Weed

[Canadian]

I smoke ALOT of weed. That's all to it. I like the high.
That's that and I know alot of girls who also smoke.
So why the hell should I quit?

I heard over 55% of the population have smoked in the last five years or currently do. So whats the tucking big deal? ... Really :S

[Mr. Smithers]

Nobody is asking you to quit. But for a healthier life, it's better to. Smoking is bad period. I'm not going to lie. I smoke myself. But at least I understand that I have to eventually quit one day.

[gone]

Do what you like, I dont care if you quit its your life/health

go for your life.. nobody cares

[Zazu]

If it's not affecting your school work or your life, I see no reason to stop. You could argue that smoking it isn't the best for your lungs but I personally believe that research is a load of crap. And it's illegal in most countries in the world. Meh.

[Fiending_the_freedom]

Well everyones different when it comes to pot. personally it affects my life in a positive way also.
But some people just cant get anything done when they are stonned, and those people should not smoke.
Yes the properties of smoke in general are bad, but thats that, it's not going to kill you, and is not worse than smoking ciggaretts.

[tyler_52]

THERES NO SUCH THING HAS QUITING !!! ya bunch a ladies .,.. you cant quit because theres no addiction to weed EVER ppl who say they have an addiction are weak minded and want to need it. so there never say the word quit and weed in the same sentence EVER. ( i know i just said it but im just saying right now, the only time its okay to say quit and weed in the same sentence is when you saying to ppl that you cant say those two words in the same sentence )

[Fiending_the_freedom]

THERES NO SUCH THING HAS QUITING !!! ya bunch a ladies .,.. you cant quit because theres no addiction to weed EVER ppl who say they have an addiction are weak minded and want to need it. so there never say the word quit and weed in the same sentence EVER. ( i know i just said it but im just saying right now, the only time its okay to say quit and weed in the same sentence is when you saying to ppl that you cant say those two words in the same sentence )

I'm not rude to people on VT very often,
But that was single handedly the WORST, IDIOTIC argument EVER.

So because for example eating candy isn't addicting, your argument is "there is no such thing as quitting"
People who are addicted are weak minded?
Really?
REALLY?
That's your argument?
On THIS site?
Just get out.

[iceyfresh]

I had a bad drug life and since i got clean life is so much beter but its your life and it up to you. One more thing you may think all your going to do is weed but drugs don't work that way you will to more and it will ruin your life. Good luck and No Worry's :D

[Fiending_the_freedom]

I had a bad drug life and since i got clean life is so much beter but its your life and it up to you. One more thing you may think all your going to do is weed but drugs don't work that way you will to more and it will ruin your life. Good luck and No Worry's :D


Once again, thats YOUR experience, everyone is different, but yes drugs do ruin a lot of lives.
Just because you smoke weed does not mean you are going to do other drugs.
alcohol is a drug. tobacco is a drug. A lot of people drink and smoke but never do other "drugs".
So that contradicts what you are saying.

[CourageWolf]

Weed is most definitely a gateway drug. Not that I'm opposed to smoking weed but I'd say 9 out of 10 times when you start smoking weed you'll end up doing other drugs such as E, Shrooms, Salvia, etc.

[Watchfulness]

Weed is illegal, uphold authority.
Keep society in the balanced path.

[Fiending_the_freedom]

Weed is illegal, uphold authority.
Keep society in the balanced path.

There really can never be such a thing as "society in a balanced path"

[Watchfulness]

But there are ways we can prevent it from getting worse.

[Lazy Procrastinator]

Weed in moderation, to an EXTENT is perfectly fine. It is when it becomes overused; every day that it becomes a problem. READ ON, NOT AND OPINION OR PIECE OF BIAS-CRAP.

I personally have no experience in this subject, however, heard me out. I have thought about this a lot and have heard first hand experiences from friends, and adults, as well as have researched to topic of weed thoroughly throughout the internet, and the following are the keypoints I have deducted according to whether or not it should be consumed.

