimes it brings on vomiting that goes on for days. Have some more pot cookies and the vomiting comes back no matter what. The body can permanently reject pot sometimes.

10 posted on 05/27/2018 6:44:58 AM PDT by CptnObvious (uestion her now.)
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To: Steve Schulin
…….many neuroscientists prophesize a social version of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” in which we learn we’ve burdened our heirs only generations hence.

Good analogy because Silent Spring was full of false claims and junk science, just like the statistics these drug warriors use today
11 posted on 05/27/2018 7:03:02 AM PDT by slumber1 (Islam delenda est)
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To: allendale

We see first hand the results of alcohol and opioids on our offspring. Just common sense should warn us of the risks. Course common sense is pretty rare these days.


12 posted on 05/27/2018 7:07:41 AM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: Steve Schulin

But yet we do nothing about the epidemic of over-prescribed anti-depressants (especially among women), which I am convinced has contributed to the explosion of autism and mental illness in our children.

But this is a study the pharma companies don’t want to enter into...


13 posted on 05/27/2018 7:09:52 AM PDT by Magnatron
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To: Steve Schulin

It’s a gateway drug don’t ya know!


14 posted on 05/27/2018 7:10:06 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Steve Schulin

I am against pot being legalized, but it is a tsunami that cannot be stopped.

I agree that there are more medical problems associated with marijuana than with cigarettes, but now with Canada legalizing it for recreational use come July, every state on the border will be like it was during prohibition.

It is estimated that by the year 2030, the marijuana industry will dwarf that of the soda industry.

There is a marijuana distribution company (CRON) that is the first to be on the Nasdaq. There are marijuana pharmaceutical companies on Nasdaq, but this is the first one whos sole purpose is to sell recreational pot.

If things go as it looks they could, this $6.00 stock could be worth as much as $30.00 in two Months, and a lot of people are lining up to invest in it.

CRON is merging with MedMen of Las Angela’s. It is the largest distributer of marijuana and related items in the US. Once they merge CRON will have a market in the US. They already have outlets in Europe, and now moved into Australia. They have expert business individuals running it, not potheads, they are in it for the long haul.

Even the democrats are already talking of trying to decriminalize it at the federal level. It will not shock me if they use it as a way to get the young vote come 2020, like they did in California and Colorado.

Regardless of the downside, it is time to face the facts, marijuana will be like booze, hell, in places it is already legalized it is hurting the bar industry. What does that tell you.

Time to either jump ahead of it or get rolled over by the tsunami that cannot be stopped.


15 posted on 05/27/2018 7:11:22 AM PDT by OneVike (Just another Christian waiting to go home)
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To: yldstrk
What is the difference between alcohol abuse and put use?

There are many functional differences. In the interest of not writing a 10,000 word article, I’ll just touch on a couple.

Alcohol is a water soluble small molecule that often contaminates foods that we eat, for example fruit that has fermented for a few days before consumption. This was such a problem that our early evolutionary ancestors evolved a mechanism to detoxify alcohol. For this reason, even if you drink alcohol to the point of having severe symptoms of toxicity, your body is busy detoxifying it. You have to drink a lot of alcohol in a short time to overcome the body’s natural detoxifying process.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is not water soluble. Since it is fat soluble, it very quickly goes into fat deposits throughout the body. Thus, even though liver enzymes can destroy the active components of marijuana, much of it is bound up in fat instead of circulating in the blood where it can be processed when it goes through the liver. So marijuana can remain in the body for weeks after use.

Marijuana also has physical effects that alcohol does not have. For example, the epigenetic effects mentioned in the article. The word epigenetic refers to a process of chemically changing the DNA without changing its sequence. This affects gene expression, which, in turn, affects the function of the body. For example, if a neurotransmitter gene is modified in a way that decreases the production of the neurotransmitter, the function of that neurotransmitter is impaired, leading to impairment of brain function. And because epigenetic changes might never be reversed, this impairment can be permanent. Epigenetic changes can happen in germ cells, too, so they are passed down to future generations.

On top of that, exposure to chemicals in marijuana causes some kinds of cells to die. So if cells that are important for normal brain function die, they are gone forever, and brain function is permanently altered.

The brain develops until about age 25. People who use marijuana while their brains are developing are more likely to develop psychotic disorder than non users.

Hmm, I went on a little longer than I had planned...

16 posted on 05/27/2018 7:15:49 AM PDT by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
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To: Steve Schulin

“Though the critical studies are only now beginning, many neuroscientists prophesize a social version of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,”

Is that neuroscientific prophesy?

Hell, I can do that.

So can you.


17 posted on 05/27/2018 7:18:59 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: yldstrk

While asking the question, ponder this fact: Alcohol causes FAR more brain and neurological damage than weed.


18 posted on 05/27/2018 7:22:05 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Steve Schulin
...many neuroscientists prophesize a social version of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,”

Upp. Almost had me there.

19 posted on 05/27/2018 7:23:06 AM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: Steve Schulin

The question always ends up the same.....
“Dude will I have curly fries with my bacon burger or tater tots.”


20 posted on 05/27/2018 7:29:45 AM PDT by DainBramage
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