Author Topic: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set  (Read 585 times)

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guest18

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2017, 12:21:36 pm »
I think all of those symptoms relate to psychological addiction rather than physical addiction, but, as I said, it doesn't make a huge difference. The effects of quitting marijuana after prolonged use are an intense desire for the product (leading to irritability and anxiety and disturbed sleep); the effects of quitting alcohol or harder drugs after prolonged use are an intense desire for the product (leading to irritability and anxiety and disturbed sleep and physical sickness).

Although the physical withdrawal effects of quitting alcohol and hard drugs can be rather severe (just ask Amy Winehouse).

Offline BC_cheque

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #16 on: May 09, 2017, 06:03:54 pm »
Way back when I was a regular hippy-dippy pot smoker, I would occasionally mention that I wondered what this stuff did long term.  I was reassured by my friends that pot was positively good for you, that it 'cleared out the lungs', left nothing behind in your body, and essentially had no effect at all.  This made very little sense to me, since the whole point of pot was that it 'had an effect' and even if it were true that the pot itself did nothing to one's lungs, what about the paper it was (often) wrapped in?  My first experience with the illogic of the committed, I guess.

I did notice that about a year after I quit smoking, I was able to recognize the ways in which it had affected me mentally and emotionally, and it wasn't for the better.  But we all respond to things differently, so this is not to say that my experience was typical.   I'm not against legalization either, but I do worry about the extra strength compared to my youth and the reports of younger people having mental issues.

For the last 10-15 years it's always been a social casual thing with friends, usually when we're having drinks so the effects are different, but I know what you're talking about the paranoia which is pretty much why I put it aside as well.

When I moved back to Vancouver after a 10 year hiatus, I didn't have any connections and I was also concerned about overeating so I decided to stop.  I didn't really smoke for a long time and then a friend of mine gave me a little bag one time and I wasn't used to smoking and I remember getting super paranoid.  I kept thinking someone was in my apartment even though logically I knew my dog would bark if that was the case.  Opening the closet to look in there was a low WTF moment and I knew I'm done.

I won't say I matured out of it because I know old hippies who still smoke in their 70's, but for me it really seemed to be a youthful thing.  Or maybe the fact that I never liked going out in public was foreshadowing that it doesn't sit well with me.

I still think there is a time and place for it.  It's definitely less harmful than alcohol and I would be more worried about my kids if they turned into big drinkers than I would if they became stoners.

guest4

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #17 on: May 10, 2017, 01:15:06 am »
I think your study fails to distinguish physical and mental addiction. There are no physical withdrawal effects from quitting, even after smoking regularly for years, other than lucid dreams and maybe a mild headache.  But lots of people are psychologically addicted (which isn't necessarily any better).
More an observation than a study, really.  I personally had no symptoms related to withdrawal at all, physical or mental.  This was after close to a decade of nearly daily smoking.   

Offline Goddess

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2017, 04:38:47 pm »
https://globalnews.ca/news/3866039/commentary-steer-clear-of-an-irrational-approach-to-pot-impaired-driving/?utm_source=GlobalOkanagan&utm_medium=Facebook

I think this article makes some good rational points.

Quote
When making new laws, we can’t lose sight of what the evidence tells us about risk.

A 2015 study from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that alcohol-impaired drivers are at a far higher risk of a crash than marijuana-impaired drivers. In fact, there was no statistically significant change in the risk of a crash associated with the use of marijuana, painkillers, or antidepressants. Alcohol impairment, however, increased the odds of a crash by nearly 600 per cent.

And remember, we are legalizing cannabis not inventing it. Both vehicles the drug itself have existed for decades. Cannabis-impaired driving has been illegal for decades. There are some who seem under the impression that we’re unleashing this drug on society.

The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police released a letter this week warning of how the legalization timeline leaves “insufficient time for the full consideration necessary in the creation of the regulatory framework to ensure the safety of Albertans.” When it comes to drug-impaired driving, it’s illegal now, it was illegal last year, and it will be illegal in 2018 and beyond. That isn’t changing. If anything, the new federal legislation further clarifies and strengthens the laws around drug-impaired driving and sets out thresholds for THC limits.

Furthermore, simply because cannabis is legalized it does not automatically mean a surge in consumption, and even if it did, it does not follow that a surge in consumption leads to an increase in impaired driving. As even MADD Canada has pointed out repeatedly, Germans consume about 20 per cent more alcohol than Canadians, yet their rate of fatal alcohol-related crashes is five times lower.
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Offline Rue

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #19 on: November 21, 2017, 02:09:10 pm »
Might I suggest if someone wants a recent, up to date and thorough but easy to understabd discussion about marijhuana use they go to:


https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana/

All my info comes from the above and it also backs up the article Godess presented with some more references.