Weed is not bad nor good, only when used excessively can it become a problem (derr you might say).
The only reason weed is illegal in developed nations like U.S.A, Canada, Australia, and all modern and closely developed nations is because it decreases productivity in the two higher sectors of three that is best for GDP (Gross Domestic Product - a measure of the economy of a nation), industry (mining, processing, car manufacturing) and services (doctors, nurses, lawyers), require university and some degree of knowledge, the third being agriculture as seen as the "bad" and low level income sector (if you don't believe this point then youtube "Yemen qat"). YES I AM COMMA-HAPPY (trigger/comma).
Weed can become your most desired object in life, leaving previous and more constructing ambitions behind; creating a life of single-mindedness.
Can destroy lives (derr you might say again, read on) - Excessive use may lead to the inhibition to try harder drugs which are addictive and can overdose easily (your system becomes used to the drug and requires more and more for the same hit as before) this I have seen first hand (*note not being biased, representing fact), and can commonly happen with alcoholics (that being the inhibition to try other drugs).
Social life can become a shambles - Common use may result in being lazy and not feeling like going outside with your friends.
Marijuana can enhance artistic emotions - Can enhance stimulation of painting and other recreational activities (that's a positive point, lol).
It is apparantly one of the cheapest drugs on the market - Will not break the bank.
Do not take statistics on publically bias material like statistics on drugs "I heard over 55% of the population have smoked in the last five years or currently do.", you have been hooked by one of media's statistical oldest tricks in the book, you have just brought something totally irrelevant to your question/explanation. You just said the statics of people who have USED in the past 5 years, not who smoke regularly or excessively - don't worry lots of people get hooked by these tricks, for example they used under 25 year old deaths in cars (that being 0-25 year olds, people who can't even drive who were just passengers) as an argument to increase driving time with P plates by two times the driving time it was before.
I can't be bothered bringing up any more because I have blabbered enough already and will just continually go on and on.

[Lazy Procrastinator]

I guess what I was trying to say earlier was that:

a) Governments don't like marijuana because it decreases productivity and increases accidents in the workplace - no I'm not kidding people do cut their fingers off while under the effect of drugs in the carpenting business or such.
b) Use it in moderation, do not let your life become under the control of a drug. Do not be dependant.
c) Drugs can be a good way of enhancing social recreational activities.

[Magus]

I've done a blog about this, if any one interested, just go check it.

[Evermore]

IMO, weed is just as bad as ciggarettes or alcohol or donuts or girlfriends. Nothing wrong with it really but you should keep it so it doesn't control you. Donuts are good but you don't want to eat too much. Weed is fine but don't smoke too often. Girlfriends are awesome but not if you have more then one.

[HiimJack]

Do what you like, I dont care if you quit its your life/health

go for your life.. nobody cares


Abit to Harsh.

Ehm Weed isnt as bad as Smoking ciggaretes. Weed halts Cancer (Well Scientist's are doing tests atm) and can be use'd as a medical drug in canada for your infomation. But seeing it's not legal in the UK. I dont smoke it, only ever tried it. I didnt really like it i guess.

Weed is very different to Cigs.

To be honest i dont really know if you should stop or not.

[Scarface]

nobody is asking you to quit it just makes you lazy believe me i almost got arrested for it. remember that moderation is key over use of any substance place or thing can corrupt you so just take it easy on it because then u will build a tolerance for it thus causing you to smoke more. also keep in mind that weed is a gateway to other drugs so keep that in mind, not being a hypocrite.

[ledzepmatt1996]

pot is not a gateway drug it is just categorized as such due to its availability and commonness in our society when study's done on drug users that say they tried pot majoritally didn't use it first but another drug i.e. cocaine,heroine,e,pcp,speed

[Sordid Saint]

Lucky. Girls in my school get pissed when they find out that someone smoked weed. I don't know if they're jealous, or just believe every bad thing and not one not bad thing about weed that theyve heard.

But my girlfriend doesn't mind if I smoke, she just says that she never will . She seems like one of the girls that would do it but she says she would never

[Peace God]

I smoke ALOT of weed. That's all to it. I like the high.
That's that and I know alot of girls who also smoke.
So why the hell should I quit?

