Research helps dispel marijuana myths

Sober Talk ^ | Thursday, August 1, 2002 | By BECKY CLARK, MSW, CSW

[tacticalogic]

And to his argument, I would add further that alcohol, while potentially inebriating, does not necessarily impair your judgment or functioning, as long as it's used in moderate amounts. (Reasonable amounts vary from person to person, of course.) In other words, alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly and w/o any ill effects.

Pot on the other hand, affects the user from the first "hit"--and with nary a physical benefit besides deadening some physical pain. For that, one could just as easily take Tylenol.

Do you have a source for that? I haven't seen any clinical evidence to support it. Is there some threshold dosage of THC that once you exceed it you suddenly go from sober to stoned, or are you stoned the moment the first molecule hits your bloodstream? I do know that alcohol is a general anaesthetic, and as such dulls all of your senses, including your ability to perceive your own impairment.

[Dakmar]

Marijuana can be used in moderation also. A couple hits does not affect ones judgement on anything more important than whether or not something is funny or tastes good. Furthermore, marijuana is simply not potent enough to cause a persons basic view of right and wrong to be altered, the way abusing alcohol can. I'm sure all of us have seen what is normally a nice, normal person turn into a dangerous lunatic from consuming too much liquor, the same cannot be said for pot, it simply is not a powerful enough substance.

[apochromat]

... the end justifying the means ...

It's the modern statist's approved form of immediate gratification.

[laredo44]

But let's face it: if you want to be self-reliant, and participate in life and citizenship to the best extent you can...well, it helps to have a clear head to begin with!

We seem to agree on a great deal and yet be diametrically opposed on this. Perhaps one reason is that I don't think being the best you can implies constant attention to being clear headed, and 100% participation in citizenship and other civic duties. Rather, recreation and distraction provide an escape that enhances our overall capabilities rather than diminshes them. The notion of a company providing paid vacation to its workers began when employers found out they could produce more over 12 months by working 50 weeks and resting two than by working all 52 weeks. When you get into the realm of relaxation, the individual is the best judge of how to accomplish that.

What lots of people conveniently forget though, is that with freedom comes responsibility

I really doubt so many adults really forget that. I'll go even further and specify that liberty and responsibility may be different forms of the same thing. Certainly, my liberty is constrained when others are irresponsible. Just as certainly, I cannot have true responsibility if I do not have liberty.

[tacticalogic]

It's the modern statist's approved form of immediate gratification.

Actually, I think that's been true of statists throughout history. I think the modern version is "It's for the children".

[4Freedom]

Again, that's apple and oranges.

You're talking about you. If you haven't been arrested for committing any crimes, you're not part of the statistics we're talking about.

The dope fiends that are out there robbing, burgling, thieving and gang-banging on a daily basis and being arrested for it are part of the numbers that we're talking about.

Legalize drugs and they'll probably do more.

No light-side Jedi do recreational drugs. I don't even remember reading that any dark Jedi, Sith or Night Sisters ever did recreational drugs.

That's not the Jedi way. ;^)

[JediGirl]

"it really trips ya out, dude! It's like you're there, but your mind is like, gone!"

sounds more like acid...

[JediGirl]

How many pot smokers do you estimate rob for a bit of weed?

[jayef]

So rapid onset is the issue. You like your drug to sneak up on ya slowly, is that it? I prefer the Mike Tyson left hook to the Lennox Lewis jab if that's OK with you? My question is, what difference does any of that make? It's all a matter of dosage. Just because you are stoned out of your mind on one hit, doesn't mean we all are. Some of us like a slow and steady pace, some of us like to get there right now. Sort of like the difference between drinking a beer and drinking a "red headed slut".

[tacticalogic]

No idea. I've never tried the stuff. But folks I know who have, tell me "it really trips ya out, dude! It's like you're there, but your mind is like, gone!"

There are people here telling you that isn't necessarily the case. Why take one at face value, and totally disregard another?

As for alcohol, I imbibe several times a week and I rarely, if ever, drink enough to feel any physiological effects. It's all about body weight/mass, etc. And I'm not even a really big guy either! I'm just cautious--because I have had hangovers in the past (wild college days--yikes!) and they are not fun.

Like I said, it's a general anaesthetic - the first thing it does is to dull your feelings. When you drink alcohol, the last person that's qualified to be an objective judge of wheather or not you're impaired is you.

[Ken H]

Thank you for a straight, unhedged answer. It's refreshing.

However, I must point out that you have placed Federal law above the Constitution in your priorities.

I would think that would be unacceptable to any conservative or anyone who reveres the Constitution.

[jayef]

That's hilarious. But in a sad sort of way. Sounds like you have formulated your judgement about the marijuana experience from some real airheads. Ever speak to someone with some intelligence who smoked bud? I can think of far more creative ways to describe it. In fact, they get even more creative the higher I get.

[newcats]

This is what MJ defenders keep saying, but c'mon! Booze doesn't leave any permanent or long-term damage to mental functioning

Can you supply any documented scientific proof of your assertations?.....
Care to comment on Cirrhosis of the liver...a well documented result of alcohol abuse? Or fetal alcohol syndrom?

[4Freedom]

That's not the point.

How many car thieves smoke pot? How many will stop stealing cars, if you legalize pot?

How many armed robbers, burglars, murderers, hitmen, gang-bangers and prostitutes smoke pot?

How many will stop, if you legalize pot?

[jenny65]

"The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that 34 percent of Americans have used marijuana in their lifetime and 5 percent are current users."

I guess the fact that Potheads are in the minority might make it harder to get Marijuana legalized. This is good news!

That should read: "5 percent are admitted current users."

Actually, I seem to recall polls stating that a majority of Americans are for decriminalization. It's the hard-core WODders such as you who are in the minority.

[newcats]

Where do you get the drugs, who supplies them?

I can't speak for everybody, but I buy my marijuana from a drug dealer.

I personally get the majority of mine from my shed in the backyard....originally from a field about 35 miles from me.
About as victimless as you can get. :)

[laredo44]

i don't think i answered your question

I don't suppose it was particularly clearly stated (I was hoping you could untangle it). But I will try once more, in the unlikely event I'll prove more lucid.

Given that marijuana exists, would we be better off, as a society, and as individuals, if we,
A. Outlawed it as something harmful, or
B. Did not outlaw it and let people choose whether or not to use it?