New warning about Marijuana or Cannabis

Cannabis 'disrupts brain centre'
In a second study, a team from Yale University administered THC intravenously.

Even at relatively low doses, they found 50% of healthy volunteers began to show symptoms of psychosis.

Very interesting... Read more about it at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6162217.stm

The link didn't work for me :(

But I have no dubt about this... as I have 2 brothers that has smoeked cannabis since they were around 15 years old.

Both of them suffer from social anxiety :(

Thanks for letting me know. I corrected the link. :)

Well, I say whatever:rolleyes:
I smoke POT:eek: Does that really shock anyone here?
I do not smoke at work or until after my kid is in bed but...........smoke it I do!
I realize that I am a tad "odd" but I have been smoking about 1 bowl a day, the equivalent of maybe 1 joint, since my teens and I can deal with my life.....I pay my bills, own a home, 2 cars, have held a job since the age of 15 and do as much as I can for social injustice. I have no social problems that bother my life or my friends and family.
I do not think that it is for everyone but it helps the pain I am in these days, I am not a drinker and not into hard drugs.
That study is like saying that every college student who writes really bad horror stories is a mass murderer!
Just tie me to the nearest plant in the next protest.
Blessings, TD

Well, I say whatever:rolleyes:
I smoke POT:eek: Does that really shock anyone here?
I do not smoke at work or until after my kid is in bed but...........smoke it I do!
I realize that I am a tad "odd" but I have been smoking about 1 bowl a day, the equivalent of maybe 1 joint, since my teens and I can deal with my life.....I pay my bills, own a home, 2 cars, have held a job since the age of 15 and do as much as I can for social injustice. I have no social problems that bother my life or my friends and family.
I do not think that it is for everyone but it helps the pain I am in these days, I am not a drinker and not into hard drugs.
That study is like saying that every college student who writes really bad horror stories is a mass murderer!
Just tie me to the nearest plant in the next protest.
Blessings, TD

You know my brother also manage to go to work and be a good dad to his kids, but what happens the day his kids realizes what their dad is doing?
What will they learn from that? That breaking the law is okay, as long as you think they are stupid?
I'm not trying to put on a halo here, 'cause I also smoked a little when I was younger... and I don't think that cannabis does harm to everyone... but how can anyone say that it is okay when they know what it does to some?

I just wish they would make TOBACCO illegal. :yes:

I just wish they would make TOBACCO illegal. :yes:

Exactly. Or liquor. How many kids OD on pot? Compared to how many OD on liquor?

None of it is perfect. All or most prescription drugs have bad side effects, and can do long-lasting damage. Let alone over-the-counter drugs.

So if you use any of the above, you could be damaging your body/mind, and probably are. Especially your liver.

What happens when your kids see you drunk?
Walk in on you having sex?
Fighting with your spouse?
Geeze.............no my child isn't stupid. I pray she never has sex until she is in love/married.
I pray she never takes one sip of alcohol, whether legal or not.
I pray she has a man in her life who doesn't criticize.
Friends who do not JUDGE her too harshly or are holier than thou.
I am not depressed.
My child is very happy.
I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished in my life so far.
I do not let severe pain stop me from living my life.......I will however deal with it how I see fit.
The law???? Doesn't mean much to me anymore. Many things should be illegal that are not. Many things that should be legal aren't.
Let he/she who is w/o sin cast the first stone.
I am not ashamed of anything I do, if I were? I would not do it.
If I do something, I will stand up and say "yes I did/do it".
I am kind, thoughtful, a good friend, do more than most to help this world.
Throw your stones.......but do not dare bring my child into it!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:
She is great.... a National honor role student, an amazing musician, writer, kind, beautiful, extremely loved and taken care of, very well travelled, and most of all NONJUDGEMENTAL!!!
I knew by posting my opinion on marijuana would generate some flack and that is OK.....to each his own.
I stand up for it b/c I believe in it.....time and a place for sure, but, I want the laws changed and what kind of person would I be if I hid it like it was evil to me b/c, to me, it is not!
Live and let live!
Blessings, TD

If you read my post, I said......."it is NOT for everyone"
I just hope that the "everyone" I mentioned doesn't drink or use "legal" pills either!

