Ignorance about cannabis

[norwaysaint]

This was an interesting read:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18283689

 

I used to indulge when I was younger and I have to admit that I was typical of those far too eager to believe everything positive or at least that downplayed the negative sides.

 

I'm not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to do it, but people should be aware of what the risks really are when they make their choices. There's always been a bit of an attitude of wanting to believe it's completely harmless, especially in comparison to other drugs.

 

Especially interesting to see the comparative carcinogenic effects of a joint and a cigarette, one joint being equivalent to 20 cigarettes. Four times as much tar, five times as much carbon monoxide. This is all before you even look at the mental health issues.

 

Anyone else want to admit to indulging or having indulged while being woefully misinformed about how harmful it can be?

[TopGun]

I too used to indulge from time to time. I view it a bit differently now having seen a few people who definitely have mental issues that are connected to cannabis use.

 

I also have a problem with dealers of any type unscrupulously getting kids into drugs.

[jjsaint]

The THC content of cannabis continues to increase. So the stuff my mother smoked was nowhere near as strong as the stuff I smoked, ad infinitum.

 

I don't indulge in drugs now and haven't for about 15 years. Well, expect for alcohol which of course is a drug, but I feel comfortable treating this differently because society treats it differently.

[buctootim]

The THC content of cannabis continues to increase. So the stuff my mother smoked was nowhere near as strong as the stuff I smoked, ad infinitum.

 

 

Thats the real problem imo. Relatively harmless and mild weed have been selectively bred into mindbending heavy duty stuff.

[ART]

A new ecologist government minister of the new Hollande regime announced on TV last night here in France, that, although not current government policy, she fully approves legalising cannabis in France. It has caused a huge ripple of condemnation from her colleagues and embarrassed Hollande immensely,

[Ken Tone]

Thats the real problem imo. Relatively harmless and mild weed have been selectively bred into mindbending heavy duty stuff.

 

 

Well yes and no IMO. I'm ancient, yet I remember when I was young, in the late 60's and early 70's, that you could tell a 'dopehead'. Even in those days frequent, habitual use caused personality changes that were clear to others. Though no doubt certain personality types are more likely to become dopeheads.

 

There's long been a common misbelief that it was less likely to cause cancer than smoking tobacco, when the opposite is true.

 

The problem nowadays is that some parents who grew up believing it was harmless, still believe that, and turn a blind eye to their kids smoking cannabis. At least in my young days, typical parents thought all drugs were the work of the devil!

[Whitey Grandad]

I have never put anything into my lungs and I never shall. It is obviously such a stupid thing to do.

[norwaysaint]

Thats the real problem imo. Relatively harmless and mild weed have been selectively bred into mindbending heavy duty stuff.

 

The fact that you still post that, assuming you have read the article, shows the depth of the problem there. The article argues that you are wrong and that it was never relatively harmless, not based on the psychological effects, but the physical health risks, yet even after reading it, you still call it relatively harmless. It never was. That's the misconception. The whole increased THC thing is another issue in itself.

[swannymere]

Speaking to some younger friends they smoke to get completely wasted and have no concept of smoking to get chilled, the weed they smoke is a completely different drug from what i smoked in my teenage years, it's so much stronger.

[Lighthouse]

A new ecologist government minister of the new Hollande regime announced on TV last night here in France, that, although not current government policy, she fully approves legalising cannabis in France. It has caused a huge ripple of condemnation from her colleagues and embarrassed Hollande immensely,

 

She is right.

[Turkish]

I too used to indulge from time to time. I view it a bit differently now having seen a few people who definitely have mental issues that are connected to cannabis use.

 

I also have a problem with dealers of any type unscrupulously getting kids into drugs.

 

Do dealers get kids into drugs or do kids get themselves into drugs?

[buctootim]

The fact that you still post that, assuming you have read the article, shows the depth of the problem there. The article argues that you are wrong and that it was never relatively harmless, not based on the psychological effects, but the physical health risks, yet even after reading it, you still call it relatively harmless. It never was. That's the misconception. The whole increased THC thing is another issue in itself.

 

Not really. Whilst the level of tar and carbon monoxide might be four times higher in a spliff than a cigarette its still far less harmful to smoke a couple of joints on a Saturday night than 20 fags a day every day. Obviously if you are smokingh both regularly then you have a serious health problem.