I heard over 55% of the population have smoked in the last five years or currently do. So whats the tucking big deal? ... Really :S
wtf? no one here is confronting you about your smoking
maybe u should hit some more herb and calm down
Weed is most definitely a gateway drug. Not that I'm opposed to smoking weed but I'd say 9 out of 10 times when you start smoking weed you'll end up doing other drugs such as E, Shrooms, Salvia, etc.
9 out of 10 times??? you must not know many potheads

[Sith Lord 13]

On the gateway issue: While most hard drug users started with pot, most pot users don't go to harder drugs.

Here's the thing. Pot is the easiest drug to obtain, so people who want to do drugs will do it first. Some people, however, want more than pot offers so they move on to harder stuff. If anything, pot is an anti-gateway drug, as it gives people something to take without doing harder stuff.

This is my own opinion, based on what I've learned by reading and my own experiences. I don't do pot, if for no other reason than I can't afford it, and I don't encourage it, as people don't need extra reasons to sit around on the couch all day.

[Kassablanca]

imo, weed is just as bad as ciggarettes or alcohol or donuts or girlfriends. Nothing wrong with it really but you should keep it so it doesn't control you. Donuts are good but you don't want to eat too much. Weed is fine but don't smoke too often. Girlfriends are awesome but not if you have more then one. this.

[Pirate]

If it's not affecting your school work or your life, I see no reason to stop. You could argue that smoking it isn't the best for your lungs but I personally believe that research is a load of crap. And it's illegal in most countries in the world. Meh.

The research isn't a load of crap, they've cut open lungs and scraped tar residue and things out. Though I do agree that if it isn't affecting your life and you're happy doing it, then go for it.

[ledzepmatt1996]

The research isn't a load of crap, they've cut open lungs and scraped tar residue and things out. Though I do agree that if it isn't affecting your life and you're happy doing it, then go for it.

the tared lungs were from people who also smoked ciggaretts and herb.

[Toilet Water.]

I had a bad drug life and since i got clean life is so much beter but its your life and it up to you. One more thing you may think all your going to do is weed but drugs don't work that way you will to more and it will ruin your life. Good luck and No Worry's :D

not everyone who smokes weed will be addicted to other drugs in the future. a lot of teenagers i know wouldnt. a lot of adults smoke weed, and havent even tried other drugs. weed is different than other drugs; weed is not harmful. a lot of people know this, and will only do weed.

[janjanTRIP_]

Weed is most definitely a gateway drug. Not that I'm opposed to smoking weed but I'd say 9 out of 10 times when you start smoking weed you'll end up doing other drugs such as E, Shrooms, Salvia, etc.

those who smoke ganja may or may not do other drugs. i have. i, now, only smoke marijuana. one of my friends smokes everyday practically all day, she's tried other drugs, and after, said she wouldn't do anything but weed. and other friends of mine blaze, but would never touch another drug. weed is NOT a gateway drug.

But there are ways we can prevent it from getting worse.

weed, a minor "drug", isnt a problem. police know this. a lot of police smoke weed. i smoke weed in public places. it is legal to sell bongs, and pipes, even grinders. everyone knows what they are used for. everyone knows they dont use it for tobacco.

Weed in moderation, to an EXTENT is perfectly fine. It is when it becomes overused; every day that it becomes a problem.

weed is not a problem unless you're not able to have a conversation when high, or cant get anything accomplished when you are high. my friend smokes every day, it doesn't get in the way of his school work, social life, family life, NOTHING. it all depends on if you can handle weed.

Weed can become your most desired object in life, leaving previous and more constructing ambitions behind; creating a life of single-mindedness.

Can destroy lives (derr you might say again, read on) - Excessive use may lead to the inhibition to try harder drugs which are addictive and can overdose easily (your system becomes used to the drug and requires more and more for the same hit as before) this I have seen first hand (*note not being biased, representing fact), and can commonly happen with alcoholics (that being the inhibition to try other drugs).