What happens when your kids see you drunk?
Walk in on you having sex?
Fighting with your spouse?
Geeze.............no my child isn't stupid. I pray she never has sex until she is in love/married.
I pray she never takes one sip of alcohol, whether legal or not.
I pray she has a man in her life who doesn't criticize.
Friends who do not JUDGE her too harshly or are holier than thou.
I am not depressed.
My child is very happy.
I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished in my life so far.
I do not let severe pain stop me from living my life.......I will however deal with it how I see fit.
The law???? Doesn't mean much to me anymore. Many things should be illegal that are not. Many things that should be legal aren't.
Let he/she who is w/o sin cast the first stone.
I am not ashamed of anything I do, if I were? I would not do it.
If I do something, I will stand up and say "yes I did/do it".
I am kind, thoughtful, a good friend, do more than most to help this world.
Throw your stones.......but do not dare bring my child into it!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:
She is great.... a National honor role student, an amazing musician, writer, kind, beautiful, extremely loved and taken care of, very well travelled, and most of all NONJUDGEMENTAL!!!
I knew by posting my opinion on marijuana would generate some flack and that is OK.....to each his own.
I stand up for it b/c I believe in it.....time and a place for sure, but, I want the laws changed and what kind of person would I be if I hid it like it was evil to me b/c, to me, it is not!
Live and let live!
Blessings, TD


Do your thing girl...what ever makes you happy is your own bussiness and as long as your happy a I say **** what other people say and think.

P.S I use to smoke weed but don't anymore I never had social problems. My friends smoke weed all the time and unless you knew them you would never know they have no social problems either.

If you read my post, I said......."it is NOT for everyone"
I just hope that the "everyone" I mentioned doesn't drink or use "legal" pills either!

Just a question?

You say you smoke it every day. I have a very good friend that does also. The problem I'm having with him is that if he's not high he's moody. Do you find you're moody without it? He smokes the equivalent of 1-3 joints a day.

Sorry to put you on the spot. Just curious since your useage seems to be long term and would probably to give a realistic opinion about it.

Well thank you!
JT, I am sorry, I didn't mean to come down so hard on you..........I haven't smoked anything yet today:eek: I really like you and you have a very kind heart. This is just a "subject" I am torn up about.
Anymore, I do not know what to tell me child about most things in society.
Our government? I have NO idea how to explain that one.
Paris Hilton? Nope.
Bullies? Not a clue as to what makes them tick.
I do not "hide" it from her but I do not do it around her anymore than I would do other "adult" things around her.
I wouldn't try to give a first grader a 12th grade math problem either though.
I want my child to stand up and CHALLENGE things that "she" feels are wrong in this world.
I smoke cigarettes too.........I would be beyond upset if she were to smoke one though. Thank GOD she hates them and I am trying my best to quit. One day soon I WILL win that battle.
I do the best I can, which is..........better than some, not as good as others. This is all anyone can do.
Again........I am sorry.....you didn't deserve my rant!
Blessings, TD

Angel,
My husband quit smoking cigarettes and weed about a year ago and with him? OH YEAH, very moody for a while:rolleyes:
Me? Not really..I am fairly consistant. I do not miss it if it isn't around but, if it is, I really enjoy it...I call it "my martini" after a hard day.
I work in the arts though and pretty much everyone of the dancers, musicians, directors, choreographers, etc... smoke. It is definitely more acceptable in my field than in "normal" society.
I don't hide it..........most all of my boss's know I smoke. I would never do it around my students anymore than I would show up drunk.
One day.........years ago, my bestfriend (she is now a psychiatrist lol) and I smoked way too much between shows, that was a big mistake. I was totally paranoid and vowed never to do that again :eek: And, I never have.
About half the choreographers I know are just the opposite.....they say they can ONLY do good work if they are stoned. It just doesn't work for me.
Of course I would be lying if I said that it didn't mellow me out some though.
That is why I smoke it. It really does help my back pain a lot and it also does for me the same thing as an after work drink does for others.........helps me unwind. No more, no less.
Blessings, TD

There's nothing to be sorry about, TD. You don't have to agree with people on everything to like them and we do come from two different places in the world with different laws and societies. ;)

I was merely trying to say something about "telling" a kid that something that is illegal is okay to do for some.. cause I believe that is what you are saying by smoking weed, not directly, but we are our kids' role model right?

