Open Letter to Parents on Marijuana

[BuzzKill]

I said:...are significant health risks to any kind of frequent use. I do think frequent use in the teen years may predispose a person to depression and anxiety as an adult. It has to do with the effect of the drug on the brain and the wearing out of the neurons that one needs to feel content and at ease. It also, without a doubt, eats up memory. Then their are the respiratory problems and the adverse effect on the immune system.
 


They said:
All very interesting if true. Post some links to the science behind your assertions here. Or are you just speculating?

I say:
Not just speculating - I have based my comments on personal experience and observation, as well as information found in various articles, books,and documentaries. I can't provide links or references tho, b/c I can't seem to recall exactly where I read it, saw it and so on.
Just can't remember. . .
Oh well, pass the Doritos's . . .
Munch, Munch, Munch


[ This Message was edited by: BuzzKill on 2004-10-21 13:46 ][ This Message was edited by: BuzzKill on 2004-10-21 13:48 ]

[Anonymous]

...are significant health risks to any kind of frequent use.

As so with eating frequently at McDonalds. Probably more so. So, should we also ban ALL junk food? We're all going to die, just a matter of when and how. Some take the quick route- blowing their brains out. Others do it slow- eating crap.
Now, it could be argued that pot MIGHT contribute to obesity.  :lol:

...It has to do with the effect of the drug on the brain and the wearing out of the neurons that one needs to feel content and at ease.

Wearing out the neurons?  :lol: What research proved this?

...It also, without a doubt, eats up memory.

What a crock of shit. What research proved this or even indicated it?

...Then their are the respiratory problems and the adverse effect on the immune system.

The only somewhat rational, possibly consequence you listed. Again, I think it is vastly more benign than eating the Standard American Diet.
Do christians have a moral position on McDonald's?

[Anonymous]

yeah, well they wouldn't let me register.  I tried and I guess they didn't like my email address, or something, casue I couldn't become a member of their "christian" group.

[BuzzKill]

The neuron thing is real; I didn't pull that out of thin air. If your really interested, you can probably find the articles and studies yourself.
Might try looking up a documentary, Mary Jane grows up. . . That is ringing a bell and *might* be where they went over this.  I really don't recall. But I do think it was TV and not a book or magazine - as I recall the animation they used to illustrate the overworked and dead neurons and the resulting lack of ability of the brain to use the neurotransmitters needed for contentment and happiness. Might have been something on TLC . . . Just can't remember.

So is memory loss; or rather the loss of ability to remember, a fact of life for the regular user.
I didn't think this was even disputable. It seems like common knowledge to me.

As for McDs - I agree its also bad for people - but as it IS legal - it lacks the consequences of the bust. Personally, I abstain - but I do eat to much taco bell.

And I am sure, Some Christians would say its a sin to eat fast food. Others would disagree.

That's just the way it is.

Christian Board?
//yeah, well they wouldn't let me register. I tried and I guess they didn't like my email address, or something, casue I couldn't become a member of their "Christian" group.//

What board are you talking about? I was referring to Zola's board; tho I didn't name it. Anyone can register and many aren't Christian; tho those who aren't Christian tend to be Jewish. It is moderated and if you go trolling they will boot you - but plenty of debate takes place.
If your email address is raising red flags, maybe you ought to re-think it?[ This Message was edited by: BuzzKill on 2004-10-22 07:48 ]

[kpickle39]

My email address is a aol account.  Wasn't there a link to the site at one time on this post?  Or am I just cooked?

[Antigen]

Just like the psyche drugs available by prescription and the "non nutritive sweeteners" listed on the label of your favorite diet drink, the 'science' released by our government on marijuana has been radically influenced by politicians, lobbyists and other assorted shady characters.  

And, just as with those other substances, people are starting to question that bunk and get down to the truth.

Here's a pretty interesting read on the toxicity of Cannabis:

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/70/80972.htm

"This is merely confirming what was known over 100 years ago, as well as what was learned by various government findings doing similar research -- marijuana is not toxic, but it is a highly effective medicine."