Social life can become a shambles - Common use may result in being lazy and not feeling like going outside with your friends.

if weed can become your most desired object in life, then the person shouldnt even smoke.

weed can't destroy lives. weed is not a gateway drug, it is the person's decision to try other drugs, and if they're even considering doing other drugs, they probably would have tried it with or without weed. a very small portion of weed smokers will go onto harder drugs and get addicted.

if weed is destroying your social life, then you shouldn't smoke weed. but ALL my friends smoke weed and are perfectly fine. except for one, i turned her into a stoner (lol) , but she just falls asleep.

IMO, weed is just as bad as ciggarettes or alcohol or donuts or girlfriends. Nothing wrong with it really but you should keep it so it doesn't control you. Donuts are good but you don't want to eat too much. Weed is fine but don't smoke too often. Girlfriends are awesome but not if you have more then one.

it is a fact that weed is healthier than cigarettes, and alcohol. lol, donno bout donuts or girlfriends tho.

[Peace God]

IMO, weed is just as bad as ciggarettes or alcohol or donuts or girlfriends. Nothing wrong with it really but you should keep it so it doesn't control you.
yeah...except all of the other ones can KILL you.

As far as the gateway theory...weed turned out to be the opposite for me. When i started i was quickly able to quit cigarettes and cut down my alcohol drinking to once a month.

But i guess it's not the same for everyone.

[ziggyhz]

im tempted to try weed, but i really don't want to!
i have set myself morals and i would be breaking one
i think if i tried it i could become addicted and something bad could happen

[Toilet Water.]

im tempted to try weed, but i really don't want to!
i have set myself morals and i would be breaking one
i think if i tried it i could become addicted and something bad could happen

if you don't want to try weed, then don't. its as simple as that.
you can never become physically addicted to marijuana , mmmkaaay.
if you try it just once, it will do absolutely no harm. FACT.

[Peace God]

im tempted to try weed, but i really don't want to!
i have set myself morals and i would be breaking one
i think if i tried it i could become addicted and something bad could happen
before you do anything educate yourself and understand the legal consequences

[Tombomb4560]

Weed is fine as long as you find yourself saying, "Im gonna go take a smoke." Bad if you are like, "I NEED a smoke."
Called a healthy relashionship with ur drug.
Dont do escapism

[Nickk XD]

This statement isn't very accurate. Pot is considered the gateway drug simply because it is readily available. Almost everyone who would try a harder drug tried marijuana first. It is the most popular illegal drug of choice. Most eople who do things like meth, cocaine, heroine, etc. also smoke marijuana.

pot is not a gateway drug it is just categorized as such due to its availability and commonness in our society when study's done on drug users that say they tried pot majoritally didn't use it first but another drug i.e. cocaine,heroine,e,pcp,speed

There is no such thing as a good relationship with a drug. Yes, if you consume it on a basis that is rare, it is better...but there is not a way to consume a drug that is healthy. Vaporizing the drug; however, is the best and safest method if you are going to consume it.

Weed is fine as long as you find yourself saying, "Im gonna go take a smoke." Bad if you are like, "I NEED a smoke."
Called a healthy relashionship with ur drug.
Dont do escapism

Marijuana has many negative effects.

Common effects of marijuana include: distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that marijuana’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Research on the long-term effects of marijuana abuse indicates some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term abuse of other major drugs. For example, cannabinoid (a brain chemical) withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine. Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.

Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects upon social functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. These withdrawal symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2–3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation.

Marijuana increases heart rate by 20–100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to the increased heart rate as well as effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in aging populations or those with cardiac vulnerabilities.

Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50–70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs’ exposure to carcinogenic smoke. Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer; however, a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract cancers. Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers remains unsubstantiated at this time. Nonetheless, marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections. A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than nonsmokers. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.



http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

[Fiending_the_freedom]

This statement isn't very accurate. Pot is considered the gateway drug simply because it is readily available. Almost everyone who would try a harder drug tried marijuana first. It is the most popular illegal drug of choice. Most eople who do things like meth, cocaine, heroine, etc. also smoke marijuana.