My kids knows that I have smoked before too, not because I have told them but because my brother thinks that it is okay to bring up every negative thing I have done in life so that he can appear in a better light and to tell my daughter that what he is doing really isn't that bad. That has put me in a situation that I wish I didn't have to be in and that is to prove to her that it's not as okay as he is trying to tell her. And how have I had to do that? By pointing out everything he does as a result of his addiction.
Here in Norway weed is very hard to come by, so everyone that smokes cannabis here in Norway uses hash. My brother "wakes and bakes" and I'll tell you he empties out a full pipe in one hit and that makes him cough and spit out phlegm for the next 10-15 minutes (we used to live next door to my brother before and I could hear his coughing from his house to mine in the morning :eek:) So the bathroom is occupied by him for a while in the morning. This is the same bathroom that his kids and wife use shortly after he has. Then he heads off to work, he works as a carpenter and in the middle of the day if he works with others that doesn't know that he smokes he has to come up with an "excuse" to get away so that he can have his 2nd round that day. After a day of work the first thing he does when he gets home is to lock himself up in the bathroom. He also has developed in the last couple of years a need for 2-3 beers in the evening, so that comes before he has his last "bathroom meal" and heads off to bed.
On the positive side of him, he always has lots of time for his kids, he takes them on trips to the forest and teaches them a lot of things like how to make a fire and how to see what's north,east west and south by looking at things in the nature and so on... But when it comes to go to see a school play at his daughter's school he always tries to get out of it... because dealing with a lot of people is a problem.
His addiction also causes an economical problem. They are two hard-working people in that family and they have atleast 30.000 Norwegian Kroner (equals $ 4,500) after the rent is payed, but still they are out of money like 14 days after payday (we get payed once a month here). We who only have one income have around 12,000 Nkr ($ 1,800) after rent is payed and we are hardly ever broke.
Their daughter gets clothes passed down from my daughter, cause they rearly make her priority when it comes to clothes. It's not that she doesn't have them, but they always buy clothes that she wants (appearance is of high importance here in Norway).

I also have one more brother that has a heavy addicion to hash; he has high, conservative morals, but doesn't manage much other than sitting in front of his computer and mooch off of my mom (at the age of 30). He also has a kid that stays with him every other weekend.

With all this you may understand where I'm coming from... it's not to demoralize what you are doing... 'cause it seams like you have a good grip on your and your family's life.
(btw. I also loved the high I got from smoking, I just didn't like the addiction and what it did to me ;))

Well... I smoked... NOT a little... in my youth and I have mixed feelings about the matter. I don't feel badly about smoking and I enjoyed it when I did it. I gave it up in my mid 20s and I don't miss it. It is really NOT something I could continue to do in my work/social settings. However, I don't look down on it and I do think it should be made legal.

I haven't hid my past from my kids at all. When my kids hit their mid to late teens pot became an issue in my home. My son in particular, though I know my daughter has smoked also, took up smoking with a vengence. I wished he hadn't, but I'm not altogether sure why I wished that... Its hard to be clear here... but as a parent... I am often faced with my own "do as I say, not as I do" inconsistencies and from a purely intellectual perspective I really HATE that about myself, but my heart feels that way nonetheless. I really struggled with my response to my kids. Ultimately my head won the day (as it usually does... ultimately... heart speaks first, then mulls for awhile... then head takes over and offers up the requiste apologies lol). I said I prefer they didn't smoke because it leaves them out of complete control of their bodies, but that I *understand* the desire to do these things. I requested that if they were to partake to NEVER be on the road, never be in my home with my young kids around, and to generally be responsible. I said that they need to understand that they are breaking the law, just like when they drink underage, and that they will be held responsible if they are caught. It is a risk they are taking. Of course they knew all of that... and I won't lie... I do serve alcohol to MY kids when they are in my home (they are 20 and 19). I'm not getting them snockered or encouraging them to drink to excess, but I do definately serve them a beer with dinner if they want one.

