The recreational use of marijuana has been glamorized over the years by such on-screen duos as Cheech & Chong and Harold & Kumar, but is the drug everything that Hollywood makes it out to be? Then again, are we being hypocritical by allowing alcohol consumption but not cannabis usage? With passionate believers on both sides of the argument, it will be interesting to see what happens when the smoke clears.
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- Cherokee Fred hussein August 17, 2008 9:23PM
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Are you serious that you think it has no negative effects? I teach at an alternative high school, and it's SO obvious who uses and who doesn't. The motivation level drops big-time. Also, most of our students who go to inpatient and outpatient go for marijuana use. How is someone who is consistently breaking the law considered a credible source? Obviously it's not hard to be an expert. Where are your CREDIBLE sites and sources for marijuana not having negative effects? I'm seriously in shock right now.
- Jewelsg88
August 5, 2009 1:07AM
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So you can tell just by looking at someone if they smoke pot? Quit your job and go to work for the DEA you'd be perfect. Most if not all your students have tried or are smoking pot. The troubled ones do? Well of course! Would you be surprised that adults with problems drink? My surprise is that someone as close-minded as you is a teacher but that's our failing education systems fault. Most of the people who smoke pot are otherwise law -abiding citizens FYI . So get some facts and skip the Holier than thou attitude. You are the one who needs Alternative education.
- Gamesman September 19, 2009 5:30AM
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Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
- From David Evans
By David Evans - Drug Free Schools Coalition
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Dangerous compared to what?
I disagree. I feel that cannabis phrohibition laws were based on fear tactics as well as racism (see Anslinger). International studies conducted since the 70s on the dangers of weed have shown it poses less of a health risk than alcohol and tobacco. The US ignores these studies and uses fear mongering tactics to demonize the frug and deny it's life enhancing/saving qualities. It promotes hunger and supresses nausea enabling those on chemotherapy from dying. It contains THC that react to canabinoids in the body that recent studies have shown to fight cancer. These studies are supressed by the federal government who never want the draconian laws changed. The phrohibition presents more of a threat in the form of not knowing what's in it (unless you grew it yourself) as well as the violence associated with contraband. The drug itself makes people mellow and dosen't impair driving as moch as alcohol and has never caused a single death from overdose. The same cannot be said about Alcohol.
- Nate August 1, 2008 6:30PM
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wow
did you know that there was a study done by the us government. ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS, TOBACCO - 400,000 ALCOHOL - 100,000 ALL LEGAL DRUGS-20,000 ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS - 15,000 CAFFEINE - 2,000 ASPIRIN - 500 MARIJUANA - 0 Source: United States government...National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bureau of Mortality Statistics. it is proven that there are minimal long term side effects due to marijuana smoking. no one has died. and it makes no sense that a legal poisonous man made drug that makes people irrational and stupid is legal - alcohol but a natural plant that has been around since before any of us were ever born is not allowed to be used and cultivated just because you in the government decide that. no it doesn't work that way ok??? - i am actually really angry at the idea that its illegal http://www.legalizationofmarijuana.com /
- donteatashoe August 1, 2008 9:13PM
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OH Really
To be brief. I am confused as to how a substance with neuro protective qualitys causes brain damage. I am also confused how a substance that I have produced an oil from,(cannabis oil) cured my basal cell carcinoma, but has links to cancer. I believe the only links cannabis may have to cancer is that it causes aptosis in malignant cells, while causing NO harm to healthy cells. OH, aptisos is cell death. I know from personal experience that alcohol can cause a very peacefull person to turn into a raging phsycotic would be killer. I, also from personal experience, know that cannabis makes that very same peacefull person more compassionate, and understanding of the plight of the people he meets in life.
- Ironman
August 3, 2008 7:21AM
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what studies used
smoking pot does not increase [ain it lessen's it.. personlly used for pain right after release from hospital for surgery.. smoking pot was alos th only thing thaat calmed the migraine the surgery created thefore i could eat and rest again . so agasin what studies where you quoting exactly?
- amawenger August 5, 2008 9:22AM
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Depends on the context/type of pain.
In my experience, cannabis tends to alleviate neurogenic pain and pain in the joints, while exacerbating, for instance, pain from skin irritation: if I'm already itchy and then I smoke pot, it may cause me to fixate on that itchiness and scratch more than I would otherwise. If my ankles are sore from exercise , however, pot helps a lot, because of its anti-inflammatory action. All depends on the type of pain you're trying to treat.
- Michael Vipperman
October 20, 2009 2:35PM
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This is halarious
No one has ever gotten lung cancer from marijuana, there have never been any deaths from the drug itself. How does it cause worsening of pain when people use it medically to treat pain.It does not cause brain damage, anything saying so is from old worn out 30's propoganda. It has been proven that not only does marijuana not cause cancer, but instead kills cancer cells. The one that gets to me most is "violence" if you have ever smoked it once you will find out that no one gets violent when high. I could go on and on about how wrong this is, while giving information from credible sources, but this simply disgusts me and I really don't wish to pursue this anymore
- Loldongs August 5, 2008 10:31AM
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Actually
I'll go on, while I can't be bothered to find sources I will have my say. Marijuana was originally prohibited because of racism towards mexicans moving into the united states because it was something they enjoyed doing. Also racism towards blacks because they believed it was the reason for "satanic" jazz music and making white women become sexually attracted to black men. The DEA keeps it illegal because its big business keeping it illegal. Far more deaths come from any legal drug or even caffeine, versus marijuana's deaths, which are 0. Alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana though it is kept illegal. Even if a person who is high on marijuana gets into a car they are far more unlikely to get in an accident because they will drive slower than normal, opposed to a drunk person who is pretty much unpredictable. If marijuana would be legalized it would mean much less tax dollars towards keeping un-violent criminals in jail, and more moeny spent on capturing violent crimals and
- Loldongs August 5, 2008 10:38AM
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cont.
