marijuana good or bad?

[casabaka]

More and more states are thinking about legalizing pot. Is it a good or bad thing?
A lot of my friends smoke weed. But not me. I don't drink and I don't smoke pot.
IMO legalizing pot will create a nation full of addicts, and pockets full of cash for corrupt politicians. just sayin'

What are your thoughts? :what:

[ECSTASY]

Whatever you you do , drinking or smoking pot is not good for your body and your brain . I personally drink but i dont like smoking pot . I guess if you smoke pot regularly , that might damage your brain too bad . If youre going to try something such as pot , make sure that youll be able to control yourself so you wont get mentally addicted to it

[Babs]

Since the war on drugs started, the addiction rate has stayed pretty much the same.

People are going to smoke weed regardless of whether or not it's illegal. It's incredibly easy to get, and not that expensive. So may as well quit wasting the tax payer's money throwing a shitload of stoners in prison when the worst thing they did was get cheetos crumbs on the floor.

Weed isn't that bad for you anyway. Sure, it's not great for you, but so are a lot of legal things. If weed was legal, regulated, and taxed, the politicians wouldn't be sitting on a pile of money as they laughed at the dope smokers beg for one more hit. What would actually happen is that weed would be legal, regulated, and taxed.

how would politicians get any sort of monetary gain from weed being legal anyway

[phuckphace]

for one it's not addictive. I stopped smoking a few weeks ago so I can find a new job, and the "withdrawals" basically amount to "darn, no weed" and then life goes on

a small percentage of users can become psychologically addicted to it, in the same way that some people are psychologically addicted to the endorphin rush obtained from eating junk food. ain't my bitch tho

I like weed precisely because its overall risks are very low compared to other drugs, and most importantly it's not going to kill or even seriously injure you even in large amounts. this is part of the reason that legal marijuana is now a thing - do you think there's ever going to be legal heroin or cocaine? (no)

[ImCoolBeans]

I think this thread is more so about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana than it is about help and advice.

Alcohol, Drugs and Meds :arrow: ROTW

[james wolf]

Weed is bad, but probably one of the safest drugs - especially if it's not smoked.

Furthermore, like people have said we are wasting loads of money on the war on drugs with few results. It would be much saner to regulate weed and tax it - that way the drug will be safer, and the government will have more money to spend on the poor and needy.

[Porpoise101]

I believe that it should not be legalized. While since above have stated that it is non addictive, that is actually incorrect and can be addictive with overstimulation. Young adults and teens are who the weed industry markets to and these are people who may or may not be able to have restraint.

This brings me to the second reason. Even though the current distributors are criminals, they are at least treated as such. With it legalized, we will have a highly restrictive and regulated market, leading to the creation of oligopolies or worse monopolies. You can see this with airlines today. This is what I'm more afraid of. In the past, we had one such business called Philip Morris International. Only because of a global effort to neuter them, were they stopped. Now I fear those days will happen again, where harmful drug manufacturers dictate public health policy.

While business could bring in tax revenues, the issue is that we are on the cusp of curing addiction. It's only 30 years away at most. People with addiction don't like it, and by then our generation who would then have an addiction would be using Medicaid to cover the expenses. So in this hypothetical future, we get a short term gain (tax) for a longer term loss (drug expenses and a corporate monster).

So why even legalize it. When the cure is out, the war on drugs will end anyway with the best outcome; a lack of demand instead of restricting supply.

[phuckphace]

I really don't see the point in wringing hands over weed "addiction". even if large numbers of people become hooked on it, it doesn't cause violent behavior like the harder drugs do and isn't going to send large numbers of people to the ER or morgue from overdoses.

there's already a vastly more dysfunctional drug that's been legal for decades: porn. I'd say we need to focus on banning and suppressing that first.

[Porpoise101]

I really don't see the point in wringing hands over weed "addiction". even if large numbers of people become hooked on it, it doesn't cause violent behavior like the harder drugs do and isn't going to send large numbers of people to the ER or morgue from overdoses.

there's already a vastly more dysfunctional drug that's been legal for decades: porn. I'd say we need to focus on banning and suppressing that first.
I think they are both bad. The difference is that one industry is budding and the other is well established. Both cause social dysfunction.

[phuckphace]

I think they are both bad. The difference is that one industry is budding and the other is well established. Both cause social dysfunction.