For everyone who has a friend or relative who smokes marijuana and has social anxiety, depression, or other problems, how do you know those problems: 1) didn't come first and pot is a means of self-medication, 2) wouldn't have developed anyways. Of course, marijuana can be psychologically addictive, just like any other substance or activity. But it is not physically addictive and you cannot overdose on it - unlike certain other substances that are perfectly legal. Adults have the right to decide what's best for themselves without a government interfering.

Any kind of drug, including caffeine, is probably best not taken by children. The best way to keep drugs away from kids though, is to legalize and regulate it. Drug dealers don't exactly check ID's. I can tell you from relatively recent experience that it's usually easier for underage kids to get pot than it is to get cigarettes or alcohol.

JT,
I completely understand where you are coming from.
Many, many people have addictive personalities................others do not.
Sad, but I would wager a guess that, if your brother was given a "mellow" pill, he would probably become addicted to that too.
I would NEVER not provide, to the best of my ability, for my child. I would do w/o many things if need be............pot being one of them.
Marcy, I totally get how you feel about your past verses what you want for your children............I know I feel exactly the same way.
I talk to my child about drugs, sex, honesty, etc.....
Most parents who have a drink would still most likely tell their children not to.
I see no reason to discuss my "martini's" at this point in her life. I will, if she asks or, when the time is right.
Best I can do.
Pink, ain't that the truth! I think it is safe to say, more kids know where to get more of everything than the rest of the population:(
I do believe that nothing, even hair dye, is good for children while they are still growing.
I'll tell you something else, I am prescribed pretty hard core pills for my back but, I cannot take them at night at all..........for some reason, they reve me up.
I also need to be careful that my stomach can handle a pill on any given day.
Excuses, cop out?
Maybe.
I know that it is illegal and it does bother me somewhat but, again, I choose to be an outlaw on this one subject.
I do know that no-one should say "boo" to the chonically sick or dying about how they "choose" to cope........to me that is more of a crime than this law. IMO
Blessings, TD

Interesting posts.

In my post, I hope everyone noticed that I did not preach or moralize about pot.

I simply wanted to educate anyone that smoked it. It was the first time that I have read a study, that really had concrete data, that pot can cause some people serious problems.

Lord knows, I have so few brain cells left, that it would probably put me in a vegetable coma! :Thud:

YR, thank you for the article......I can't keep up with all of the things that are going to kill me anymore lol.:p
No, you didn't "preach".....thank you for that!
There have been many studies on this subject.....data, however solid, seems to change with the political agenda of the day.
So far, I should/shouldn't drink coffee........it goes back and forth.
Carbs.......bad....carbs........good.
Silicone breast implants.....very bad.....now?....not so much lol.
So many things to think about:confused:
Seems like people are so afraid of everything anymore that, short of putting ourselves in a bubble........something, is gonna get us.
Just sad that for hundreds of years, Indians and others have been smoking the peace pipe with no ill "mental" effects.
Now when they got into our white mans alcohol.........:(
Blessings, TD

Interesting posts.

In my post, I hope everyone noticed that I did not preach or moralize about pot.



Yes, i noticed, and i wasnt mad at you :D

ha!ha!
A little herb never hurt anybody!! LOL Why don't they just put an age limit on pot just like cigs and alcohol?? If anything pot does the least damage of them all!! :yes: It's true.
I would smoke a joint,(and DO) before ever taking medications.....most meds do more damage than anything anyways.
I'm very open about smoking herb. I don't do it all the time....but once and awhile is nice and really relaxes you. Oh and I must say that here in Santa Barbara, CA most people do smoke weed. I know tons of professionals right here in my office that joke around with marijuana talk. LOL We even had a whole article about it in our Independent magazine! It's great....I have a copy of it right here on my desk right now. LOL

LOL Bella...........people would be suprised at who really smokes.
I know so many professionals in so MANY fields.
Besides, in today's "climate" who really cares?
I wish that weed was the worst crime we have heard of..........there would be no war. Of that, I am pretty darn certain lol.

