Views on marijuana

[Sanouske]

There are pros and cons to smoking it, but I don't think it is wrong. I have been known to smoke on occassion from time to time. Usually at parties or with my friends. We have a good time and always get some good laughs so I don't see the harm as long as we don't abuse/over use it.

[cloudmaster88]

I guess so if you want to get brain damage by smoking marijuana, don't you know marijuana kills brain cells?, why do you think they made it illegal in the U.S. because people don't know how to control their addictions...and they end up doing something stupid, winding up retarded, or dying...the facts...don
t lie marijuana should never be allowed...

[Sola]

Smoke up guys! Seriously, if itl keep you off heavier stuff go ahead. Ive got no problem with it, though I dont do it myself.

[crystalgazer]

There have been recent studies showing that marijuana can cause permanent brain damage, increases the risk of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and can even lead to people having psychotic episodes; basically that this drug is not as benign as some claim it is, and for these reasons I don't think I can ever accept marijuana being legalised.

However, I do agree that it is terribly hypocritical for the government to legalise damaging recreational drugs such as alcohol and tobacco while banning marijuana; and I guess there is some merit in saying that if it were legalised, the government at least could have some control on what people get their hands on, and perhaps this could lead to people having to use a less damaging product or something. This seems a little far-fetched though.

I do agree that if the cannabis plant has true medical benefits it should be studied and exploited as such, and that it wouldn't create an ethical problem; I mean, morphine is an opiate like heroin; you need opium poppies for both, and not wanting to research cannabis because it makes an illegal drug would be the same as saying that morphine should be banned because one of the most destructive illegal drugs known is made from the same plant. I'm particularly excited about the new research that says that a property of cannabis could help Alzheimer's sufferers.

[EPDJ]

Originally Posted by crystalgazer

There have been recent studies showing that marijuana can cause permanent brain damage, increases the risk of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and can even lead to people having psychotic episodes; basically that this drug is not as benign as some claim it is, and for these reasons I don't think I can ever accept marijuana being legalised.

I have seen study after study become false after years of further research. Not all reports are accurate. Also, that could easily be propaganda used by the government for their "war on drugs". This is one of those subjects that gains this sort of attention and will continue to do so... do not be surprised to see contradicting evidence come out soon.

But, if you have a link to this study. I would be glad to look at it. More then likely, this "research" company is being funded by an anti-drug corp. Anyway, I can not say it is incorrect until I see the article and find out more information on the source of this document.

[Sanouske]

Originally Posted by cloudmaster88

I guess so if you want to get brain damage by smoking marijuana, don't you know marijuana kills brain cells?, why do you think they made it illegal in the U.S. because people don't know how to control their addictions...and they end up doing something stupid, winding up retarded, or dying...the facts...don
t lie marijuana should never be allowed...

That is such a typical answer. Alcohol kills brain cells to you know. In my opinion alcohol is worse for you than marijuna. The main reason being it is far more addicting. You hear see stories all over about how alcohol ruined a persons life because they couldn't stop drinking. It is pretty rare to see a story like that about marijuna. Also people do way more stupid things when they are drunk. People way over exadurate about how marijuna makes you do dumb things.

[scoutz]

in Holland its not illegal (but also not legal^^), its allowed in some places. I think it should be allowed, i don't smoke anymore. i used to when i was in highschool it was fun for a while but if you want to get somewhere with your life you shouldn't be smoking weed ^^

[playa_chan]

Originally Posted by scoutz

in Holland its not illegal (but also not legal^^), its allowed in some places. I think it should be allowed, i don't smoke anymore. i used to when i was in highschool it was fun for a while but if you want to get somewhere with your life you shouldn't be smoking weed ^^

you are right ...i mean about that last part...<.<

[mercer_sensei]

that all depends on where you want to go in your life, most jobs do drug test, but a great deal of jobs do not drug test, so, no drug test, no worry about smoking ganja or not

[crystalgazer]

Originally Posted by EPDJ

I have seen study after study become false after years of further research. Not all reports are accurate. Also, that could easily be propaganda used by the government for their "war on drugs". This is one of those subjects that gains this sort of attention and will continue to do so... do not be surprised to see contradicting evidence come out soon.

But, if you have a link to this study. I would be glad to look at it. More then likely, this "research" company is being funded by an anti-drug corp. Anyway, I can not say it is incorrect until I see the article and find out more information on the source of this document.

I couldn't find any links to any full studies per se, but I have these links to journal articles:

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12363
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070731125526.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10607

I accept that reports could be wrong, but there seems to be a lot of these sorts of studies floating around at the moment, stating that marijuana is perhaps more dangerous than we first thought. In any case, until they're proven wrong by future studies I think I can trust them; by all accounts the studies were conducted by universities and other non-governemt, disinterested third-parties; there's no good reason for them to 'lie' in order to give marijuana a bad name that I can see.