"budding" - lololol I see what you did there

I disagree with the last bit but at the same time I don't want to drag out a long "muh weed" debate because again it's not something I care about all that much

[Judean Zealot]

I'm for it's legalisation, for the sole reason that the government would be able to control what substances go into joints. No more lacing joints with arsenic.

[phuckphace]

I'm for it's legalisation, for the sole reason that the government would be able to control what substances go into joints. No more lacing joints with arsenic.

here in Murika one of the biggest risks of smoking mystery dirtweed is that most of it comes from Mexico and Central America where it's often grown in contaminated soil (cadmium, lead, arsenic, etc. etc. etc.) I think that explains a lot of the "dopiness" you see in those hardcore potheads, especially the ones who started toking before puberty

I tried smoking that cheap shit a few times and it always gave me a tinge of nausea and a headache. no thanks yo

[Miserabilia]

here in Murika one of the biggest risks of smoking mystery dirtweed is that most of it comes from Mexico and Central America where it's often grown in contaminated soil (cadmium, lead, arsenic, etc. etc. etc.) I think that explains a lot of the "dopiness" you see in those hardcore potheads, especially the ones who started toking before puberty

I tried smoking that cheap shit a few times and it always gave me a tinge of nausea and a headache. no thanks yo

Jesus that sounds awful. Yeah in that case I can imagine keeping it away from teens and yourself.

I guess I"m a little biased in that way because there's no bad pot here, I can't imagine why it would give you dopiness or headaches, don't think it could be the plant itself maybe something added to it.
Gross.

As for legalisation, I say yes, it allows for more safety regulation and generaly pretty much only has upsides.

[mattsmith48]

its safer then any Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, Sugar, Salt Fat and anything you can find in a fast food

[Sir Suomi]

It's most certainly not good for you. If you're an athlete, or someone who's needs to stay in top physical shape, it'll prove to be detrimental to you. And there are negative short term effects that come from using it, such as sudden changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, and impaired memory. Long term wise, it's been shown that it possibly can hinder brain developing in younger users, i;e teens.

However, I think if you're a dude in college that wants to get high, albeit without operating a motor vehicle, I think it should be perfectly legal to posses and use.

[Microcosm]

Jailing people for weed is a huge waste of time and money. Logically, though, it makes sense to say that weed should be illegal, but not to the point of jailing people. Perhaps a fine.

I would absolutely not support the usage of marijuana on a consistent basis. I have a friend who uses it and he says it makes him not really care about anything. That's not good. However, I suppose that, with certain obvious regulations on usage in public areas and such, it should be legalized. Here's a couple of reasons why:

It is possible to personally regulate one's use of marijuana to a point where it has little other effects than just a short high. It doesn't always have to make you not care about anything.
People are going to use it on a massive scale whether it is legal or not.
Jailing people for pot as our current system does in most states is a waste of time, resources, and money as the punishment clearly doesn't befit the crime(in most cases of recreational use).


People being high at work should be accompanied by a fine. People being high in public areas should be a fine(Hell, I think being drunk in public areas should be a fine). That behavior should not come into contact with the eyes of children and other impressionable pedestrians. It seems to be popular in the U.S. to consider marijuana a "cool" drug that everyone should try or use on a regular basis that's "totally okay," but it's not for obvious reasons.

[phuckphace]

Jesus that sounds awful. Yeah in that case I can imagine keeping it away from teens and yourself.

I guess I"m a little biased in that way because there's no bad pot here, I can't imagine why it would give you dopiness or headaches, don't think it could be the plant itself maybe something added to it.
Gross.

yes that's what I meant - the plant itself only becomes toxic when it's grown in unsafe conditions, much like how you can lose your kidneys to botulin poisoning if you eat contaminated spinach (has happened).

unfortunately in murika it's the case that marijuana laws are a convenient way to catch and imprison more """youths""" who are prone to committing violent crime, so unless I'm dictator I can see cannabis legalization having the unplanned side effect of making crime rates go up.

[Human]

I believe that it should not be legalized. While since above have stated that it is non addictive, that is actually incorrect and can be addictive with overstimulation. Young adults and teens are who the weed industry markets to and these are people who may or may not be able to have restraint.