Well, my ex-husband was a cop, and he smoked. While he was a cop (at home, that is).

I know quite a few lawyers that do, and teachers, well - i could go on and on :)

I think people should worry wayyyy more about alcohol abuse, but i know the problem with pot is that its ILLEGAL...and dont get me started on that!!

Like getting **it faced, I think getting stoned is immature...and I definitely think it's a way to escape from reality and self medicate.

Before I became a Muslim my friends and I used to "chill with Bob" (Marley) on a very regular basis so I'm not on some high horse speaking about this issue from the outside...however I honestly think that people who need to get high are as desperate as people who need to get drunk...it's only that weed has some how become seen as an "intellectual" drug...although I think high people wouldn't think they sounded so intelligent if they listened with a sober mind to the crap they were rambling about when they were baked.

As for weed being safe...I don't know too many toasted drivers who drive safer than drunk drivers and while we can all name some successful folks who smoke/smoked pot we can also name about a billion convicts and criminals who also smoke pot.

I also know a lot of stone cold drunks -my uncle for one, who has an outstanding job, a huge house, two cars, and raised a decent kid...yet, are materialistic things and having a kid that hasn't been in juvi really the best ways to measure "success" in this life?

TD aren't you "high" when you're around your beautiful elephants? I know I'm "high" when I'm riding my horse...I'm "high" when I'm in the middle of the desert...I'm "high" when I'm able to make my husband crack up at one of my smart remarks and visa versa...

I know I'm coming with the "dorky" response...but I'm learning that it's kinda nice being a dork, it seems the most balanced folks in life are a bit on the dorky side...and that doesn't make them any less "deep" or intellectual, perhaps it makes them both of those things even more.

Anyway, I also know none of this will change anyone's mind just like it would not have changed my mind a few years ago..but, I have to call it like I see it now.

Like getting **it faced, I think getting stoned is immature...and I definitely think it's a way to escape from reality and self medicate.

Before I became a Muslim my friends and I used to "chill with Bob" (Marley) on a very regular basis so I'm not on some high horse speaking about this issue from the outside...however I honestly think that people who need to get high are as desperate as people who need to get drunk...it's only that weed has some how become seen as an "intellectual" drug...although I think high people wouldn't think they sounded so intelligent if they listened with a sober mind to the crap they were rambling about when they were baked.

As for weed being safe...I don't know too many toasted drivers who drive safer than drunk drivers and while we can all name some successful folks who smoke/smoked pot we can also name about a billion convicts and criminals who also smoke pot.

I also know a lot of stone cold drunks -my uncle for one, who has an outstanding job, a huge house, two cars, and raised a decent kid...yet, are materialistic things and having a kid that hasn't been in juvi really the best ways to measure "success" in this life?

TD aren't you "high" when you're around your beautiful elephants? I know I'm "high" when I'm riding my horse...I'm "high" when I'm in the middle of the desert...I'm "high" when I'm able to make my husband crack up at one of my smart remarks and visa versa...

I know I'm coming with the "dorky" response...but I'm learning that it's kinda nice being a dork, it seems the most balanced folks in life are a bit on the dorky side...and that doesn't make them any less "deep" or intellectual, perhaps it makes them both of those things even more.

Anyway, I also know none of this will change anyone's mind just like it would not have changed my mind a few years ago..but, I have to call it like I see it now.

OK, i'm immature, unbalanced, and i like to self-medicate and escape from reality :) I admit it.

I also like to call it like i see it...which means, i personally dont care what anybody else thinks of me :D

And i certainly dont think that somebody is better than me, or worse than me, because they dont do what i choose to do.

