[Editor’s note: This post is excerpted from this week’s forthcoming NORML weekly media advisory. To have NORML’s media advisories delivered straight to your in-box, sign up for NORML’s free e-zine here.]
The consumption of cannabis, even long-term, has a “minimal” impact on brain function, according to a systematic literature review just published online by the journal Psychological Medicine.
An international team of investigators from the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and Switzerland conducted a systematic review of the effects of cannabis on brain structure and function.
Authors wrote, “We reviewed literature reporting neuroimaging studies of chronic or acute cannabis use published up until January 2009. … Sixty-six studies were identified, of which 41 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-three were functional (SPECT/PET/fMRI) and eight structural (volumetric/DTI) imaging studies. … Only three of the structural imaging studies found differences between users and controls.”
Investigators concluded, “Minimal evidence of major effects of cannabis on brain structure has been reported,” noting that marijuana users and controls perform similarly on cognitive tasks.
According to a 2001 study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, long-term cannabis smokers who abstained from pot for one week “showed virtually no significant differences from control subjects (those who had smoked marijuana less than 50 times in their lives) on a battery of 10 neuropsychological tests.” Investigators added, “Former heavy users, who had consumed little or no cannabis in the three months before testing, [also] showed no significant differences from control subjects on any of these tests on any of the testing days.”
Let’s get this right folks! Pot smoking affects everyone differently mentally and physically. So how good is this information on testing people who are high vs. those not high?
About time! All that is needed is for the international community to give our “Czar” the finger and legalize. Our “Government” wont have much left to do besides follow suite or get ready for some serious internal revolts. 20 States already passed legislation to remind the government that they can easily claim soverenty a few more and we will have a good old civil war raging!
God Bless Americans, to hell with our government!
I am not surprised at the results. So many people indulge in cannabis without the “dangers” preached by D.A.R.E. and Reefer Madness.
My question is: How many studies like this will it take to convince the government to stop listing marijuana as a schedule 1 drug?
Excellent!
More scientific evidence confirming what marijuana users already knew.
Pot doesn’t make people stupid. Stupid people make people stupid.
the the question is, will our new drug czar Kerlikowske care? chances are, no. but this doesn’t mean all hope is lost friends. our movement cannot be stopped now. it’s only a matter of time before legalization happens. and at that moment, the entire country will ask our government head on: “what the fuck was the point of prohibition?”.
None of this matters, science doesn’t matter to kerlikowski or any of the other talking heads. Time to take back liberty, it’s unfortunate that no real political change has occurred without violence.(ghandi exception) There are too many wedges driven into america for people to wake up and quit supporting the government with their taxes. They have taken another moral highground with the environment to shield the sheeps eyes from what is important. Remember Reagan and “It’s for the children!”, Environment, Healthcare, Democracy… NO NO NO. Liberty and Republic YES and YES
While not related to this post, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer at 4:40PM Eastern just did a well done report on the legalization efforts in CA. Aside from him opening the segment with putting undo emphasis on “controversial” the segment was unbiased and ended with the mention that CA may legalize as early as next year. It was mentioned about the feds still refusing to even consider medical cannabis.
Go California and show the rest of the Nation how it is done!
Daily, but not chronic use for 6.5 years has resulted in, believe it or not, a statistically significant “increase” in my IQ. However I attribute this to increased emotional stability, which in turn I attribute to cannabis. When I’m feeling better, I function better. This study is old news to me and, I’m guessing, millions of other smokers.
It pisses me off that the US government keeps lying to its citzens despite these studies. I thought obama was going to embrace science? I guess i justed wasted another one of my votes. Obama is a lier just like everyone else in washington. We need to throw them all out!!!!
Ummm….DUHHHH! any long time smoker who has ever taken a break, as I have, would tell you exactly the same.
And we didn’t need all these studies.
This type of info needsa ot be picked up by major news outlets. The lack of such information in the mass media only perpetuates the misinformation that fuels the drug war.