This brings me to the second reason. Even though the current distributors are criminals, they are at least treated as such. With it legalized, we will have a highly restrictive and regulated market, leading to the creation of oligopolies or worse monopolies. You can see this with airlines today. This is what I'm more afraid of. In the past, we had one such business called Philip Morris International. Only because of a global effort to neuter them, were they stopped. Now I fear those days will happen again, where harmful drug manufacturers dictate public health policy.

While business could bring in tax revenues, the issue is that we are on the cusp of curing addiction. It's only 30 years away at most. People with addiction don't like it, and by then our generation who would then have an addiction would be using Medicaid to cover the expenses. So in this hypothetical future, we get a short term gain (tax) for a longer term loss (drug expenses and a corporate monster).

So why even legalize it. When the cure is out, the war on drugs will end anyway with the best outcome; a lack of demand instead of restricting supply.

By your logic we should also make everything addictive illegal, let's make sugar, tobacco, alcohol, caffeine illegal too...

[Microcosm]

unfortunately in murika it's the case that marijuana laws are a convenient way to catch and imprison more """youths""" who are prone to committing violent crime, so unless I'm dictator I can see cannabis legalization having the unplanned side effect of making crime rates go up.

Luckily, we can see if this prediction is true by looking at the situation in Colorado after they legalized weed:

Source: http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Colorado_Marijuana_Legalization_One_Year_Status_Report.pdf

[Note: Recreational Marijuana was legalized in Colorado on Jan. 1, 2014.]

Decrease in Crime Rates

According to data released by the city of Denver, violent crime and property crime in Denver decreased in 2014.i Violent crime in Denver went down by 2.2% in the first 11 months of 2014, compared with the first 11 months of 2013. In the same period, burglaries in Denver decreased by 9.5% and overall property crime decreased by 8.9%.

I'm not sure why crime rates dropped. Maybe the weed just made people more mellow?

[phuckphace]

even Sarah Palin agrees that arresting people for dank shouldn't be a high priority for the popo. if a literal theocratic bigot says this, you know it's probably true

[phuckphace]

I'm not sure why crime rates dropped. Maybe the weed just made people more mellow?

1. legalization occurs
2. everyone wants to move there
3. property values and taxes increase due to demand
4. only white people can now afford to live in CO
5. crime rates go down due to same

that'd be my guess. but then again I was referring to full-bore legalization in all fiddy states.

[Microcosm]

1. legalization occurs
2. everyone wants to move there
3. property values and taxes increase due to demand
4. only white people can now afford to live in CO
5. crime rates go down due to same

I don't think any mass migration happened in Colorado in the year 2014 that was so massive that it caused crime rates to drop so much. That doesn't seem likely that that's the cause.


that'd be my guess. but then again I was referring to full-bore legalization in all fiddy states.

I think we can get a good idea as to the effects though by having a sort of "test state." Colorado works well.

Although I agree that there are different states and areas of the country that would have varying effects, Colorado represents how most states would probably go about legalizing weed.

[phuckphace]

I don't think any mass migration happened in Colorado in the year 2014 that was so massive that it caused crime rates to drop so much. That doesn't seem likely that that's the cause.

it needn't be a "mass" migration, after all the statistics report a ~10% reduction which isn't that significant. I'm sure there are other factors but the gentrification angle is interesting. anecdotally I can confirm from friends who visit CO to buy dank that property values and rent have jumped considerably since legalization.

I agree though that we'll probably have to wait a couple more years for the census to update. Denver could definitely use some gentrification though.

I think we can get a good idea as to the effects though by having a sort of "test state." Colorado works well.

Although I agree that there are different states and areas of the country that would have varying effects, Colorado represents how most states would probably go about legalizing weed.

I think it's probably fine on a local level for the reasons I gave above. nationwide would be a different story, but also dependent on whether or not we retroactively pardon "youths" who are in jail for weed. these are people who will happily murder each other over a sack of weed amounting to $40. if they do that, what else will they do?

[Vlerchan]

If crime is falling the likelihood is that this is having a positive (upwards) effect on housing prices.

Denvers housing prices took off earlier than 2014. From here (http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/11/daily-chart-0).

Here's also the full 2013 - 2014 crime statistics (https://www.denvergov.org/Portals/720/documents/statistics/2014/Citywide_Reported_Offenses_2014.pdf). Make what you will of them.

