Would you approve of your children smoking weed in college? How about post-college?

 

Approval is the wrong word to use. I don't disapprove of the use of marijuana amongst adults. I think the drinking age should be 18 and alcohol and weed are the same category for me. I hid my marijuana use from my parents for over a year while in college and even after they found out they still couldn't stop me no matter how hard they tried. I hope they don't go overboard in college and granted I know the signs so I guess all I can do is wait and see what happens and deal with it then if that situation arises.

 

Post-college--again, depends on how much and what kind of life they lead. They won't be living in my house with no job smoking weed but if they have a successful life going for them then that will be their decision to make in their house.

I also have teen boys. No chance I'd ever approve of them smoking weed. So, with that mindset, how can I possibly want it legalized? And with your own admission Purple, you regret you did it and caution your kids about it and don't want them making what you seem to say was your same mistake. Am I reading that right?

 

I can't say I regret it. I wish I would have been more responsible and a lot smarter about my use. I went overboard. That is what I am trying to say. I don't want my kids using at all in high school. If they choose to use in college I hope they heed the lessons I gave them when I let them know what can happen if you overdo it.

I can't say I regret it. I wish I would have been more responsible and a lot smarter about my use. I went overboard. That is what I am trying to say. I don't want my kids using at all in high school. If they choose to use in college I hope they heed the lessons I gave them when I let them know what can happen if you overdo it.

Interesting.

Just now stumbled upon this thread, cannot believe I haven't frequented this forum more often.

 

I'm sure many of you all have read my opinions on this plenty in the past, probably will chime in on this discussion a little bit later.

 

 

 

But for right now and in short, Weed is definitely coming full circle in the United States. Marijuana was never looked at as a "bad thing" until around the prohibition era and it is just now getting to where it has went from being looked upon as this big bad horrible thing to more acceptable. I do not think we will ever make it back to the days in which most of humanity feels it is a sacred, blessed, or holy plant, BUT, I do think we may reach a point where people finally figure out marijuana is not as bad as your government has been saying it is for 80 years now. New decriminalization laws are starting to back up the notion that marijuana isn't something most governments are obsessed with cracking down on anymore. The new laws that went into effect in the summer stated that you are allowed up to 8 ounces on your personal now without it being more than even a fine, not even supposed to go to jail (unless bags packaged seperately or any other scenario prompting trafficing or other charges). Every state has now moved to significantly decriminalize marijuana, if it was that bad and if there wasn't that many smokers or pro marijuana users out there I doubt we would see such trends. There are still people out there concerned about marijuana and think it is still a hardcore drug, but for many that false tag is finally starting to fade out.

Just now stumbled upon this thread, cannot believe I haven't frequented this forum more often.

 

I'm sure many of you all have read my opinions on this plenty in the past, probably will chime in on this discussion a little bit later.

 

 

 

But for right now and in short, Weed is definitely coming full circle in the United States. Marijuana was never looked at as a "bad thing" until around the prohibition era and it is just now getting to where it has went from being looked upon as this big bad horrible thing to more acceptable. I do not think we will ever make it back to the days in which most of humanity feels it is a sacred, blessed, or holy plant, BUT, I do think we may reach a point where people finally figure out marijuana is not as bad as your government has been saying it is for 80 years now. New decriminalization laws are starting to back up the notion that marijuana isn't something most governments are obsessed with cracking down on anymore. The new laws that went into effect in the summer stated that you are allowed up to 8 ounces on your personal now without it being more than even a fine, not even supposed to go to jail (unless bags packaged seperately or any other scenario prompting trafficing or other charges). Every state has now moved to significantly decriminalize marijuana, if it was that bad and if there wasn't that many smokers or pro marijuana users out there I doubt we would see such trends. There are still people out there concerned about marijuana and think it is still a hardcore drug, but for many that false tag is finally starting to fade out.

 

 

This is true. At some point, possibly in my lifetime, I expect weed to be legal. It is a waste of time and taxpayers money to arrest, charge or chase after marijuana growers and users. Marijuana, as is with alcohol, shouldn't be overdone and isn't for kids but overall I see no problems whatsoever with adults partaking in marijuana.

Related to the issue.....

 

Saw a new show advertise on the Discovery Channel called "Weed Wars". Looked to be based on the medicinal marijuana industry and looked to be a very entertaining and informative series. Should give a real in depth look into the world of medical marijuana, from the user, to the dispensary owner, to the grower, to the authorities and government. The date I saw for the premiere I'm wanting to say was first of December, 2nd, or 3rd perhaps. Looked to be a very good show and well worth a watch to all those interested in these topics.