LOL Jelly,
Amina......there is such a difference between getting ****faced and smoking a little herb.
I did say "a time and a place"....and that is what I meant.
People have many, many, things they use as a "crutch" not just the "bad" stuff. I could name several but, my intention is NOT to judge or offend.
People do things for different reasons period.
The older I get the more I know that, as long as it doesn't bother me or the people I love.......and love me, I will live MY life how I see fit.
I "get high" from all kinds of natural states of being.
Many things can be deemed evil, even good words of rightiousness can become intentions for destruction.
My flaws, both physical and emotional, are my own. How I chose to handle this is, also, my own.........I would really like to think that my "beautiful ele's", if anyone, understand.
Good timing Amina.
Blessings, TD

We can try to bring in semantics but any time a person needs and external stimulant there is a problem...whether someone considers being drunk the same as being stoned is really a matter of semantics, yet in either case you have altered your natural state on purpose.

I'm sure people do things for different reasons, yet any time someone is doing drugs it really doesn't matter what the reason is...the end result is the same. I don't care if he's smoking pot cus his uncle molested him or she's smoking pot because she doesn't want to think about her car payment that she can't pay...it all boils down to the same thing, using drugs as an escape from your natural state.

I am sure you and everyone else will live your LIFE in whatever way you want to...and if you think this 80 some years is all there is to your life, then hey, knock yourself out!

As for your "I could attack you but I won't" threat...it's all good, obviously you are implying something about me being religious. Doesn't bother me at all...I'd rather be a slave to the Creator of all things than a slave to some skunked out piece of green.

As for your flaws being your own, your life being your own...I couldn't agree more, however this is a public forum and you chose to stand up and be the proud poster child for "I'm a pot smoking Mama" and so I in return also chose to voice my opinion.

It's kind of funny/sad how people will really defend their right to get toasted and get truly, truly offended when anyone says anything against weed...yet half those people never stand up for anything else. I don't think I've ever seen Jelly get so angry about the myriad threads here addressing racism, violence, terrorism, etc...yet she sure is piping hot about me talking bad about her weed.

Some how our values got seriously messed up.

As for your elephants, I meant that in a sincere way TD, sorry if you didn't "take it that way"...

OK, Amina,
Obviously, there is no need to defend myself, chonic pain, or anything else to you.
I will say that I was not going after you or your religion....just how different views, when gone unrespected, can lead to hurt.....period.
Funny how you would, during this time in my life, choose now to give your, ever so present, strong opinions. Yet, I do not see anywhere an "I'm sorry", "hope you feel better", "will say a prayer on your surgery".......nothing. Not that I need this or anything from you or anyone else who doesn't care to take the time to say a "kind" word.
Tact is always a good thing.
I have really never been "s***faced" and, although I am sure he was a really nice guy, am no fan of Bob Marley either.
Right now, I wish I could go out and party...I deserve it.
I won't as I am going to get bloodwork and pre-op stuff done today instead.
As for driving under any influence, including morans, I have a 0 tolorence...always have.
Peace

I'm actually not "angry" at all. I was agreeing with what you said was wrong with me. The only word i didnt agree with, so i didnt type it, was "desperate." Trust me, hardly ANYthing gets me angry.

Your priorities, and my priorities, are different, and again i dont think there's a thing wrong with that.

And i dont think there's a thing wrong with someone having an occasional drink, or an occasional toke, with all the other problems going on in this world.

I do much more good for this world, than bad, and that's all i need to try to live with.

I will say it again........
"I wish that all angry people, the war mongers, the racists, etc...would just take a few hits befor acting out.......who knows!
I also suppose that myself and the other people afflicted with acute and chronic pain should go for the "big guns" and take the doctors medicine instead....'cause that is so much safer :rolleyes:
I do pray that no-one ever has to feel the "discomfort" of daily pain. I would also like to think that prejudice on how a person "chooses" (quietly and responsibly) to deal with their pain would go away too!
I do think that any intelligent dicussion on most debatable subjects would, however, benefit from not using the extreme examples and cliches.
Avoidance and relaxation are two extremely different things.......I have been known to do both. Sometimes, for me, it really is better to "just not think at certain times"
One day, maybe, when I can become a more "enlightened being" as well, I too will see what I "seem" to be blinded by.