---

I should also add that the homicide rate hit a 9 year high (http://extras.denverpost.com/homicides/2015/) in Denver in 2015. This seems to have been a result of soaring gang violence [17/04 (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27936356/soaring-gang-violence-denver-track-surpass-five-year) - 03/05 (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28037646/denver-surging-gang-violence-neighborhood-alert)].

If I might speculate I imagine a driver is going to be [1] gang diversification in-face of marijuana legalisation and [2] gentrification placing gang members into closer confines. Far as I'ma ware there's been no research though.

[Porpoise101]

By your logic we should also make everything addictive illegal, let's make sugar, tobacco, alcohol, caffeine illegal too...
I'm actually not against that. But instead of sugar I'd ban pop and soft drinks. But tobacco needs to be banned, and alcohol and caffeine need to be limited. But right now (except for soft drinks), these industries are neutered because of previous laws made long before us when our forefathers took on these guys. Now we are failing to control this industry and that scares me.

[lliam]

I think, Marijuana isn't good or bad. Good or bad is just the way how it is used.

GOOD WAY

http://cdn.theweedblog.com/wp-content/uploads//hindu-holy-man-smokes-marijuana.jpg


BAD WAY

http://media.clinicaladvisor.com/images/2015/06/24/marijuanapregnancyeffects06_790700.jpg?format=jpg&zoom=1&quality=70&anchor=middlecenter&width=320&mode=pad


edit:

Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings. (http://redicecreations.com/article.php?id=22116)

http://redicecreations.com/ul_img/22115cannabisjesus.jpg

[phuckphace]

I'm sure Judean Zealot can clue us in on the exact meaning of kaneh-bosem, but that is interesting yo

JC also liked booze, apparently. "this wedding fuckin sux" *turns their water into purpa drank*

[NzForever]

It shouldn't be illegal at all, it is a complete restriction on humans rights and freedom. If someone wants to smoke it, fucking let them. I hate cops that arrest people for smoking marijuana, don't deserved to be put in cuffs for that. Its fucking bullshit.

[Judean Zealot]

I'm sure Judean Zealot can clue us in on the exact meaning of kaneh-bosem, but that is interesting yo

JC also liked booze, apparently. "this wedding fuckin sux" *turns their water into purpa drank*

To the best of my knowledge, it's lemon grass. There are a few modern "scholars" (very few, in this particular case) who want people to read their books so they build wild unsubstantiated conjectures that people want to hear.

[Stronk Serb]

I'm actually not against that. But instead of sugar I'd ban pop and soft drinks. But tobacco needs to be banned, and alcohol and caffeine need to be limited. But right now (except for soft drinks), these industries are neutered because of previous laws made long before us when our forefathers took on these guys. Now we are failing to control this industry and that scares me.

Why completely ban tobacco, though? It's not like people get wasted from cigarettes and start bar fights. I mean yeah, you should have the right not to be in a smoking area. Yeah, it is unhealthy in large doses, but so is alcohol, sugar, caffeine, etc.

It shouldn't be illegal at all, it is a complete restriction on humans rights and freedom. If someone wants to smoke it, fucking let them. I hate cops that arrest people for smoking marijuana, don't deserved to be put in cuffs for that. Its fucking bullshit.

Don't blame the cops, blame the society for, y'know... Not wanting their kids to be stoners.

[Porpoise101]

Why completely ban tobacco, though? It's not like people get wasted from cigarettes and start bar fights. I mean yeah, you should have the right not to be in a smoking area. Yeah, it is unhealthy in large doses, but so is alcohol, sugar, caffeine, etc.
Because you don't need it. To me, poisoning yourself is like suicide, but I won't get into that. Anyways, tobacco isn't really needed. Just the nicotine is. So just take the nicotine and that way the nasty tobacco stuff doesn't cause health issues. The other reason tobacco is bad is that it hurts others. So if anything, marijuana and tobacco aren't equally bad, tobacco is worse. If there is an order to banning/regulating stuff it would go like this for me: tobacco, marijuana, soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine.

[Zachary G]

Legalizing marijuana has its benefits for those who need it for medical reasons and those are the ones who are pushing for the legalization really, and the dope heads just jumped on the band wagon. So there is some benefit to it being legal, but I understand the cons of it as well.