LEGALIZE IT!!
The government makes up fairy tales that everyone thinks are true until legitimate studies come out proving otherwise. There are SO many studies that prove how safe this plant is and the government STILL refuses to acknowledge them. Some people have dependency problems, but name one substance in the world that no one has a dependency on! Millions of people can’t function in the morning without their caffeine in coffee. Millions of people have problems eating the right foods. If there is something that is enjoyable in the world then it is guaranteed that some people will abuse it. The gov stands on the claim that pot is dangerous, but we know that is simply not true. So what is it that they are really afraid of?
Yeahh!!! I want to start telling off politicians!!!
I do not care if cannabis rots my brain. I do not care if alcohol destroys my liver. I do not care if smoking destroys my lungs. I do not care if Ding Dongs overload my heart. It is my brain, liver, lungs and heart. I and I alone am totally responsible and fully accountable for the things I freely choose to consume or do not consume, as well as the things I freely choose to do or not do. As long as I do not violate the God given freedom and liberty of another citizen as cited and acknowledged in the Constitution of the United States, IT IS NONE OF ANYBODY ELSE’S DAMN BUSINESS, OR THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT’S AT ANY LEVEL. I suggest if prohibitionists want to run someone’s life, they should run their own; otherwise, KEEP YOUR DAMN NOSE OUT OF MY BUSINESS!
Boy is this good news. I was really worried about the long term effects of using cannabis. I,ve used since 1968. My Great Grandmother had a persrciption for cannabis extract the was produced by Eli Lilly. It came in a box that was similar to an old match box. She had a silver tray about 6 inches in diameter that stood on a 3 legged stand. Sha would put some of the powder on the tray a light a match under it. She used a silver cone about 10 inches long to inhale the vapor. I think vaporization has been in use for quite some time. I remember seeing her use this method in the late 1950’s. Medical cannabis that was produced by the drug companies was very potent and very pure. It was medical grade so to speak. Don’t we all wish that cannabis would return to those times. By the way she used cannabis to relieve PMS ( I don’t think it was called that back then).
link to study isn’t working
Legalize it?
LOL.
Getting Rand Paul in senate will help. He’s running in Kentucky since incumbent senator Jim Bunning dropped out. It may only be one pro-marijuana voice, but it’s a voice.
I remember seeing something on the news about brain structure on alcohol,coke and meth and I wondered why they did not show cannabis,now I know why
I bet the media will pick up on this survey like they did the thc levels right? right?!!?!…
Old studies…new studies…future studies…all say the same thing. SOS! Maybe if everyone E-Mailed a copy of this study to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, they might recognize “the point” with their hats off…maybe. I’m sure they count the E-Mails, and understand that each E-Mail represents a vote of non-confidence.
ithisr k tht mysrelf is yhe oposite of wht ths artiale is speking
Amazing how theres myths about how marijuana kills braincells but articles like this will never hit top story. Thats why myths as silly and inaccurate like this exist. =\
I think the most important thing to note here is that it says only when the marijuana users abstained from it for a while did they perform normally. Marijuana does stay in your system for a while and when it’s their it does cause slower functioning. Hence my favorite term in the whole wide world: “wung-over”
I think the link to “systematic literature review” is broken
More ammo for the fight,not that our leaders will listen. Hell you can point at the sun and tell’em its the sun and they will deny it is . I’m feel it nolonger matters if science shows what we already know. They wont let the money go,ours and the lobbists.
This stupid drug war will have to end the same way we will have to end the waste of taxes,public outrage. I dont know which fight is more important,but I can tell you both fights are tied together. One wont end without the other following. SO, If your are outraged at the waste of tax dollars on prohibition,also fight the waste of all tax dollars. It’ll help this fight too!
Duh its been proven over and over again that there is no scientific or medical basis for outlawing cannablis! Are you listening lawmakers??