Here's a Federal report that every American should read at least once. It's a review of available research which cost us about a million dollars to produce. Since it didn't support the ONDCP's (drug czar and former SOCOM commander, Gen. Barry McCaffrey) hard line on MMJ, the federal government round filled the report. They even tried forcing people to remove copies from their websites. That, of course, backfired, causing a prolliferation of copies all over the world, well beyond the legal reach of General McCzar.

http://books.nap.edu/html/marimed/ch4.html

About halfway down this page is the start of findings on mj's affects on neurology.

On cannabis and the immune system:

http://www.lycaeum.org/drugwar/marijim.html

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fairly large literature that developed during the past 15 years or so, the effect of cannabinoids on the immune system is still unsettled. The evidence has been contradictory and is more supportive of some degree of immunosuppression only when one considers in vitro studies. These have been seriously flawed by the very high concentrations of drug used to produce immunosuppression and by the lack of comparisons with other membrane-active drugs. The closer that experimental studies have been to actual clinical situations, the less compelling has been the evidence.

Although the topic was of great interest during the 1970s, as indicated by the preponderance of references from that period, interest has waned during the present decade. This waning of interest suggests that perhaps most investigators feel that this line of inquiry will not be rewarding. the AIDS epidemic has also diverted the attention of the immunologists to the far more serious problem of the truly devastating effects a retrovirus can have on a portion of the immune system.

The relationship between the use of social drugs and the development of clinical manifestations of AIDS has been of some interest, however. Persons infected with the virus but not diagnosed as AIDS have been told to avoid the use of marijuana and/or alcohol. This advice may be reasonable as a general health measure, but direct evidence that heeding this warning will prevent the ultimate damage to the immune system is totally lacking.

Finally, our government and others have spent many years and truckloads of money trying to prove that cannabis is just as evil and dangerous as they've led us to believe. If there were some smoking gun research proving their theories, they'd be hawking copies all over the place. The fact is that, despite their best efforts, no such properly done, peer reviewed study exists.

While no herb or substance is 100% safe for everyone under all circumstances, this stuff is safer that potatos, tylenol, asprin or coffee.

"Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care."
Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young, DOJ/DEA
http://www.medmjscience.org/Pages/reports/jyp1.bhtml

It is fear that first brought Gods into the world.
--Gallus Petronius, 1st Century Roman courtier

[BuzzKill]

Well Ginger, I do hope it IS as safe as all that, because I lived for years in a more or less constant haze of pot smoke.
And now there is my kid also living in a hemp fog.
So, I hope it is safe and benign.
Much about what I have mentioned makes sense to me tho - and I do believe, for the average regular user,  there is a price to pay health wise for the high times.
Even so, I support de-criminalization of cannabis. If it is harmful, it is certainly no more so than tobacco or alcohol or as someone mentioned, a diet heavy on fast food.
Locking people up; kicking them out of school;firing a dependable employee, for smoking pot, is ridicules; And far more damaging than the drug itself could ever be.

kpickle39
//My email address is a aol account. Wasn't there a link to the site at one time on this post? Or am I just cooked?//

Not on this post; but I have linked to it a couple times elsewhere. Are you saying the Zola board wouldn't let you register? If so, I feel sure it was a glitch. Its an open board - all are welcome - you just won't be allowed to troll or flame with abandon. They make the point it is a family board and so you have to keep that in mind when posting and not use any of Carlin's seven words and they strongly discourage attacking individuals - but it happens.
If you want to post, try again.
http://www.levitt.com/

[Anonymous]

bbbbuuuuuummmmmmmmmmpppppppppppppppp ah yes, some good good grasssssssssssssssssssssss

[Carmel]

I always like to point out that, in reality.....when it comes to MJ....its important to separate the drug from the term"drug abuse".

If you smoke all day, there are obviously going to be consequences that manifest in many ways other than your physical health.  Just as if you were to pop 15 Darvocet a day, which happens to be a perfectly legal drug.

Its not the drug that causes the addictive behaviour.  The root issues must be addressed.  What is driving me to drink? What is driving me to smoke? What am I running from?  Drugs themselves are not the cause of doing drugs, make sense?  And if it wasnt drugs, it would be sex, or alcohol, or food, or religion......think about it.