Why do they never include tobacco or alcohol in this?
Majority of people smoke a cig or drink before trying weed, would this not count towards being the gate way drug? these are drugs too, and legal at that.






Common effects of marijuana include: distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory.
So basically the same effects of being drunk, ohh nooo.

Research has shown that marijuana’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

If this was true the goverment would be parading this evidence around, but no on anti weed commercials ect. they never say "the after effects last weeks"
Also, I have smoked a bunch of weed last night, didn't smoke this morning went and took my exam and got better than I usually do. I know enough people who have quit smoking weed that I Know there is no after effects on memory and such afterwords.


Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects upon social functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit.
This is true with any bad habbit that is long term, these are the same symptoms as qutting smoking and quitting drinking coffee. Marijuana is not physically addictive therefore no different than anything else you can get addicted to.


A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than nonsmokers. Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.

Lol, where did you get this information?
I'm pretty sure if this was true, just like I said before, the goverment would be parading around the information in our faces.

Point I'm trying to make is,
Anyway you put it, Marijuana is not worse or bad as alcohol or tabacco, so why are they legal and pot isnt?
Because the goverment would not profit off of it. Even if they were the ones selling it, that would make it legal to grow hemp, which is much better in use, and has more uses. It would replace rope, paper, cotton, ect.

[Nickk XD]

The majority of people do drink before they begin weed. Alcohol may be more readily available than marijuana actually (because many people can easily sneak some from their drinking parents). Alcohol abuse doesn't lead to marijuana abuse. You begin to drink alcohol, then if you're one of the select that have potential for alcohol addiction, then you drink more...you don't drink alcohol and then say "oh, now I need some weed". Many people who deal drugs (in my area anyway) deal more than just one type. Whenever this occurs, the people doing the weed have easier access to the other, more harsh stuff.

People who just grow their own weed have a less chance with the "gateway" effect.

Smoking and marijuana tend to go hand and hand...they are completely different in the way they are classified. Nicotine is a stimulant which stimulates your central nervous system. It sort of provides a high...but not what you'd consider a marijuana high to be. Nicotine just provides that "oh, that feels better" feeling while marijuana can provide a "woo-hoo" feeling. Marijuana hasn't been completely classified as anything yet. Some try and call it a stimulant, like nicotine, or a depressant like alcohol. In my opinion, it fits as a depressant more...but we'll leave that up to you. Since cigarettes do not provide a "woo-hoo lets have fun" feeling...it isn't compared to nicotine. That's why nicotine isn't a gateway drug...it doesn't even closely resembled the effects of other drugs, aside from its STRONG addictive factor.

Why do they never include tobacco or alcohol in this?
Majority of people smoke a cig or drink before trying weed, would this not count towards being the gate way drug? these are drugs too, and legal at that.



Well, the government actually is parading around. The information you quoted came from a government website...i didn't post a link...my bad. Here it is now: http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html this is a government supported website. It isn't directly created by the website, but rather the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Their website is simply http://drugabuse.gov. I just found an even better site through them more geared for teens. I didn't use the teen site in ANY information I quoted previously. The teen site is: http://teens.drugabuse.gov (duh!)

Keep in mind that not everything that could happen does happen to everyone. I know, in my personal experiences (like friends and such), that marijuana definitely impairs the ability to think even after you quit the drug.



If this was true the goverment would be parading this evidence around, but no on anti weed commercials ect. they never say "the after effects last weeks"
Also, I have smoked a bunch of weed last night, didn't smoke this morning went and took my exam and got better than I usually do. I know enough people who have quit smoking weed that I Know there is no after effects on memory and such afterwords.



Well, the symptoms of withdrawals from every drug is different (even though some things specifically may be the same). When you stop coffee, you tend to get extremely bad diarrhea or constipation, unable to see clearly, etc. It does have the anxiety, etc that you also may experience with marijuana. Caffeine; however, has no long term negative effects once you stop. Cigarettes also have no long term effects after 5 years. Marijuana effects are reported to last a lifetime of heavy over abuse. That was just what research says...I, myself, am even a little unsure if it could possibly last FOREVER like they say it can...but oh well.


