If you could smoke a plant to help you relax, would you do it?

[Taco John]

vote.

[Nightwish]

For the moment, I have to vote no, but only because there's no option for "Yes, if it is legal." Of course, I'm assuming you mean marijuana, because I don't know of any other plants reputed to have a relaxing effect when smoked, except tobacco. And I flat out won't smoke tobacco.

[Taco John]

Overall, I'm curious about the relative morality. I'm reading Scientific American Mind, and there's an article in it this month called "Smarter on Drugs" in which they discuss the many "smart" drugs in clinical trials and are expected to get to market in less thaqn five years. In the article they suggest "A nation of Harvard graduates may seem insane, but basic science suggests it's not far fetched."

[Taco John]

For the moment, I have to vote no, but only because there's no option for "Yes, if it is legal." Of course, I'm assuming you mean marijuana, because I don't know of any other plants reputed to have a relaxing effect when smoked, except tobacco. And I flat out won't smoke tobacco.


I'm less interested in the legality issue and more the morality issue. "Yes if it's legal," is the same as saying "yes."

[WoodDraw]

Sure, as long as it is safe.

[Nightwish]

I'm less interested in the legality issue and more the morality issue. "Yes if it's legal," is the same as saying "yes."
In that case, consider me a "yes." Morally, I have nothing against it, as long as it isn't dangerous.

[tiptap]

Oh to be in Amsterdam (or Denver or BC)

[Taco John]

In that case, consider me a "yes." Morally, I have nothing against it, as long as it isn't dangerous.



New Study: Marijuana Users Less Depressed
http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr20051117.html


Pot not a major cancer risk: report
http://tinyurl.com/9anoj


Marijuana Not a Factor in Driving Accidents
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin/19990329a.asp



I still don't understand how the people allow for the government to mandate the prohibition of this plant.

[jAZ]

I don't think pot should be illegal... but I voted no (even though I voted yes on the pill one).

Pot still has some major, major problems (memory loss, congantive impairment, etc), but they aren't substantially worse, IMO than excessive drinking.

But at the same time, I don't drink excessively either.

[Taco John]

Indeed, but the question isn't whether you would do it in excess... But rather would you do it at all...

Personally, I believe that anyone who wants to smoke pot already is. I don't believe society would change substantially if it were made legal. Additionally, I don't believe it will ever be gone. I think we're wasting resources on this plant that coule be used to stop actual dangerous drugs... not to mention stimulate our economy through the production of hemp products.

[CRONUS]

If not for the absurd situation that it would cause me to lose my security clearance and thus my job absolutely. Drug morality laws are among the most arcane and inane laws we have to live with in the US.

[jAZ]

Indeed, but the question isn't whether you would do it in excess... But rather would you do it at all...

Personally, I believe that anyone who wants to smoke pot already is. I don't believe society would change substantially if it were made legal. Additionally, I don't believe it will ever be gone. I think we're wasting resources on this plant that coule be used to stop actual dangerous drugs... not to mention stimulate our economy through the production of hemp products.
Well, "excess" for something like pot (or drinking) is a moving target, but daily (which is typically what a pill requires) is the beginning of "excessive".

So what we are faced with is beginning at the edge of excess. And with the tollerance buildup that is very common, literal excess isn't a big step away.

I wouldn't use it to relax because I think you would likely need to do it in excess to obtain such a regular effect.

I guess if you only need to "relax" once a week or something, I'd certainly see that differently. If you had to use it as often as one does prozac, I'd think it a very good idea to find another way.

All of this is coming from someone who doesn't have much trouble "relaxing" on his own... so my context on this is a bit disconnected from the subject itself.

[Taco John]

Relax is a relative word. "Recreate" is probably more accurate.

[Old Codger]

If not for the absurd situation that it would cause me to lose my security clearance and thus my job absolutely. Drug morality laws are among the most arcane and inane laws we have to live with in the US.

I think that our policies on mj has encouraged a lot of people to switch to the much "heavier" drugs..They are out of your system in 2-3 days rather than 3-4 weeks.

[patteeu]

Sure. Are the pharmaceutical companies working on something like this? ;)

[Radar Chief]

I still don't understand how the people allow for the government to mandate the prohibition of this plant.

Agreed. :toast:

[kregger]

New Study: Marijuana Users Less Depressed

I still don't understand how the people allow for the government to mandate the prohibition of this plant.

Same way we allow them to strip our civil liberties with the Patriot act.

[Rausch]

I do every day.

[Rausch]

Same way we allow them to strip our civil liberties with the Patriot act.

Remind me how YOUR LIFE has been directly effected by the Patriot act...

[redbrian]

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hspot1201,0,5554289.story?coll=ny-health-big-pix

Pot, schizophrenia link
Study shows that smoking marijuana may put adolescents predisposed to mental disorder at greater risk

BY JAMIE TALAN
STAFF WRITER

November 30, 2005, 10:10 PM EST

A teenage brain on pot looks frighteningly similar to the brains of adolescents with schizophrenia, according to a new study.