[Stronk Serb]

Because you don't need it. To me, poisoning yourself is like suicide, but I won't get into that. Anyways, tobacco isn't really needed. Just the nicotine is. So just take the nicotine and that way the nasty tobacco stuff doesn't cause health issues. The other reason tobacco is bad is that it hurts others. So if anything, marijuana and tobacco aren't equally bad, tobacco is worse. If there is an order to banning/regulating stuff it would go like this for me: tobacco, marijuana, soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine.

Yeah, I could take some gum, or I could pretty much grow tobacco for personal conspumption illegaly. Prohibiting tobacco is going to be as successful as the prohibition. If you ban something, the demand skyrockets and guess what? You can't regulate it because it's illegal.

[Porpoise101]

Yeah, I could take some gum, or I could pretty much grow tobacco for personal conspumption illegaly. Prohibiting tobacco is going to be as successful as the prohibition. If you ban something, the demand skyrockets and guess what? You can't regulate it because it's illegal.
The issue is that for laws to be followed, they have to either be supported popularly or be enforced so that people aren't willing to do it. Unlike Prohibition, I would actually enforce laws and make anti drug propaganda/facts to diminish support.

[Stronk Serb]

The issue is that for laws to be followed, they have to either be supported popularly or be enforced so that people aren't willing to do it. Unlike Prohibition, I would actually enforce laws and make anti drug propaganda/facts to diminish support.

I higly doubt that some states and the people would really support it. Look at Romania, they upped tobacco prices due to "EU standards" (what a laugh) and guess what? A lot of Romanians smuggle tobacco from Serbia because it's 5 times cheaper.

[Porpoise101]

I higly doubt that some states and the people would really support it. Look at Romania, they upped tobacco prices due to "EU standards" (what a laugh) and guess what? A lot of Romanians smuggle tobacco from Serbia because it's 5 times cheaper.
Yes and as the popularity of tobacco spikes today in your sphere of the world, so will lung cancer rates in 25 years. Your nation isn't ready yet.

[Stronk Serb]

Yes and as the popularity of tobacco spikes today in your sphere of the world, so will lung cancer rates in 25 years. Your nation isn't ready yet.

Not really, even with all the price increases, bans on smoking in certain areas and campaigns, smoking levels are pretty much the same, the tobacco companies earn the same amount of money and the only thing that changed was the tobacco tax revenues, meaning politicians can line their pockets with more money.

[phuckphace]

I like the Victorian era way: weed legal, but with degeneracy punishable by imprisonment. can't have one without the other, I'm afraid. vote for me in the next election and you can have all the ganja you want if you keep your fly zipped.

[Judean Zealot]

I like the Victorian era way: weed legal, but with degeneracy punishable by imprisonment. can't have one without the other, I'm afraid. vote for me in the next election and you can have all the ganja you want if you keep your fly zipped.

The Roman Republic had it right (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_censor).

[Stronk Serb]

Well, seeing how only the plebs do weed here, and it has an adverse effect on their thinking (a stoner said it can cure Alzheimer's). A friend of mine stopped smoking and drinking so he could buy weed and went full degenerate. Before weed he was normal, with or without alcohol. He literally pressures everyone around him to try it (with him), and calls everyone who refuses a pleb (oh the irony). Now he stones his days away with his brother.

[phuckphace]

Well, seeing how only the plebs do weed here, and it has an adverse effect on their thinking (a stoner said it can cure Alzheimer's). A friend of mine stopped smoking and drinking so he could buy weed and went full degenerate. Before weed he was normal, with or without alcohol. He literally pressures everyone around him to try it (with him), and calls everyone who refuses a pleb (oh the irony). Now he stones his days away with his brother.

absolutely degenerate!

I think us fascists ought to clearly define what is and is not a degenerate use of the herb, so that come the return of the Führer we know exactly who lives and who swings. to wit:

not degenerate:
- blazing it before bed to relieve occasional insomnia or caffeine jitters from earlier in the day
- occasional use with friends on the weekend as one of many possible ways to have fun

totally degenerate:
- blazing it all day every day and doing nothing productive
- blazing it because it makes you cool
- blazing it because it's illegal (FUCK THE POLICE)
- blazing it before driving or operating heavy machinery, putting others at risk if you fall asleep
- blazing it because you can't enjoy life otherwise
- blazing it before sex because you've watched so much porn you have trouble getting off

God willing, we can make cannabis great again.

[Stronk Serb]

absolutely degenerate!