I think if you're worried about drug abuse, prescription drugs should be on your radar far more so than marijuana. Adderall, for instance, is very easy to get and can be addictive. Deaths from prescription pain killers are quite a bit higher than the next nearest drug (more than cocaine and heroin combined). I think the idea of a gateway drug is a canard, but I think if you wanted to make that case prescriptions would be far more of the logical starting point.

 

Working in the pharmacy industry I honestly feel that the pain killers are far more dangerous than marijuana. They are extremely easy to get and for the most part, since painkillers in general were among the first drugs synthesized, they are very inexpensive. Far less so than the amphetamines and on account of its illegality it is far cheaper than marijuana.

An interesting tidbit regarding marijuana is the fact that due the scheduling of all medications it gives you an interesting perspective regarding how the government has classified some drugs.

 

Schedule II drugs are the most potent drugs that are legally available. These require a handwritten prescription every time and, in most places, the patient to include their social security number on the hardcopy of the for the pharmacy in the event that they need to run a report to see what they have been filling. CIIs are the most addicting of the legal items, but there are two things that are somewhat shocking to see there. Among the list of Schedule II narcotics are Opium and Cocaine(in certain forms) and yet Marijuana is considered a Schedule I which means it has no medical benefit according to the Controlled Substances Act. The odd thing here is that a synthetic form of the tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) that we all know and love from Marijuna is used legally for the treatment of severe nausea and to help stimulate appetite. Interestingly here the synthetic drug in question here (Marinol/dronabinal) is considered a Schedule III(CIII) drug which has a lower risk of physical dependency and addiction than Schedule II drugs.

 

So the refined synthetic form that is sold as an expensive pill is considered a CIII by the law but the natural version is a CI and supposed to be much more dangerous. I think that right there busts any logic about its addictive properties, not taking into account the other studies previously listed. I also think part of the idea of the "gateway" drug is related to how you have to go about getting the stuff. If you have to go to a drug dealer who also sells other, more addictive, drugs like meth, cocaine, crack and heroin then the odds are good that they are going to be pushing you towards those because of the higher risk of physical dependency. Let's face it, it would be good business for the dealer to have you hooked on something else.

An interesting tidbit regarding marijuana is the fact that due the scheduling of all medications it gives you an interesting perspective regarding how the government has classified some drugs.

 

Schedule II drugs are the most potent drugs that are legally available. These require a handwritten prescription every time and, in most places, the patient to include their social security number on the hardcopy of the for the pharmacy in the event that they need to run a report to see what they have been filling. CIIs are the most addicting of the legal items, but there are two things that are somewhat shocking to see there. Among the list of Schedule II narcotics are Opium and Cocaine(in certain forms) and yet Marijuana is considered a Schedule I which means it has no medical benefit according to the Controlled Substances Act. The odd thing here is that a synthetic form of the tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) that we all know and love from Marijuna is used legally for the treatment of severe nausea and to help stimulate appetite. Interestingly here the synthetic drug in question here (Marinol/dronabinal) is considered a Schedule III(CIII) drug which has a lower risk of physical dependency and addiction than Schedule II drugs.

 

So the refined synthetic form that is sold as an expensive pill is considered a CIII by the law but the natural version is a CI and supposed to be much more dangerous. I think that right there busts any logic about its addictive properties, not taking into account the other studies previously listed. I also think part of the idea of the "gateway" drug is related to how you have to go about getting the stuff. If you have to go to a drug dealer who also sells other, more addictive, drugs like meth, cocaine, crack and heroin then the odds are good that they are going to be pushing you towards those because of the higher risk of physical dependency. Let's face it, it would be good business for the dealer to have you hooked on something else.

 

 

All very good points, I agree with almost all of what you said. I too find it super hypocritical that the Federal Government can classify marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic (highest class) and pretend it's the worst thing in the world, and in return the pill form of THC can be obtained through a prescription and through FDA standards isn't really harmful at all. The notion it has no medicinal value therefor it is a drug is almost silly when state governments are now legalizing medical marijuana where a patient can be prescribed a medical marijuana card (for anxiety, insomnia, nausea, all types of reasons doctors would prescribe a medical marijuana card) and go to the dispensary and choose almost any type of marijuana he/she would want. These same dispensaries and growers still have to work with the notion that at any time the Federal Government can step in and intervene and shut down their operation, arrest, etc. BUT, these dispensaries also still have to pay state and federal taxes and one show I watched on MSNBC stated that in 2009 the federal tax paid in by the medical marijuana industry of California was in the 500-700 million dollar range. So basically the government can get paid and make millions off of the practice, but then turn around and shake it's finger and still try to pretend and scare people into thinking it is a hideously evil plant.