“GOD MADE CANNABIS”!. (MAN), MADE BEER!!,AND THE OTHER CRAP!! (WHOM DO YOU TRUST)? (I TRUST HIM), WHOM SAID, I LOOK UPON THE EARTH AND SAW THAT IT WAS “GOOD”. AND RETIRED TO MY TENT TO INHALE THE FRAGRANT HERBS AND SPICES. (DON’T LET MAN BLASPHEMY THE SACRAMENT, GOD GAVE US, TO USE, TO HEAL, TO COMFORT, THE WORLD OF SOME OF IT’S WOE’S. AND TO HELP PROVIDE, A MEANS, TO HAVE A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF MATERIAL, THAT HAS MANY USES FOR EVERYDAY LIFE). PEACE!!! AL….
OH YEA, DON’T FORGET TO PUNISH THE EVIL CZAR, FOR HIS JOB TITLE IS TO LIE AND NEVER TELL THE TRUTH AND ALWAYS SUBVERT THE PROOF OF HIS LIES, AND TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY KEEP’S ROLLING IN!!!. DOWN WITH TYRANNY!!! LET’S PUT, “GOD” FIRST, THEN YOURSELVES, THEN THOSE IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, WIFE, CHILDREN, PARENTS, G-PARENTS, OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY, TOWN, COUNTY, STATE, THEN, NOT LEAST, BUT LAST, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AS IS THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE, AND TO (NOT), BE ABRIDGED OR AMENDED, BY NONE OTHER THEN, “GOD” HIMSELF. FOR NO MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE POWER OVER ANOTHER IN AN EVIL MANOR THAT DENIES THE OTHERS OF HIS FREE WILL. PEACE!!! AL…
Everytime I read these blogs,one thing comes to mind…Leaders of our great nation! Hear US! Do WHAT IS RIGHT! STOP THE WASTE! FEAR US! Or watch your political careers PARISH!
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
– Mohandas Gandhi
“THIS IS MY FINAL JUDGMENT…MY FINAL WORD.”
“I CAN THINK FOR MY SELF.”
“L” has given me his gift of love…freedom of thought,
choice, and will…freedom to believe in what I beleieve ine…not in what some serpent with its fangs sunk into me, and its coils wrapped around me want’s me to think.
“I THINK FOR MY SELF.”
It’s beyond insulting to g.Adam and g.Eve to know that they gave up their innosense for nothing…for no purpose. They paid the ultimate price for their free will…and…ultimately ours. They experienced “L’s”
gift of free choice…to eat the Forbidden Fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, to satisfy their curiosity…while disregarding “L’s” prohibition…warning them that “Ye shall die.” Prohibition = “Thou shall not.” Don’t touch it and you keep your innosense…touch it and you’re dead.
FOOTNOTE: Sounds like someone we all know in this world…trying to play God.
“L” kept his word…and…introduced g.Adam and g.Eve to “death by time”…instead of the instant version of “Ye shall die.” Their punishment was eviction from Paradise, a lifetime of eating thistles of the field, pain in child birth, and old age. “DEATH IS DEATH”…but…”L” gave them a chance to redeem themselves in the life he had given them.
“L’s” prohibition…his first and only Thou shall not…with all of “L’s” power…couldn’t make it work. Yet…man keeps insisting it will work for him, as he continually fails in his attempts. Prohibition is NOT “L’s” work…it’s evil’s doings.
“L” speaks to all of our spirits. When I have nothing else to believe in…I believe in “L”. I believe in “L’s” gift of Manna as Holy Sacrament for Communion.
So!…I say to the prohibitionist:
KNOCK IT OFF!
THAT’S FIRST
AND THE LAST
KIND THING
I’M GOING
TO SAY.
“THIS IS MY FINAL JUDGMENT…MY FINAL WORD.”
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR
ERRATIC Blog-software???
(Never received an answer to
this the last time I asked!)
COMMENTS aren’t even showing as
“Awaiting moderation…”
Are there certain “forbidden” words
and / or text-characters???