[capitalsaint]

Or do drugs get themselves into kids?

[mack rill]

Hmmmm cos the government of the day cant Tax it its the muver of all evils, Perhaps some c**t in the know could stick one of them graphy type thing's up showing how the death rate from weeeed far out-seeds smokies and booze,

[dune]

As with anything, moderation is key.

[Wade Garrett]

I've never touched the horrible stuff, but I have seen a couple of old mates develop mental problems because of overuse that has really ruined their lives.

[Saint_Donovan]

I've never touched the horrible stuff, but I have seen a couple of old mates develop mental problems because of overuse that has really ruined their lives.

 

It wasn't the weed that ruined their lives, it was them!!! They are obviously losers that would have had their lives ruined by alcohol/gambling/prescription drugs, it just so happens that weed got there first!!

[mack rill]

It wasn't the weed that ruined their lives, it was them!!! They are obviously losers that would have had their lives ruined by alcohol/gambling/prescription drugs, it just so happens that weed got there first!!

 

Or did it? Bets it was the combination of all three.

[Saint_Donovan]

Legalisation is the key.

 

Once legalised it can be controlled the same way as fags and alcohol, this is the only way to control strength and quality (lots of cheap weed is sprayed with glass)

 

This is the only way to stop our kids using it, I bet if you ask any 13/14 year old where to get weed they will know but if it's age restricted the black market will die and under 18s wont be able to come across it so freely

[Jonnyboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxrljsaGrqc

[Saint_Donovan]

Or did it? Bets it was the combination of all three.

 

Quite possibly!! I just get ******ed off at people blaming a substance or 3rd party on their poor choices on life.

 

"it's the Judges fault I went to prison, he didn't like me and made an example of me"

 

But it's your fault you were in front on the judge!!

[dune]

Legalisation is the key.

 

Once legalised it can be controlled the same way as fags and alcohol, this is the only way to control strength and quality (lots of cheap weed is sprayed with glass)

 

This is the only way to stop our kids using it, I bet if you ask any 13/14 year old where to get weed they will know but if it's age restricted the black market will die and under 18s wont be able to come across it so freely

 

That's nonsense. If it's legalised you'll let the genie out of the bottle and the problem will explode. People who want to get wasted will get wasted regardless of limits, and if legal draw is weak they'll just cane a lot more or buy decent stuff from dealers.

 

Education is the key. Schools really do need to get with it and bring in people who know what they are talking about i.e those who have been there, to give frank and honest talks. It is just as important as academic subjects IMO.

[Turkish]

It wasn't the weed that ruined their lives, it was them!!! They are obviously losers that would have had their lives ruined by alcohol/gambling/prescription drugs, it just so happens that weed got there first!!

 

Exactly. I've met a lot of drug takers in my time, of everything just from a casual bit of puff and Charlie right through to a full blown skaghead. Not one of them was forced into it.

[Saint_Donovan]

This was an interesting read:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18283689

 

I used to indulge when I was younger and I have to admit that I was typical of those far too eager to believe everything positive or at least that downplayed the negative sides.

 

I'm not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to do it, but people should be aware of what the risks really are when they make their choices. There's always been a bit of an attitude of wanting to believe it's completely harmless, especially in comparison to other drugs.

 

Especially interesting to see the comparative carcinogenic effects of a joint and a cigarette, one joint being equivalent to 20 cigarettes. Four times as much tar, five times as much carbon monoxide. This is all before you even look at the mental health issues.

 

Anyone else want to admit to indulging or having indulged while being woefully misinformed about how harmful it can be?

 

How about how misinformed people are about cigarettes? And the hundreds of chemicals within the tobaco?

 

These figures you quote would be accurate if you smoke a Joint FULL of weed (no tobacco) but we all that is not what happens. Just a sprinkle is used so those figures are extremely misleading.

 

There are also lots of non harmful ways to consume marijuana, through edibles and vaporisers for example.

 

The Majority of negative information floating around is scare mongering by the naive and ill informed, and the truth of the matter is that the drug is hugely beneficial to thousands of sick people around the world and can replace a list as long as your arm of prescription medicines that are even more harmful and carry much worse side effects which go ignored because a Dr prescribed them to you!!