I am wanting to say that the debut for "Weed Wars" is tomorrow night (Dec. 1) at 10:00 pm on Discovery Channel. Time may be different but I am wanting to say it is at ten. Should be a very good show, especially for any person who may be interested in the subject.

 

Again the perameters for the show are following the day to day business of California's biggest medical marijuana dispensary and should show a lot of interesting sides of the trade.

I am wanting to say that the debut for "Weed Wars" is tomorrow night (Dec. 1) at 10:00 pm on Discovery Channel. Time may be different but I am wanting to say it is at ten. Should be a very good show, especially for any person who may be interested in the subject.

 

Again the perameters for the show are following the day to day business of California's biggest medical marijuana dispensary and should show a lot of interesting sides of the trade.

Thanks for the heads up, going to have to DVR this one.

Thanks for the heads up, going to have to DVR this one.

 

Looked to be an awesome series. In the previews it shows the Harborside Health Center owner talking and he said that they had over 94,000 patients so in return it made them the biggest weed dealer on the planet. Looks to be very entertaining.

 

 

Here's a link to their site on Discovery Channel

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/weed-wars/

Missed the first episode of "Weed Wars" Thursday because I was at the UK game, but found it on the web. Looks to be as good as advertised, should be a good series.

Long term it can't be good for you lungs. Maybe not as bad as cigarettes, but I would think that smoking anything over a period of years is not good for you.

 

It has never caused lung cancer or "black lungs." There has never been a single death pertaining to the use of mary jane. Also, marijuana does NOT kill brain cells.

 

Although, everything should be used in moderation. However, bud is the best stress reliever, and I strongly recommend using it recreationally over alcohol, or any other substance.

It has never caused lung cancer or "black lungs." There has never been a single death pertaining to the use of mary jane. Also, marijuana does NOT kill brain cells.

 

Although, everything should be used in moderation. However, bud is the best stress reliever, and I strongly recommend using it recreationally over alcohol, or any other substance.

Wow! Not a single thing accurate in this post. :eek:

 

A recent study demonstrated a doubling in lung cancer for male marijuana smokers who also used tobacco. Another study found that long-term use of marijuana increased the risk of lung cancer in young adults (55 and under), with the risk increasing in proportion to the amount of marijuana smoked.

 

Many of the carcinogens and co-carcinogens present in tobacco smoke are also present in smoke from marijuana. It causes inflammation and cell damage, and it has been associated with pre-cancerous changes in lung tissue. Marijuana has also been shown to cause immune system dysfunction, possibly predisposing individuals to cancer.

 

People who drive after using marijuana are nearly twice as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. French researchers studied all drivers involved in fatal car crashes over a two-year period and found 7% tested positive for marijuana, including nearly 3% who tested positive for a combination of marijuana and alcohol. Although marijuana's share of fatal crashes is much lower than those attributed to alcohol, researchers say the results show that marijuana use, even in low doses, significantly increases the risk of fatal car accidents.

 

THC affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. This makes it hard for the user to recall recent events (such as what happened a few minutes ago). It is hard to learn while high - a working short-term memory is required for learning and performing tasks that call for more than one or two steps. Among a group of long-time heavy marijuana users in Costa Rica, researchers found that the people had great trouble when asked to recall a short list of words (a standard test of memory). People in that study group also found it very hard to focus their attention on the tests given to them.

 

As people age, they normally lose nerve cells in a region of the brain that is important for remembering events. Chronic exposure to THC may hasten the age-related loss of these nerve cells. In one study, researchers found that rats exposed to THC every day for 8 months (about 1/3 of their lifespan), showed a loss of brain cells comparable to rats that were twice their age.

 

Another recent study that showed adolescents and young adults who smoke a lot of marijuana are more likely than non-users to have disrupted brain development. Using brain scans, researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain that interconnect brain regions involved in memory, attention, decision-making, language and executive functioning skills.

Edited December 9, 201114 yr by Birdsfan