In my opinion, physical harm or lack thereof doesnt even factor into the big picture when you look at how many destructive substances our government and society deems "benign" to begin with.  

I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being first and foremost, and as such I am for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole

--Malcolm X

[Anonymous]

Carmel - YES!  Addiction doesn't always mean pills, alcohol!  

Avoiding the underlying causes can take many other forms: perfection, power, being a victim, sleeping, revenge, being right, being nice, being helpful, talking, sports, working, shopping, envy, politics, pointing out faults, coffee, gambling, money, winning, reading, exercise, nicotine.  Are some "healthy" addictions? In moderation, are some considered dangerous? There are good habits and bad habits.  Is it the obession that makes it unhealthy, consuming every minute of every day for the "fix?"  

Talking to your kids about drugs doesn't work.  Getting comfortable with talking with your kids about the underlying causes take education and practice and brings them to the surface so they can deal with the driving force.  

As an example, I was addicted to exercise.  I was at the gym 7 nights a week for 3-4 hours.  The underlying cause?  To avoid being around my now ex-husband.  Would the outcome of our marriage been any different had I been conscious of avoiding conversations that were uncomfortable?  

Would there be less need for Programs if parents talked about the behavior driving the destructive behaviors the whole family enables?

[Anonymous]

Well, given the definition of addicted:

to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively

...would you say that you were addicted to the gym, or could it be that the real addiction (habitual pattern) was avoiding uncomfortable interaction with your spouse.

I think the later. The gym was just a refuge- and provided a reasonable/good/acceptable excuse for not being home. You could have been participating in a variety of activities every evening (movies, shopping, dinner with friends, working late, etc) but a variety of activities may not have been considered reasonable or good- your agenda might have been more obvious. And in that case, you wouldn't say you were addicted to shopping, eating out, seeing movies, working late.

I just think the word 'addicted' is way over used and terribly misused. But, I appreciate your point, that there is always an underlying issue when people are involved in destructive behaviors. I wouldn't even talk to the person, in terms of their 'addition'. I'd just go for the underlying unhappiness or discomfort.

[Anonymous]

Great.  You got it!  Yes, The gym was the place to avoid - instead of drinking or getting high -

I was addicted to the behavior.  And yes, the "why" was to avoid confrontations.  I also believe the gym was and even deeper belief that I was fat and unworthy of a healthy relationship.  I could have just as easily gone to night classes to avoid coming home had I been in a healthier frame of mind.  

My underlying belief was feeling bad about myself.

Parents -  drugs, cutting, anger, etc. are cries for love or acceptance.  Find out what the underlying force that's driving the behavior - That's part of becoming a "better parent."

This might be a great book to help get started: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0967050 ... eader-link

[Anonymous]

Sorry. wrong link - It's called "The Right Questions" by Debbie Ford.  Goes indepth about finding the underlying "commitments"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0060086 ... eader-page

[Anonymous]

On 2004-10-19 19:16:00, Anonymous wrote:

Tell me what Salvia Divinorum, Khat and Yaba are.    You've heard about Ecstacy, but can you tell me more about it?  What about MDMA? DXM? GHB?  



What do you have in your home that can be used to get high?  Keyboard cleaner, rubber cement, butane, degreasers?  Not "new" but is being used more now than ever.



What about Ketamine?  Being around animals, you may have this in your barn?

[Scarstruck]

On 2004-10-17 19:07:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Given a choice between pharmaceutical meds,street drugs, marijuana or behavior modification, I would choose behavior modification.  It does work for those who choose to.  Smoking weed is the easy way out.  I talk with my kids about drugs, been to a head shop, and I'm aware of what's out there.  I chose to become educated.  It's a much different thing than when I was a teen.  



I agree in the medical uses for marijuana - cancer pain, glaucoma, but not for ADD.

 
Hey son, lets go smoke some weed together so you can get an A in Science this week and I can get some housework done........ "

...there are piles and piles of evidence that prove behavior mod does not work, and in fact causes more harm than good.
 Behavior mod programs cause more suicides and mental problems than marijuana ever could.