Have to sub-divide ONE comment
into several posts AGAIN!!!
#20 Rob Says:
July 28th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
“Amazing how there’s myths about how marijuana kills braincells…”
RE: Rob,
Myths need to be VOCIFEROUSLY dispelled.
IF THE TRUTH BE KNOWN…
– Cannabinoids promote NEUROGENESIS!!!
(And vice-versa…). 😉
– Allegations of brain-damage were culled,
‘cherry-picked’ from hypoxia-inducing,
smoke-studies, conducted on primates administered a
‘lifetime’s worth’ of pot-smoke, all at once!
(What would the results have been if cannabis-vapor
had been administered instead…???)
– The ABSENCE of OXYGEN,
not the presence of cannabinoids / THC
is what actually ‘killed brain-cells’…
– When will the TRUTH ABOUT CANNABIS
win-out COMPLETELY, 100% over
the LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA?!?
( (+) 3½ years is too long to wait…!!!).
Google-Search:
‘Cannabinoids Promote Neurogenesis’
NORML ARTICLE
13 – October – 2005
Cannabinoids Promote Neurogenesis In The Brain,
Study Says
Journal of Clinical Investigation article:
Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus
neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects
neu·ro·gen·e·sis
n. pl. neu·ro·gen·e·ses
Formation of nervous tissue.
#20 Rob Says:
July 28th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
“Amazing how there’s myths about how marijuana kills braincells…”
RE: Rob,
Myths need to be VOCIFEROUSLY dispelled.
IF THE TRUTH BE KNOWN…
– Cannabinoids promote NEUROGENESIS!!!
(And vice-versa…). 😉
– Allegations of brain-damage were culled,
‘cherry-picked’ from hypoxia-inducing,
smoke-studies, conducted on primates administered a
‘lifetime’s worth’ of pot-smoke, all at once!
(What would the results have been if cannabis-vapor
had been administered instead…???)
– The ABSENCE of OXYGEN,
not the presence of cannabinoids / THC
is what actually ‘killed brain-cells’…
– When will the TRUTH ABOUT CANNABIS
win-out COMPLETELY, 100% over
the LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA?!?
( (+) 3½ years is too long to wait…!!!).
Google-Search:
‘Cannabinoids Promote Neurogenesis’
NORML ARTICLE
13 – October – 2005
Cannabinoids Promote Neurogenesis In The Brain,
Study Says
Journal of Clinical Investigation article:
Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus
neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects
neu·ro·gen·e·sis
n. pl. neu·ro·gen·e·ses
Formation of nervous tissue.
This is the section of my comments
that won’t post…
Will it NOW?!?!
Med-Dictionary
neu-ro-gen-e-sis
(NOUN)
Plural:
neu-ro-gen-e-ses
Development of nerves, nervous-tissue,
or the nervous-system.
neu-ro-ge-net-ic
(Adjective)
My apologetics,
(and apologies),
for the multiple-posts:
– NEVER had a problem BEFORE
with them
NOT EVEN SHOWING as
“Awaiting moderation”
UNTIL NORML-Blog added
mobile-device capability…
(BTW: These were posted via personal-computer…)
The government acts like my 15 year old son, I say thats red he says its blue, I say go to bed at 10 he ends up staying up till 12, I say this is the song he likes, he says No I never liked it. I really think the government needs a kick in the ass, just like I had to with my son!
We can throw every study at them, prove every reefer madness point wrong and show them the right way to control instead of prohibit and not control,they just wont listen. When that first legislator loses his power, office and income, to a pro marijuana supporter, then and only then will things start to change and laws start passing.