I think us fascists ought to clearly define what is and is not a degenerate use of the herb, so that come the return of the Führer we know exactly who lives and who swings. to wit:

not degenerate:
- blazing it before bed to relieve occasional insomnia or caffeine jitters from earlier in the day
- occasional use with friends on the weekend as one of many possible ways to have fun

totally degenerate:
- blazing it all day every day and doing nothing productive
- blazing it because it makes you cool
- blazing it because it's illegal (FUCK THE POLICE)
- blazing it before driving or operating heavy machinery, putting others at risk if you fall asleep
- blazing it because you can't enjoy life otherwise
- blazing it before sex because you've watched so much porn you have trouble getting off

God willing, we can make cannabis great again.

Agreed, it's unfortunate how the most vocal supporters of weed legalisation are plebs who only match the degenerate characteristics you specified. Also acting degenerate while high is ought to count, ranging from inarticulate screaming to random hitting on people even though they refuse, and so on. I remember how me and mein Frau had to bolt out from a party because the stoners ruined it. My T-shirt still reeks of that shit.

[phuckphace]

Also acting degenerate while high is ought to count, ranging from inarticulate screaming to random hitting on people even though they refuse, and so on.

lol it's insanely plebbish to blame the herb, or alcohol for that matter on stupid behavior while under the influence. I've always found that somebody who's truly responsible while sober will also be responsible while high, and somebody who's a total dumbass while high is probably just a dumbass period. (no wonder the Romans kept their plebs at arms length)

I've been shitfaced with friends plenty of times and none of us ever suddenly got the urge to grab the keys and go for a drunken joyride - the slammer has never looked enticing even through beer goggles

[Stronk Serb]

lol it's insanely plebbish to blame the herb, or alcohol for that matter on stupid behavior while under the influence. I've always found that somebody who's truly responsible while sober will also be responsible while high, and somebody who's a total dumbass while high is probably just a dumbass period. (no wonder the Romans kept their plebs at arms length)

I've been shitfaced with friends plenty of times and none of us ever suddenly got the urge to grab the keys and go for a drunken joyride - the slammer has never looked enticing even through beer goggles

You misunderstood me (or I misunderstood you, lol), I have nothing against blazing pot or geting shitfaced every now and then, but if subject displays degenerate behaviour during this time, he is to be treated as a pleb.

[phuckphace]

(or I misunderstood you, lol)

da, tovarish, you did :P I was railing against plebs who say "lol duuuude I was high lemme alone duuuude" after getting high and groping girls/saying stupid shit/etc.

[Stronk Serb]

da, tovarish, you did :P I was railing against plebs who say "lol duuuude I was high lemme alone duuuude" after getting high and groping girls/saying stupid shit/etc.

Figured it was that. I love it when plebs try to justify unjustifiable actions.

[northy]

I think all psychoactive substances except caffeine and a few others should be illegal or at least restricted. They cause damage to society.

[cuzzintrevv]

Honestly marijuana is not a bad thing as long as you don't abuse it but probably the worst thing that might happen is the major munchies then fall asleep

[Fritos43]

Marijuana has no serious effects, compared to other substances. It is not addictive, compared to other substances. Against other substances, it's amazing! The effects are increased with substances, such as alcohol. It's not addictive, and the only "adverse" effects are increased hunger, cottonmouth, and paranoia (in some that use it). You can OD on marijuana, but the amount required is too great for someone to feasibly smoke at one time.

[Porpoise101]

Marijuana has no serious effects, compared to other substances. It is not addictive, compared to other substances. Against other substances, it's amazing! The effects are increased with substances, such as alcohol. It's not addictive, and the only "adverse" effects are increased hunger, cottonmouth, and paranoia (in some that use it). You can OD on marijuana, but the amount required is too great for someone to feasibly smoke at one time.
It has been shown to lower IQ also, but marginally.

Personally I only approve of psychedelics like peyote or shrooms. Maybe I like Huxley too much though.

[Kahn]

I used to be a regular user. I think that for the youth, it is extremely detrimental to motivation and critical thinking ability when abused. I think individuals who can actually benefit medically from it should be able to use it, and adult's of a reasonable age, 21, for instance, should be able to purchase it for recreational purposes in small amounts.

My psychological reliance on marijuana really set me back and I regret every using it daily.