This is true with any bad habbit that is long term, these are the same symptoms as qutting smoking and quitting drinking coffee. Marijuana is not physically addictive therefore no different than anything else you can get addicted to.




That study, once again, came from the United States Government...
http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

Well, hemp is already used in many things...like lotions that contain hemp and rope.

The reason it is not YET legal is because when something like this is legalized, the number of crimes goes up, naturally. Because marijuana is relatively easy to grow and provides many "hallucinogenic effects" and a "woo-hoo" effect, people naturally WANT it. Marijuana isn't something they could easily sell in stores. Stores would be robbed and people would easily die. My state, California, wants to legalize it (and it may happen within the next year or it may be vetoed by the governor like it has the last 3 times). We already have medicinal marijuana legalized. Well, this state and especially my county has already seen an increase of 25% of crime that is related to drugs and 21% of that was from marijuana related crimes effecting people with prescriptions. These are not numbers that would make the state or the country legalize it.

Lol, where did you get this information?
I'm pretty sure if this was true, just like I said before, the goverment would be parading around the information in our faces.

Point I'm trying to make is,
Anyway you put it, Marijuana is not worse or bad as alcohol or tabacco, so why are they legal and pot isnt?
Because the goverment would not profit off of it. Even if they were the ones selling it, that would make it legal to grow hemp, which is much better in use, and has more uses. It would replace rope, paper, cotton, ect.

[Vutra92]

Smoke weed every day!

[CaptainObvious]

The majority of people do drink before they begin weed. Alcohol may be more readily available than marijuana actually (because many people can easily sneak some from their drinking parents). Alcohol abuse doesn't lead to marijuana abuse. You begin to drink alcohol, then if you're one of the select that have potential for alcohol addiction, then you drink more...you don't drink alcohol and then say "oh, now I need some weed". Many people who deal drugs (in my area anyway) deal more than just one type. Whenever this occurs, the people doing the weed have easier access to the other, more harsh stuff.

Uhh... you're not really well versed with what "gateway drug" means, are you? The gateway drug effect is the idea that marijuana use, because of some property of marijuana, causes a person to be more likely to choose drugs.

Your explanation here actually shows precisely why marijuana is not a gateway drug: the drug itself does not lead to experimentation with other drugs. Rather, knowing people who have access to other drugs, being willing to break the law, etc., lead a person to be more likely to try illegal drugs. Correlation, not causation. If we go by the statistics, alcohol or tobacco are the biggest "gateway drugs", since almost everyone tries one or both before marijuana.

That's why nicotine isn't a gateway drug...it doesn't even closely resembled the effects of other drugs, aside from its STRONG addictive factor.

Nicotine is not a gateway drug just like cannabis is not a gateway drug: neither causes a person to be more likely to use drugs later. However, nicotine is much more of a gateway drug in the sense that almost everyone who uses harder drugs uses or has used tobacco: in fact, it is far more common for hard drug users to have begun with tobacco than even marijuana.

Keep in mind that not everything that could happen does happen to everyone. I know, in my personal experiences (like friends and such), that marijuana definitely impairs the ability to think even after you quit the drug.

Anecdotal evidence is not evidence. That's what we have rigorous statistical trials for.

Well, the symptoms of withdrawals from every drug is different (even though some things specifically may be the same). When you stop coffee, you tend to get extremely bad diarrhea or constipation, unable to see clearly, etc. It does have the anxiety, etc that you also may experience with marijuana. Caffeine; however, has no long term negative effects once you stop. Cigarettes also have no long term effects after 5 years. Marijuana effects are reported to last a lifetime of heavy over abuse. That was just what research says...I, myself, am even a little unsure if it could possibly last FOREVER like they say it can...but oh well.

I am unaware of any serious scientific study that purports to have proven marijuana to have permanent deleterious effects. I know the government's drug propaganda arms often say such things, but that's why we don't listen to government sources on this issue thank you.