I’ve been smoking for 36 years now, 29 of those years on an almost daily basis. There’ve been times when I’ve practically CHAIN SMOKED the stuff, smoked about as much as is humanly possible. Yet I still attained a master’s degree, have held my last two jobs for 12 and 9 years respectively, kept up on a house and mortgage. Probably most telling about how long term heavy marijuana use has affected my brain function was I underwent psychological testing for ADHD (my therapist and I were both curious) and of course I tested positive (for functional traits that have been going on since I was age 7) (and no I wasn’t smoking pot at that age). But the telling part was that I also tested over the top (in the “very superior” range) in areas of language and math performance. I had underwent similar testing at age 10 because of poor academic performance and had also tested then in the superior range, so obviously at least for me long term pot use hasn’t affected my intellectual functioning.
Pot is going to affect people differently and it’s not for everyone. That lady featured on CNN that said she was bipolar and had tried it and made her symptoms worse (in true manic fashion she hadn’t just “tried” it but went overboard with it) it obviously doesn’t work for her, but just because she can’t handle it shouldn’t mean that I should be prohibited from using it.
Some people would say I’m addicted, and maybe almost 40 years of pot smoking would indicate that, but I challenge anyone to demonstrate any way that pot smoking has harmed me or anyone around me in the least bit. My employer would be compelled to fire me if my secret habit were discovered despite my taking far less sick leave or my health care costs probably being lower than anyone in the whole company. I seldom take a sick day, I take no prescriptions and rarely even meet my deductible (which keeps going up every year).
If I were forced to quit I might need to take somethign for anxiety or depression and then would probably gain weight or become lethargic and have other side effects. Is that what they want?!?!?
another good piece of information folks. i have smoked marijuana for 32 years.i have quit a few times over the years for things like , children, church, personal change. this amounted to years off and on. i have never had a problem with stopping. ive never felt it had made me stupid,or that it changed me. people around me for years never new the i smoked mj.i have worked for a great company for almost as many years where, people i worked with never would believe that i smoked it.and i have huffed a bunch of it (grin). when my employer hair tested all of us begining in feb. this year. i was given a thirty day suspension. (luckily). thats when i changed…..my personal rights have been comprimised and i have not been the same since.its not mj that is bad, it may be some of the people who use it that create such a stereotype. just like some people who own weapons…their are those who use them against people. its all about responsibility. its not the plant that is wrong, it may be some of the people who use it although, i have never in my years as an adult smoker, ever seen any violence from people who smoke. alot of smilin, laid back kind and considerate folks who do alot of chewin as well as, intelligent,purposeful,sucessful, people with many leadership quality people who smoke mj. if we could provide more testimonies about ourselves to those who dont have a clue….that we are kind, considerate, human beings that believe in our families, working for a living, and paying the bills that we create, and otherwise follow the laws (including standing up for what we believe in to change some of them ) maybe it may make a difference considering many people read these comments who do not partake of the herbal remedy. i am a firm believer in marijuana and its comforting effects used responsibly. thanks norml for your work, but, it takes ALL of us.
oh yea and, the more people we win over, the more people to vote against this government ignorance!
Studies and scientific evidence never trump the money. Follow the money trail for the current marijuana marketing system and we would surely find that it leads directly into the pockets of the politicians who refuse to budge on government policies. Add to that the political power of police and prison industry, and it is no wonder that science and the will of the people don’t count.
Screw this government! They don’t know what is good for this country like we the people do. Anyways i got this number yesterday in a text to vote to legalize marijuana so i don’t know if it actually works but its worth a shot so here it is people call 1-973-409-3274 then listen and press the # key to vote hope everyone will try it maybe it will work who knows.
[Editor’s note: Unfortunately, calling this number does nothing to reform cannabis laws…]
For those who demand that they have the right to abuse their bodies any way they wish, with any drug or indulgence they wish. I want you to sign a medical waver denying yourself public financing for your medical bills later in your heart clogged, lung diseased, artery hardened, high cholesteraled, tumor riddled life. I don’t want my taxes used to pay for your lavish, self-indulgent lifestyle later in life when your body falls apart from abuse.