Blessings, TD

TD,

I'm sorry you're going through hard times in your life...but I don't see what that has to do with this thread, totally autonomous issues. Should I not disagree with an opinion that you agree with because you are going through a hard time in other aspects of your life? If that's the case we shouldn't ever state our opinions because for sure it is inevitable that we will disagree with someone who is going through a rough time in their life. I don't see how that makes any sense or does anyone any good. Your stance on pot is your stance on pot, regardless of the circumstances going on in your life.

FYI, not that it matters but I have followed your thread about the elephants very closely and was waiting very much for a detailed update about how your visit went with your beloved elephant from way back. I adore elephants and all animals in general and have always found a common bond with you when it comes to your passion about helping to save the elephants and all other endangered animals. I also have been following your thread about your marital troubles...in both threads I did not see what good another "I'm sorry, good luck" or "Keep us posted" would have done for your spirit, and so I just observed because I had nothing to add which had not already been said by everyone else who posted to the threads. I suppose I would assume that if one human being is going through hard times it would be a given that others would feel sorry for them and send them positive vibes...I know that if something bad happened to me even people that disagree with me all the time in this section of the board (like Sheila for example) would totally hope that things improve in my life and would never be happy that I was going through a bad spell. So...if you need to hear it, ok...but I don't see how it changes THIS particular issue, but here goes...TD I'm really sorry about your current health problems, about the current issues in your marriage, and I'm really proud of all the great work you have done and I'm sure will do to help save the elephants.

Just as a side...Bob Marley has nothing to do with this...I was simply referring to terminology that my friends and I used to use, I wasn't implying that people who smoke pot all love Bob Marley...that would be idiotic.

I'm bumpin' this up because it's my first encounter with it...

I smoked weed for 20 years of my life...until about 18 years ago. I quit cold turkey when I realized that I was numbing out every day because I was in a bad marriage. Smoking pot was allowing me to stay in it. I knew I had to make some decisions, and I wanted them to be clear headed decisions.

Stopping made me realize how bad things in my life really were...I wasn't facing them being stoned every day. It's not like I was high all day every day. I basically used it in the evening after everyone was asleep (husband and kid) so that I could relax and enjoy myself, or socially, again, to relax and enjoy myself.

Stopping changed my life. The majority of my emotional growth has occurred in the last 18 years. So I don't judge it as good or bad...it helped me through a lot of bad times, but looking back, if I had not been numbing out, perhaps I would have recognized some of the bad things knocking at my door, and not opened it.

Does it matter that I smoked 3 joints today!!! Hey I'm under crazy stress and in a lot of pain! I needed to just chill and relax. I know that a lot of people are gonna say that is not how to deal with your pain, but look I had it, and I did it! I haven't smoked in years forgot how to, I'm not doing everyday but I needed to just feel happy again and feel no pain, no worries no stress and I'm happy to say for a few hours in the last few months I felt like the old Jenny Jen again!!! :bgrin2:

Ive never done pot or anything harder than a cigarette when I was 13 and booze when I was in high school. I probably would have tried it when I was in high school if it wasnt for 2 things:

1. Seeing people who were high was ridiculously funny and I didnt want to look that way.

and

2. My friend Greg who was 14 at the time got high and hung himself.

After that drugs never had a chance with me. I dont care if other people smoke because its their lives and their choices and it has nothing to do with me.

I have been around pot smoking all my life
SO here we go
IT DEPENDS ON the person and their addictive nature not everyone can can get addicted..some can learn control.

Marijuana has been proven to help with

Nausea
Glaucoma
Multiple sclerosis AND
PAIN

I do not think it is fair that someone can say That the person is IMMATURE for doing this. Have you walked in their shoes? Unless you live with severe pain you wont understand. So is it immature to take an aspirin, medicationt he doctor gives you. Is it immature of a cancer patient to smoke some the doctor has prescribe?? is it IMMATURE to say hey WHO cares if your dying of cancer..take morphine? morphine is worse.

YOU have never heard of a pot smoker running over to kill his neighbor, beat the hell out of someone, drive and kill someone...( reports have been mixed with alchohol) NO stoners just get the damn muncies and drive to taco bell!