 

Marijuana is legal in various states in the US (LA for example) and DOCTORS!!!' that's right not backstreet drug deals but DOCTORS are writing thousands of prescriptions everyday, can you imagine your GP prescribing you alcohol, coffee or Fags? I don't think so.

 

Marijuana shouldn't be thought of as a substance to be abused by low lives, chavs and spotty teens but as a control medicine.

 

Remember, legalisation doesn't mean it's free for every Tom, **** and Harry to use and it doesn't mean you should buy it over the counter at your local tesco express, it just means the people who need it or who are responsible enough not to abuse it should have that option.

[Saint_Donovan]

That's nonsense. If it's legalised you'll let the genie out of the bottle and the problem will explode. People who want to get wasted will get wasted regardless of limits, and if legal draw is weak they'll just cane a lot more or buy decent stuff from dealers.

 

Education is the key. Schools really do need to get with it and bring in people who know what they are talking about i.e those who have been there, to give frank and honest talks. It is just as important as academic subjects IMO.

 

Then by that notion should we ban fags and booze?

[SNSUN]

I tried it a few times as a youngster and it made me paranoid and sleepy. It did not agree with me, so I stopped doing it.

 

Now I'm in a job with a zero tolerance drugs and alcohol rule. That means I cannot start a shift with anything at all in my system. Now I can control the alcohol, that's up to me, but it's very easy to have traces of cannabis in my system if I have been around people that smoke it, and it's on the rise in public.

 

If it gets legalised, more people would do it in public and I'd have to be very careful where I go or what I do. I'd not look forward to that. Plus it stinks.

[Saint_Donovan]

I should just probably clarify that im not a "stoner" and only use it once every couple of few months, and i didnt start until i was 27!!

 

I just get really annoyed that so many substances are far more harmful to society and yet accepted by the masses and marijuana has adopted this "demon" tag and grouped in with hard drugs when its a very useful plant

[dune]

Then by that notion should we ban fags and booze?

 

Alcohol would never in a million years be legal if it was a new discovery. The same with tobacco.

[Saint_Donovan]

is marijuana a new discovery?

[dune]

marijuana has adopted this "demon" tag and grouped in with hard drugs

 

It is a hard drug.

[dune]

is marijuana a new discovery?

 

In British cultural terms it is.

[swannymere]

Education is the key. Schools really do need to get with it and bring in people who know what they are talking about i.e those who have been there, to give frank and honest talks. It is just as important as academic subjects IMO.

 

I think you'll find that 99% of schools already do this.

[Saint_Donovan]

Hahaha thats hilarious!!! is coffee a hard drug too? are fags hard drugs?

[dune]

Hahaha thats hilarious!!! is coffee a hard drug too? are fags hard drugs?

 

You've just confirmed what I suspected i.e you really don't know what you're on about, but that's not really surprising as you don't smoke the sh/t aside from a couple of spliffs once in a bluemoon. Just like clueless MP's that are pro legalisation after a few drags whilst at Uni.

[Saint_Donovan]

Dune, you are a product of misinformation.

 

Have you based your opinion on researching both sides of the argument? my guess is no, Do you believe what the nice men in suits on the TV tell you? my guess is yes!!

 

People with an agenda tell lies and spread untruths, if it happens on a micro level (work mates, friends, people down the pub gossiping etc) then you can expect it to happen on the macro level (government and authoritative figures)

 

If you dont like marijuana thats fine, thats your choice of course and nobody is going to force feed you but at least have an educated opinion.

[Saint_Donovan]

You've just confirmed what I suspected i.e you really don't know what you're on about, but that's not really surprising as you don't smoke the sh/t aside from a couple of spliffs once in a bluemoon. Just like clueless MP's that are pro legalisation after a few drags whilst at Uni.

 

I'm confused, what part of that sentence led you to think i dont know what im talking about?

 

Id love to hear you reasons as to why it IS a hard drug!!

[dune]

I'm confused, what part of that sentence led you to think i dont know what im talking about?

 

Id love to hear you reasons as to why it IS a hard drug!!

 

Can't be bothered any more. There's no point because you have your view. Maybe one day you'll change your tune.

[Saint_Donovan]

Can't be bothered any more. There's no point because you have your view. Maybe one day you'll change your tune.