That study, once again, came from the United States Government...
http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

I think we should get something clear here. That's not a study. A study is a peer-reviewed, clinical (or meta-analytic, but that's a little more complicated) investigation with statistical analyzed results. That's just a government website designed to keep teens away from marijuana.

The reason it is not YET legal is because when something like this is legalized, the number of crimes goes up, naturally. Because marijuana is relatively easy to grow and provides many "hallucinogenic effects" and a "woo-hoo" effect, people naturally WANT it. Marijuana isn't something they could easily sell in stores. Stores would be robbed and people would easily die. My state, California, wants to legalize it (and it may happen within the next year or it may be vetoed by the governor like it has the last 3 times). We already have medicinal marijuana legalized. Well, this state and especially my county has already seen an increase of 25% of crime that is related to drugs and 21% of that was from marijuana related crimes effecting people with prescriptions. These are not numbers that would make the state or the country legalize it.

Please substantiate the claim that 21% of the 25% crime increase can be directly attributed to marijuana. I doubt that number.

[Nickk XD]

Are you a pot head?:eek:

I haven't seen one thing (maybe one, I'm not sure) about marijuana being BAD. Let's just face the facts: you cannot consume marijuana and say you're healthier because of it. THC contains no vitamins, minerals, and has yet to be found to have any type of beneficial effects (other than pain management). I do know studies are being done to see what positive effects it MAY have as they've seen some links between things. I saw a study linking this (or it may have been something else currently considered bad...like caffeine) that lowers the chance and even may get rid of Alzheimer's.

I am completely for allowing people who suffer chronic pain (like MS, Fibromyalgia, etc.) and even people who have cancer I guess because it helps you continue eating and may relieve nausea from the Chemo...

But you cannot say that using marijuana does anything positive. It isn't going to get rid of the cancer. It can help you battle it by keeping you eating and not puking and stuff. Fibromyalgia and MS suffers will still have problems when they aren't able to use marijuana.

Uhh... you're not really well versed with what "gateway drug" means, are you? The gateway drug effect is the idea that marijuana use, because of some property of marijuana, causes a person to be more likely to choose drugs.

Your explanation here actually shows precisely why marijuana is not a gateway drug: the drug itself does not lead to experimentation with other drugs. Rather, knowing people who have access to other drugs, being willing to break the law, etc., lead a person to be more likely to try illegal drugs. Correlation, not causation. If we go by the statistics, alcohol or tobacco are the biggest "gateway drugs", since almost everyone tries one or both before marijuana.



Nicotine is not a gateway drug just like cannabis is not a gateway drug: neither causes a person to be more likely to use drugs later. However, nicotine is much more of a gateway drug in the sense that almost everyone who uses harder drugs uses or has used tobacco: in fact, it is far more common for hard drug users to have begun with tobacco than even marijuana.



Anecdotal evidence is not evidence. That's what we have rigorous statistical trials for.



I am unaware of any serious scientific study that purports to have proven marijuana to have permanent deleterious effects. I know the government's drug propaganda arms often say such things, but that's why we don't listen to government sources on this issue thank you.



I think we should get something clear here. That's not a study. A study is a peer-reviewed, clinical (or meta-analytic, but that's a little more complicated) investigation with statistical analyzed results. That's just a government website designed to keep teens away from marijuana.



Please substantiate the claim that 21% of the 25% crime increase can be directly attributed to marijuana. I doubt that number.

[CaptainObvious]

Are you a pot head?:eek:

I'm a person who likes accuracy.

I haven't seen one thing (maybe one, I'm not sure) about marijuana being BAD. Let's just face the facts: you cannot consume marijuana and say you're healthier because of it.

You're probably right. However, there are a great many things for which that is true. Red meat, fatty food, alcohol in any consumption pattern other than a constant 1-2 drinks per day, watching TV, playing video games, hell, even doing homework are all activities that you cannot say you are healthier for doing.

And? "Does doing this make me healthier?" is not the sole decision criterion for humanity.

But you cannot say that using marijuana does anything positive.