IT is your choice if you want to and if you dont but do not judge those who smoke it for certain reasons. You don't want to be judged do you?

I personally don't care what other people do, but will say that marijuana played a big part in the breakdown of my first marriage. I hated seeing my husband high. He became a completely different person. It was like living with a stranger when he was high.

Once again, I will add my two cents :eek:
I have smoked, on and off, since my teen years.
I took ten years off b/c I A. Didn't know where to get it and B. Was married to an alchoholic (binge drinker) and didn't want to add fuel to fire as to him understanding the difference.
I left to go to NY last week and went w/o b/c I had my child and student with me.
I will NOT defend why or when I do choose to smoke or what emotional issues are confronted or not b/c of my choices.
I will however, defend it's use for pain related use.
For me, there is not anything that works much better.
If only I could find something that WOULD allow me to be "numb" sometimes!
Depends on the person, the situation, if it is being used for pain, if it is being used to unwind after a long, physically taxing day, under-weight related usage, whatever.
I personally, have had enough reality though and can only wish the smoking could help take that away.........for me, it doesn't.
Maybe just allows me to handle my evenings a little more peacefully.......just me.
If only we could ALL find the right combination for running our lives both effectively and peacefully. WOW, what a concept!
Peace, TD
EDIT: I kind of wish that my soon to be ex would have continued to smoke, maybe his anger issues would have stayed more under control! Instead he decided to have a Jack and coke to unwind. That, for our household, created a nightmare that had to be removed!

Whoa, Amina, you go! Really articulate responses to the age old excuses for behavior. I have never "smoked" anything, including marijuana, and never will. I do have my cup of coffee in the morning. The relativists here may think that is just as bad! I think coming from a strong moral background can go a long way to keep people from doing drugs, but that is a whole other issue. Peer pressure is all invasive, and can undo any good upbringing for some. It is known that for many people, marijuana leads to other more dangerous, more addictive drugs. And even if it doesn't, it ruins one's motivation to enjoy life over time, dullens the senses, etc. I, too, have friends who have used it and still do, and is sad to see the lackluster look in their eyes, the apathy, the sardonic smile, etc.--really sad to see the change in a person that way.

I do totally agree, for some medical conditions, it is warranted. But we all know how that has also been abused in the clinics in California, where prescriptions handed out like candy. I know a very successful and accomplished businessman with terrible headaches who has to use it to just stay functional. It affords him the relief he needs to go on with life. But those cases should be in the minority.

Well, while I dont care if people smoke it, I dont allow people who do to get too close to me if they do.

When I started dating my Fiance he smoked but I didnt know it. It wasnt until we were three months into the relationship that I found out he smoked from a mutual acquaintance who invited me to a maryjane party. I told our friend that "dude, I dont smoke" and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow and said "Girl, how can you not smoke if Clint's a pothead?" So went home to talk to Fiance on the phone and come to find out that he was a habitual pot head. We saw each other that day and I told him that I could not be around people who smoked because I have always taught my children that pot was bad and have shown them by example that life is better lived without being under any kind of addictions. If I dated someone who did use a drugs then I would be a hypocrit because I would then be sending the message of "drugs are bad dont do it but hey its ok to date people who do."

He said to give him a chance and that he would quit. I didnt want him to quit for me because I dont believe that changing for other people really works, and he said that he would quit for himself, because he loves me and I was more important to him than getting high.

He's been clean for almost 2 years and he cant believe how much better he feels and how much more money he has in his account. lol

Now if only he would decide to quit smoking cigarrettes. ick!

On another note I have a son who is 15 soon to be 16 and he told me when he tried beer (corona) he didnt like it and then told me recently when he tried pot. I asked him "well what did you think?" and he said "Its no big deal and I didnt like it, Im not gonna do it again." I said "Ok thats your choice and you know what I think about it so Im not going to repeat myself. Just becareful because you just dont know what you can become addicted to until you are addicted and then its too late." and he said "I know mom, you raised me. Ill be ok."

Awwwwww, I felt all warm and fuzzy and secretly inside I was doing this :runnningaround:.