While it's too early to prove a connection, scientists at North Shore University Hospital-Long Island Jewish Healthcare System caution that marijuana could be a match that ignites an underlying genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia.

Scientists have long debated whether drug abuse triggers schizophrenia, which in males usually appears in late adolescence, or whether the illness itself can lead to drug abuse.

"It is the story of nature vs. nurture," said Manzar Ashtari, an associate professor in radiology and psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and a scientist at LIJ's Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks. "If there are people who are vulnerable and smoke marijuana, they may be putting themselves at greater risk for developing severe mental illness."

Robert L. Balster, an endowed professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, said while more research is needed, "studies such as this are very important in providing new leads for possible brain mechanisms that could be involved in drug abuse and its frequent association with mental illness."

The studies at Zucker Hillside were done only in males because females tend to develop schizophrenia later, in their mid-20s and beyond. Ashtari suspects the developing brain in late adolescence is at greater risk of environmental damage.

"Whatever insult is happening, it is taking place in brain regions still under construction," said Ashtari, who presented her findings yesterday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting in Chicago.

The scientists conducted several brain scan studies in teenage marijuana smokers who used the drug daily for at least one year; in adolescent schizophrenia patients who didn't smoke marijuana; in schizophrenia patients who also use marijuana regularly and in healthy, nonsmoking controls.

Ashtari and her co-investigator, child psychiatrist Dr. Sanjiv Kumra, found that a brain region called the arcuate nucleus, a bundle of fibers that connects the front of the brain to deeper regions, is underdeveloped in both schizophrenia patients and in marijuana users. While the lack of growth seems to be only on the left side in these teenagers, schizophrenia patients who also abuse marijuana showed problems on both sides of the brain.

Ashtari said the arcuate nucleus is critical to higher cognitive functions.

The message, said Ashtari: "Don't put yourself at risk, especially if you have a family history of schizophrenia or severe mental illness -- especially when the brain is still growing."
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.

[Rausch]

I don't mean to downplay any possible risks from smoking pot but alcohol abuse can also lead to depression and other psychological disorders and chemical imbalances.

Misuse of anything is a bad idea...

[Cochise]

Remind me how YOUR LIFE has been directly effected by the Patriot act...

When I opened a bank account today, there was a sign right on the desk that said 'USA Patriot Act requires ID for new accounts'.

I felt so violated.

[Taco John]

Remind me how YOUR LIFE has been directly effected by the Patriot act...


I personally find that to be a weak line of logic for subverting any liberty whatsoever. My life isn't directly affected by the right to bear arms (don't have any guns), but I still believe in this right. My life isn't directly affected by the right to due process, but I still believe in this right.

[Taco John]

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hspot1201,0,5554289.story?coll=ny-health-big-pix

Pot, schizophrenia link
Study shows that smoking marijuana may put adolescents predisposed to mental disorder at greater risk




I, myself, am strongly against adolescents taking any drug, let alone pot. Their neural nets are nowhere near developed enough to handle any recreational drug responsibly. But prohibition isn't the way to keep it out of their hands. If you want to find pot in this country, find a local high school. If you want to find hard liquor, you're going to have to show some ID.

[unlurking]

If not for the absurd situation that it would cause me to lose my security clearance and thus my job absolutely. Drug morality laws are among the most arcane and inane laws we have to live with in the US.
I'm in the same boat, so TJ, don't state that everyone who wants to already is. I'd rather the occasional smoke than the rum to tell you the truth.

[memyselfI]

I'll take the fifth on if I have and do...

[Taco John]

So then, would you suggest that there would be a significant and lasting rise in the amount of marijuana consumed in this country should it be made legal?

Is there that much of an governmentaly quashed demand for this stuff? Myself, I believe the government has been laughably ineffective at keeping weed out of the hands of whoever wants to get it. And as far jobs go, I don't imagine that there are a whole lot of places who are going to rush to change their own drug policies, even if it were made legal.

[patteeu]

I personally find that to be a weak line of logic for subverting any liberty whatsoever. My life isn't directly affected by the right to bear arms (don't have any guns), but I still believe in this right. My life isn't directly affected by the right to due process, but I still believe in this right.

I, myself, am strongly against adolescents taking any drug, let alone pot. Their neural nets are nowhere near developed enough to handle any recreational drug responsibly. But prohibition isn't the way to keep it out of their hands. If you want to find pot in this country, find a local high school. If you want to find hard liquor, you're going to have to show some ID.

Two strong posts, back to back. I agree on both counts.
:clap:

[Taco John]

Two strong posts, back to back. I agree on both counts.
:clap:



I knew there was hope for you yet, libertarian brother... ;)