away from something that someone keeps to themselves mostly. Its none of the governments business what people do in their leisure time. The hemp plant if legalized would be the next billion dollar crop. The hemp crop has many uses and is much better than cotton. The hemp plant is stronger than cotton, last longer and takes up less space to grow and will grow in almost all conditions as it is frost resistant. You can produce bio-fuels more efficiently than the soy seed. You can make paper from hemp instead of having to get down trees which take years and years to grow, where the hemp plant can make more and grows in around 120 days. There are many more things hemp can do, but I cannot find the reference sheet. Marijuana can provide excellent relief for those who suffer from cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, arthritis, rheumatism, asthma, insomnia, and depression. Keeping it illegal is illegal because policticians want to keep their wallets fat. I am finished
- Loldongs August 5, 2008 10:46AM
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Wrong
MJ helps many problems, if only to get through your day much like so called legal drugs and liquor..
- Cherokee Fred hussein August 17, 2008 9:28PM
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and wheres the evidence?
there are zero news reports other then this yellow journalism... we the people know better. wheres the pile of dead potheads? health risks...pfffft it cures cancer http://www.phoenixtears.ca /
- Enjoy Cannabis
August 27, 2008 5:06AM
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Laughable
"Recent studies show the following destructive health effects of marijuana use:
- AIDS"
Really? Marijuana causes AIDS? I saw your footnote explaining what the study actually showed, but why would you not phrase it as "complications for those who already have AIDS"? Hmmm, could it be for shock value?
- lostlo
October 24, 2008 10:10AM
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Hmmm, can you REALLY back that up?
Seriously, can you really back up your ststements without using bad, biased science?
Prove to me that ANYONE has EVER died as a direct result of smoking pot. As you sit there in your 'lounge' at home, sipping your scotch and water, can you provide incontrovertible proof of ANYONE who has died because they were smoking pot? I say "NO". Cigarettes and Alcohol are infinitely more dangerous and unhealthy than Marijuana, AND they are legal. Funny thing, they are also difficult to manufacture, and easily taxable. Marijuana, HOWEVER, is easy to grow, which makes it very difficult for the US Gov't to regulate and tax. Therefore, the US Gov't can't profit from it. You, "sir", are a blatant shill for the socialistic government that is plaguing this great country.
Either PROVE the risks of pot over alcohol and cigarettes, or crawl back in your freakin Gov't funded hole.
- tech141
October 31, 2008 8:56PM
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Do you actually read the studies that you cite?
David, have you taken the time to read the articles that you cite? I'm beginning to think that you are a paid liar. Well... actually you do use the title Esq. after your name. So, I guess you are a paid liar.
Let's take the study titled 'Cannabis-related schizophrenia set to rise, say researchers'. Sounds scary doesn't it? Want to know what the researches said about their study? Here is a quote from the co-author:
'John Macleod, co-author and academic GP, said: “We need to remember that our study does not address the question whether cannabis causes schizophrenia: this remains unclear.”
Here's a quote from the lead author:
Matthew Hickman, lead author of the study, added: “The challenge now is to improve our data on schizophrenia occurrence to see whether the projected increase occurs. This will tell us more about how important cannabis is as a cause of schizophrenia.”
Hmmm... That seems strange. It sounds like their putting the cart before the horse.
Here's one. See if you can determine whats wrong with this sentence...
'The researchers assess what might happen to schizophrenia cases if we assume a causal link between cannabis use and onset of psychotic symptoms, an association widely recognized by some psychiatrists and researchers'
This is funny, and sad at the same time. Does this actually pass as science? Assess what Might Happen if we Assume a Causal link? Widely recognized by Some psychiatrists and researchers? Widely by Some? What the heck does that mean?
Here's the site that I quoted from:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2007/5369.html
- csmith
January 30, 2009 1:09AM
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That's ridiculous
* birth defects
Then don't smoke it while you're pregnant. Nobody drinks while pregnant.
* the worsening of pain
At extremely high doses. So take a lower dose
* lung damage
Yse a vaporizer.
* links to cancer
So use a vaporizer.
* AIDS - marijuana opens the door to Kaposi’s sarcoma
So don't get AIDS.
* brain damage
At an extremely high dosage
* strokes
So use a vaporizer.
* immune system damage
Nonesense. There's no proof of this. Alcohol and unhealthy food do the same too.
* mental illness
I smoked Marijuana for a year and have no mental illness
* violence
Ha!
* infertility
Then explain all of the children of Marijuana users.
* addiction
Anything can be psychologically addictive.
- Stabby
May 3, 2009 4:32PM
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doctors are dangerous,pot is not
doctors kill over 400,000 people a year with their legal drugs. morphine and other pain relievers. lets make doctors illegal and make pot legal. anyone that criticizes pot is an idiot. 4000 years and no recorded deaths. the government has people brainwashed.
- Jackattack
July 1, 2009 4:46PM
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