 

or maybe one day you'll adopt an educated opinion!!!

 

Good night

[Saintandy666]

Prohibition helps nothing. It just forces the 'industry' into dogey hands who cut the cannabis with god knows what, and it leads to these high THC cannabis variants being created. Statistics show that problematic drug use as a whole and health issues to do with drugs go down after prohibition is ended. I really do think this is something where the current policy needs to be reconsidered, and a regulated market introduced. Regulated decriminalisation, not legalisation.

 

This survey doesn't change any of the well thought out arguments from people who are very well educated and knowing in this field who support decriminalisation who do know the risks in full and have surveyed the whole picture to come up with a balanced non-kneejerk solution.

Edited 6 June, 2012 by Saintandy666

[aintforever]

Thats the real problem imo. Relatively harmless and mild weed have been selectively bred into mindbending heavy duty stuff.

 

Surely the more powerful the better because you don't have to smoke as much?

 

I never used to like weed because smoking too much makes me want to puke, with some decent skunk a couple of tokes and you're sorted.

[Special K]

Most of the fellas i know who smoke weed a lot are wasters and scroungers. Some are nice lads, but still wasters. Goes hand in hand with some outdated hippy based opting out sh!t which went out of fashion ages ago.

 

Couldn't give a toss if it's decriminalised or not as i don't smoke it.

[Turkish]

Prohibition helps nothing. It just forces the 'industry' into dogey hands who cut the cannabis with god knows what, and it leads to these high THC cannabis variants being created. Statistics show that problematic drug use as a whole and health issues to do with drugs go down after prohibition. I really do think this is something where the current policy needs to be reconsidered, and a regulated market introduced. Regulated decriminalisation, not legalisation.

 

This survey doesn't change any of the well thought out arguments from people who are very well educated and knowing in this field who support decriminalisation who do know the risks in full and have surveyed the whole picture to come up with a balanced non-kneejerk solution.

 

Have you ever had a joint Andy?

[Whitey Grandad]

It's simple really. If it messes up your head it must be doing some damage. Der.

[dune]

It's simple really. If it messes up your head it must be doing some damage. Der.

 

It might help Verbal and Greenridge then.

[Saintandy666]

For every study saying it increases the risk of lung cancer, there's more saying there are no adverse affects at all. This is a much bigger study than the one for the BLF, 5000 people vs Under 80. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060526083353.htm

 

I think the main thing we want is decreased problematic drug use, and prohibition appears to deliver that elsewhere as well as other added benefits like reduced flow of cash to criminal gangs.

[Barney Trubble]

"You know why people give kids drugs? So they can control their minds. 'Cause they're ****ing weak-minded themselves"

[dune]

Prohibition helps nothing.

 

Statistics show that problematic drug use as a whole and health issues to do with drugs go down after prohibition.

 

[Saintandy666]

 

[Jonnyboy]

 

 

 

Now this some baaaaad weed.

[ericb]

Done most things going in my time to be honest with you, with the exception of the big two, and have seen friends suffer the consequences (one dead, many commited/with mental health issues).

 

Now if it came to a child of mine i'd be pretty fu.cking angry if they did it, hypocritical? Maybe, but also i know the dangers. I had fun, i got lucky. There are plenty that don't.

 

But....

 

I actually would support legalisation of a sort, maybe decriminalisation is a better term. Certainly when you look at other places it's been tried the statistics seem to back up that drug use goes down, and with the harder drugs legalising them and having the available on prescription from doctors for free definitely drops crime levels.

 

With this in mind though i also actually agree with Dune that the most important thing is education in schools, and i'd get alcohol under this bracket too (something i've done much more damage to myself with down the years).

 

Also if we're ever to do anything about stopping people from destroying their bodies we could do far better than to glamourise those that kill themselves or over indulge in popular music/culture.

 

And then for one last contradiction... I really do think that it's not really the place for the government to tell us what to do, so long as we understand the implications and are willing to take the risks; so long as we're not harming others in the process, it should really be our own choice and we should live (or die) with the consequences.

 

At the time i did i had a shi.tload of fun, i saw the world in ways i never would of otherwise and i made some great friends and had some incredible nights, if this lifestyle catches up with me one day i won't be looking for sympathy. I made my bed and i'll lie in it, since ultimately you're the only responsible for your actions.