As you may already know the main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol  commonly referred to as THC. THC is known to remain in the body for days or even weeks after use and the immediately  noticeable effects of smoking marijuana generally last from 1 to 3 hours, but if eaten longer.

What there is no doubt about is that marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time, and studies have proven a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability. No one debates that.

This is why the proposed law on recreational use suggests a $1,000 fine for any level of THC in the blood stream of a driver and this is a precursor to drivers saying the law is not fair, the THC consumed was days earlier.

Let's be crystal clear. There is no acceptable limit of marijhuana. You can't draw a line and say under a certain level of blood concentration it won't impair driving ability.

With that in mind it should be no surprise Marijuana is the the substance most frequently found in the blood of drivers who have been involved in vehicle crashes, including fatal ones.

Like I said marijhuana can be detected in body fluids for days or even weeks after intoxication and because people frequently combine it with alcohol or other drugs and so without a zero tolerance policy to any level of THC confusion would be rampant in criminal or provincial highway and traffic enforcement legislation for impaired driving.

What studies have shown is that those involved in vehicle crashes with THC in their blood are three to seven times more likely to be responsible for the incident than drivers who had not used drugs or alcohol.  So needless to say the risk associated with marijuana in combination with alcohol appears to be greater than that for either drug by itself.

Studies on the increase of risk of car accidents with marijhuana clearly indicate a sizeable increase in risk but since people using smoke dope and drink together its hard to be distinctively clear between the two.

What worries me is marijuana potency has steadily increased over the past few decades

For example  in the early 1990s, the average THC content in confiscated marijuana samples was roughly 3.7 percent. In 2014, it was 6.1 percent.

Also keep in mind newer improsed methods of smoking or eating THC-rich hash oil extracted from the marijuana plant (dabbing) delivers very high levels of THC to the person. For example, the average marijuana extract contains more than 50 percent THC, with some samples exceeding 80 percent.

Add to that the fact that researchers in psychology, neurology, psychiatry and pharmacology do not  know the full extent of the consequences when the body and brain (especially the developing brain) are exposed to high concentrations of THC.

As well delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of more than 500 other chemicals, including more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC, called cannabinoids and they also have not been definitively studied.

What does exist from animal research and a number of studies in humans appears to indicate that marijuana exposure during development CAN cause long-term or possibly permanent adverse changes in the brain.

For example, rats exposed to THC before birth, soon after birth, or during adolescence show notable problems with specific learning and memory tasks later in life. Cognitive impairments in adult rats exposed to THC during adolescence are associated with structural and functional changes in the hippocampus Studies in rats also show that adolescent exposure to THC is associated with an altered reward system, increasing the likelihood that an animal will self-administer other drugs (e.g., heroin) when given an opportunity.

Everything I state above comes out of the series of articles I quoted if you want the references to the studies.

My words above repeat and summarize the article for discussion purpose but do not come from me direcly.

That said I obviously read them and other studies very much like them that say the same things.

I am concerned that legalization of marijhuana for people with cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, arthritis, lupus, chronic pain diseases where medication makes things worse makes sense. My friend gave me an edible marijhuana for my foot because I have arthritis from years of running and it took the pain away entirely and the only slight effect was a very mild buzz but I would have never driven in that state.

That said, I might consider it for arthritis if it gets really bad. Right now most times I can ignore it. Also because I am allergic to narcotics the studies I read from medical doctors suggests it will be a more prominently used pain killer as an option to opiates in years to come and they are working on edible forms and nasal spray delivery.

The edible candy my friend made I could handle. I do not smoke today's dope because I find it causes nothing but paranoia and anxiety. It could be its more potent than in my day (I am 61) or I am an old fart who doesn't break it down like I used to but for me its not a recreational option but I am a strong supporter of it being used by chronic or terminal pain patients or people with specific diseases.

In terms of legalizing it, I don't think it should be illegal but myself I favour it sold by the liquor boards of each province not private individuals. I am a huge supporter of the liquor board and its enforcing and monitor of drinking.

I also have very very serious concerns our car accident rates in terms of fatal and non fatal accidents are going to sky rocket when marijhuana is legalized. No doubt the feds and provs will get fat on taxes and driving fines but its not going to prevent huge increases in risks associated with driving. Look at how difficult it is educating people about drinking, now we have to add dope education.

