Legalize cannabis? Not so fast, say medics

Bermuda Sun ^ | June 22, 2011 | Raymond Hainey

[AustralianConservative]

Government Senator Marc Bean recently called for a debate on the merits of decriminalising drugs in the wake of a report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy. A distinguished panel that wrote the report said the war on drugs had failed and recommended partial legalization as a solution to the blight of the illegal drugs trade on communities around the world.

Not so fast, warn medics.

Side effects of marijuana can include a heightened risk of psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, damage to memory and judgement and heart problems. Neurologist Dr Keith Chiappa said: “The use of marijuana, especially in younger age groups, should not be encouraged by any legalisation and should continue to be discouraged by specific programmes.”

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Chantelle Simmons said: “Cannabis use has been shown to be associated with difficulties in thought processes in 15-20 year olds.

“When you have a young adult, whose brain is still developing, there is a five times greater risk of schizophrenia.”

“It particularly adversely affects the developing brain and it’s also closely associated with psychosis.”

The Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute doctor added: “As a clinician, I try to focus on medical implications only, but I would have concerns that decriminalization would send a message that it was okay to encourage marijuana use.”

Dr Simmons added that studies had shown that marijuana use caused higher rates of depressive illness in adult women – four times the rate of depression found in non-users.

Teenage marijuana smokers have also been found to be less likely to complete high school and more likely to make poor career and life choices.

Dr Simmons said: “People say ‘it’s only weed, it’s natural’. It is a natural substance, but it can have significant adverse effects. It can not only cause psychosis, but exacerbate existing phychoses.”

[TigersEye]

I don’t have children but I could certainly take care of them. I can speak to friends who have raised fine, responsible adults who have never taken a dime from the taxpayers. In fact they contribute a lot of taxes from their successful businesses.

[dixiechick2000]

isn’t s/b is

[ansel12]

I’d agree it is either/or, but why not fight for eliminating the government subsidy of losers rather than against individual freedoms ?

The left always gets what they want, just this once why don't you libertarians eliminate the government subsidy FIRST, before we give another body blow to our culture and social structure?

Just this once, end welfare before we pass out the dope and decay, or the gay marriage, or porn or whatever.

[LukeL]

Sure and a certain planet native to Madagascar is used in chemotherapy (Vincristine) although more than 2mg at one time can be fatal and even .5mg in the spinal canal will be be nearly 100% fatal.

Point being that one needs to extract the certain chemicals from these plants, concentrate them, and put them in a sollution so they can be used by the body. Also just because a plant has medical value doesn't mean you should eat it and vice versa.

[TigersEye]

They always defend drugs like a fired up preacher but never a man’s right to question them. They’re beyond accountability.

That is a bald-face lie and another straw man. No one has questioned your right to question them in the slightest. As for being fired up like a preacher (I take it you think that's a baaaad thing) you certainly are going hot and heavy on the subject. Which seems to be the only subject you post threads about. You just cry like a little girl when someone challenges you to drop the BS and speak to the substance of the issue.

[berdie]

I don’t know where you live, Ansell.

“You guys” aren’t pushing anything.

[TigersEye]

So you do believe in laws when they suit you? And restrictions for your choice drugs? Talk about circular thinking.

I never said anything like that so I don't know what you're talking about. Can you explain why it was necessary to amend the Constitution to prohibit alcohol and it wasn't necessary to prohibit other drugs?

Show us your amazing intellect and knowledge and explain that then you can talk about picking and choosing laws.

[ansel12]

I garden, as do tens of millions of Americans, water and fertilizer is normal, growing a high quality pot plant or two, or five, is a snap, again, that is why they can do it in vacant houses, indoors.

[I see my hands]

Yeah, like that BS. That's what I was talking about.

Being weary of tired arguments is not similar to stifling debate. And science is interesting. That's why I know about it. Who said it wasn't? You implied I did.

It's boring. See how diplomatic I am? :)

Good night.

[TigersEye]

In vacant houses indoors with hydroponics, expensive lights and a lot of time spent pruning and dealing with pests.

[ansel12]

I saw it in Austin.

[TigersEye]

“However, high-dose smokers develop pulmonary symptoms (episodes of acute bronchitis, wheezing, coughing, and increased phlegm), and pulmonary function may be altered, manifested as large airway changes of unknown significance.”

I guess I'm lucky that after 40 years of smoking pot and cigarettes I haven't developed any of that. But I could so I guess the government should control my behavior. /s

[Crim]

REEFER MADDNESS!!!!!

The Emperor Wears No Clothes.

http://www.amazon.com/Emperor-Wears-Clothes-Authoritative-Historical/dp/1878125028

I would bet good money most of the henny penny’s here never heard of John Anslinger or understand why hemp was attacked by the Dupont and Herst companies...

Although those two names might be a clue...

[berdie]

I don’t shout. I am sorry if that was your perception.

Imformed decisions? Lack of information?

Give me a break.

I grew up in ‘60s.

[TigersEye]

...just this once why don't you libertarians eliminate the government subsidy FIRST, before we give another body blow to our culture and social structure?

I'm not a libertarian so I guess I shouldn't answer that question ... but I will. What's wrong with fighting for all liberty all the time?

[Crim]

Here...lets expand a few minds:

Sarah Palin: Smoking Pot Is No Big Deal

Sarah Palin says recreational pot smoking is “relatively speaking a minimal problem” in America.

In an otherwise uneventful appearance on the Fox Business Network with Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, Palin said that while she doesn’t believe marijuana should be legalized, the country has bigger fish to fry.

“I think we need to prioritize our law enforcement efforts,” she said. “If somebody’s gonna smoke a joint in their house and not do anybody any harm, then perhaps there are other things our cops should be looking at to engage in and try to clean up some of the other problems we have in society.”

Allen St. Pierre, the director of NORML, which supports liberalizing drug laws, said Palin’s position on pot is perfectly in line with her identity as a politician.

“If you’re a populist as she appears to be, it’s maybe not that surprising,” he told AOL News in a phone interview today.

But has the former Republican vice presidential candidate ever lit up a joint?

You betcha. In Alaska, it was legal to smoke small amounts of marijuana until four years ago, and Palin has said that she’s tried it but didn’t like it.

“I can’t claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled,” she told the Anchorage Daily News in 2006.

[TigersEye]

I don’t shout. I am sorry if that was your perception.

I wasn't speaking of you specifically.

Imformed decisions? Lack of information? Give me a break. I grew up in ‘60s.

I was just responding to your suggestion that another poster was giving too much information.

[TigersEye]

That wasn’t necessary. I already think Sarah Palin is great. ;-)

[ansel12]

LOL, this is a joke, you must not garden because you are trying to make routine gardening sound like it is rocket science, it is growing a weed, except treating it as you do your prize roses, prize tomatoes, your prize Orchids, or growing our apple trees in half whiskey barrels in the desert, or growing upside down tomatoes, growing indoors under grow lights, or setting up our hydroponic green houses, it is what we do by the millions, for fun and vegetables, it is routine, and not complicated, or expensive.

[Crim]

If you can manage to not kill a tomato plant...you can grow “decent” pot...

GOOD pot on the other hand...does take a bit of a green thumb...

The point many are missing....something you can legally grow in your own back yard has ZERO value in the black market.