Uhhh.... yes, I most certainly can. The relaxation someone gets from it might be something positive in itself. Maybe the person wants to find a movie way more hilarious - that's another positive effect. Obviously, for those whose symptoms are treated by marijuana, that itself is a serious positive.

Whether marijuana does more positive than negative is an interesting question - the answer depends on the person, obviously - but the reflexive anti-drug "IT CANT POSSIBLY DO ANYTHING GOOD" is a ridiculous argument.

[Steveee]

Smoking anything is not going to be good for your lungs. How weed compares to cigarettes, I don't know.

Weed obviously doesn't do anything positive physically, but for many people, it does have positive mental effects. It can have bad mental effects too obviously, but so can psychological addiction to anything else.

To me it seems strange that they think crime would increase if weed was legalized? Why? Because more people would be high, and that would cause them to commit crimes? I don't think so. I think if anything, crime would go down, because the distribution of weed would be in the hands of law-abiding businesses and not drug dealers.

[Nicky]

amen brother! nothing wrong with it, lets just get some tolerance in this world!

[Koby]

Nobody is asking you to quit. But for a healthier life, it's better to. Smoking is bad period. I'm not going to lie. I smoke myself. But at least I understand that I have to eventually quit one day.

Well everyone has to, everyone dies.






for now...

[TravM]

I loved smoking weed. It's so relaxing and fun. If it's not your thing, don't try it.

[Adam]

You don't need to stop. I smoke almost everyday. I get good grades and know where im heading in life.

[Deadlykills]

Only reason why Weed is illegal is cause the government cant tax it. If they could tax it, it would be legal.

[Peace God]

Only reason why Weed is illegal is cause the government cant tax it. If they could tax it, it would be legal.
they can tax anything...they already tax medical marijuana, i dont see how weed cant be taxed, its just like any other item

[mach5]

dude im with you! i fricken love weed. the high is awesome as hell. i got so f*cked up last night. it was awesome

[MyNameIsJack]

It's illegal that's the big deal, but you're free you choice between what is good for you or bad, you can judge right and can judge wrong. Some people judge weed as bad but others think it's good and doesn't affects your health.

In my opinion you just have to do it in special moments, but do not smoke weed all day.. everything that is done in excess is bad, even working or studying, and the good ones are more hard to tolerate. Just control when and how. Good luck.

[Zeh Crazy]

I don't smoke often, but I like to. To me, there's nothing wrong with it. It's completely natural and I think it is meant to smoke for medicinal purposes and also for recreation. The only people who have ever really complained about weed are people who have never done it. It's awesome. I actually want to step it up and try shrooms at some point.


Be One with nature.

[Deagle]

On a far future (years) you will slowly lose your capacity to remember on short times and at one point you will just become dumb.

Im not saying that to say the weed is bad, I smoke myself, but just once in a while, either once on weekends a little gram or two, or when I have exams, it can go as far as 1-2 months.

And for the ones saying you cant get addicted to weed, it's true that you cant get physically addicted, but psychologically, you will develop an addiction of always wanting the high and having your your joint / bong and smoke.

Think about it,

[ortmann123]

im a social smoker, only whem my friends do it. but not alone or something. yeah girls do it to, in my school girls even start younger that guys did

[1_21Guns]

unlocked.

wasnt thinking at the time.

appologse for an inconvience caused.

[Nickk XD]

Very true.

Girls are actually more likely to start drugs younger but guys are more likely to do them longer.

Girls use it has a "temporary getaway from drama"...while guys do it just to get high. That's not to say some girls don't like to just be stoned...but yea.

Guys are more likely to continue use...simply because guys are more likely to remain strongly addicted.

im a social smoker, only whem my friends do it. but not alone or something. yeah girls do it to, in my school girls even start younger that guys did

[Sordid Saint]

Once again, thats YOUR experience, everyone is different, but yes drugs do ruin a lot of lives.
Just because you smoke weed does not mean you are going to do other drugs.
alcohol is a drug. tobacco is a drug. A lot of people drink and smoke but never do other "drugs".
So that contradicts what you are saying.

Correct. If my drug of choice was alcohol, it could be said I started on milk.