My worries are with car accidents. My worries are also that since we don't know the long term impact on thc and other chemicals on the brain absolutely what we are seeing now in studies are early signs of long term brain damage associated with neurotransmission and memory.

Also marijhuana when added to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schoizophreniform, certain delusional and mood disorders, can trigger uncontrollable anxiety, psychosis, suicide, violence.

There are long term users who can get BOTH physically and psychologically addicted and some psychologically but not physically addicted.

There is also no pretending that smoking dope increases lung and heart associated diseases as well as being dangerous with blood circulation and so dangerous for diabetics, hemophiliacs, people on blood thinners, people on high blood pressure medication.

Heavy use of marijhuana is now being linked to higher rates of testicular cancer and men growing breasts.

All nice to keep in mind.

I worry with teenagers. They have a difficult enough time as their brains change from the size of a pin to a watermelon size in the front lobe which can be impacted by marijhuana use. Since many mental illnesses that can be triggered and made worse by marijhuana like bi-polar disorder, depression, general anxiety disorder and schizophrenia only show initial or early symptoms during puberty, it may be even more difficult to diagnose them as they will add to the confusion as to whether the unstable or unusual behaviour is simply puberty and/or marijhuana or the other illnesses as well.

I also think the combo of a teenager with booze and dope, or booze or dope and a car is worrisome.

What I am uncomfortable with as well is how certain special interest groups used insider connections with Trudeau to set themselves up as a monopoly once legalization transpires to control the sale of dope.

I think its unrealistic to think marijhuana sales outside government controlled marijhuana sales will go away.

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Offline Omni

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #20 on: November 21, 2017, 02:24:16 pm »
Well where I've lived, which covers most of the country, I don't see people selling home made moonshine. They go to the provincial outlet and buy their booze legally. Quality control, and no worry about being arrested. Why wouldn't pot head down the same road?

Offline segnosaur

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #21 on: November 21, 2017, 04:01:49 pm »
Well where I've lived, which covers most of the country, I don't see people selling home made moonshine. They go to the provincial outlet and buy their booze legally. Quality control, and no worry about being arrested. Why wouldn't pot head down the same road?
It probably would.  But with one caveat...There is a difference in the way both products are produced.

Pot can be pretty simple... plant some in a field, harvest, sell. Could plant a hundred acres or just a few square feet. On the other hand, alcohol production requires relatively large/complex generation facilities which work better when done to scale.

For that reason, if pot is legalized you may still see people growing their own (or buying it from street corner dealers) rather than from legal retailers.

« Last Edit: November 21, 2017, 04:03:42 pm by segnosaur »

Offline Goddess

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #22 on: November 21, 2017, 05:25:41 pm »
The US state I lived in had a "Grow Your Own" policy.  I think you were allowed up to 4 plants and they were to only be used for personal use, not selling.
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Offline chilipeppers

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #23 on: November 23, 2017, 05:26:48 pm »
Schools are feeling the affects in Colorado, they are under seige and a study has told us how pot affects young brains.

http://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/news/under-siege-marijuana-and-colorado-schools/

Offline JMT

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #24 on: November 23, 2017, 05:29:34 pm »
I have news for you - kids are already smoking pot, and in much larger numbers than you may imagine (almost all of them).

Offline chilipeppers

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #25 on: November 23, 2017, 05:32:31 pm »
I have news for you - kids are already smoking pot, and in much larger numbers than you may imagine (almost all of them).
Probably so why should we encourage them to smoke more of it.

Offline JMT

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #26 on: November 23, 2017, 07:42:24 pm »
Probably so why should we encourage them to smoke more of it.

Who did that? 

Offline Omni

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #27 on: November 23, 2017, 07:54:46 pm »
Probably so why should we encourage them to smoke more of it.

So you'd prefer to leave it as is so we can throw more of them in jail? I guess you'll be happy to front the costs of that approach both monetarily and socially?

Offline wilber

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #28 on: November 24, 2017, 12:38:20 pm »
So you'd prefer to leave it as is so we can throw more of them in jail? I guess you'll be happy to front the costs of that approach both monetarily and socially?

Who goes to jail for smoking pot these days?
« Last Edit: November 24, 2017, 01:01:24 pm by wilber »
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Offline cybercoma

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Re: Marijuana Legalization Timetable Set
« Reply #29 on: November 24, 2017, 01:42:34 pm »
It was never illegal to smoke pot. It was illegal to possess or sell it though.