There cannot be freedom without responsibility
Hey Kasado you forgot to mention that you probably need a liver transplant from drinking alcohol and guess what i don’t want my tax dollars paying for you either. Alcohol is a freedom but usually there is no responsibility involved with it so what your saying make no sense so go back to your government job because that is probably where you work.
#43 Eric Says:
July 29th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hey Kasado you forgot to mention that
you probably need a liver transplant from
drinking alcohol and guess what i don’t want
my tax dollars paying for you either.
Alcohol is a freedom but usually there is
no responsibility involved with it so what
your saying make no sense so go back to
your government job because that is probably where you work.
RE:
Eric,
– Even though what they are saying makes no sense,
(in light of the TRUTH ABOUT CANNABIS),
a sizeable-proportion of the ‘gull-a-bull – poop-u-lace’
will STILL believe their baleful-blather…
(Therefore, they still must be vociferously discredited!!!).
– If they do hold a government-job,
I don’t want my tax-dollars paying for them,
nor for their words to have ANY perceived-validity,
nor authority, either.
Cannabinoids promote neurogenesis, and vice-versa!!!
42 Kasado
It’s not a good idea for anyone to abuse their body, but neither is it a good idean to abuse your ability to coment, Nevertheless. it is your right to comment, and I should practice what I preach, and get off your
hump.
#42 Kasado Says:
July 29th, 2009 at 9:05 am
“For those who demand that they have the right to abuse
their bodies any way they wish, with any drug or indulgence they wish.
I want you to sign a medical waver denying yourself public financing
for your medical bills later in your heart clogged, lung diseased, artery hardened,
high cholesteraled, tumor riddled life.
I don’t want my taxes used to pay for your lavish,
self-indulgent lifestyle later in life when your body falls apart from abuse.
There cannot be freedom without responsibility”.
RE: Kasado,
– There CANNOT be true-authority apart from VALIDITY.
(And you’re sadly lacking veracity!!!).
– Even though,
(by evaluation of how your post is worded),
you’re, most likely, an anencephalic,
“hit-and-run” blog-troll, never to return…
I cannot let vague, generalized-accusations,
false assumptions, go un-addressed!
– The discussion is NOT about
“the right to abuse one’s body any way,
with any drug or indulgence”,
it’s about the right to utilize a certain, specific,
WRONFULLY-MALIGNED, WRONGFULLY-PROHIBITED,
extremely-versatile, God-Given botanical, CANNABIS,
(Having a 5000-year safety-record, impossible to lethally-O.D. on),
containing CERTAIN, ESSENTIAL compounds, NECESSARY for LIFE,
INTEGRAL to proper-functioning of the human-body,
(a.k.a., the neuro-protective, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, neuro-genetic roles of
CANNABINOIDS, and the ENDO-CANNABINOID-SYSTEM).
– The fact that you mention only the four-letter, blanket-term, “drug”,
rather than referring to cannabis / pot / weed / marijuana directly,
is highly-indicative of your lack of discernment / intelligence / knowledge
about the subject at-hand…
Cannabinoids promote neugenesis, and vice-versa!!!
#42 Kasado Says:
July 29th, 2009 at 9:05 am
“For those who demand that they have the right to abuse
their bodies any way they wish, with any drug or indulgence they wish.
I want you to sign a medical waver denying yourself public financing
for your medical bills later in your heart clogged, lung diseased, artery hardened,
high cholesteraled, tumor riddled life.
I don’t want my taxes used to pay for your lavish,
self-indulgent lifestyle later in life when your body falls apart from abuse.
There cannot be freedom without responsibility”.
RE: Kasado,
– There CANNOT be true-authority apart from VALIDITY.
(And you’re sadly lacking veracity!!!).
– Even though,
(by evaluation of how your post is worded),
you’re, most likely, an anencephalic,
“hit-and-run” blog-troll, never to return…
I cannot let vague, generalized-accusations,
false assumptions, go un-addressed!
– The discussion is NOT about
“the right to abuse one’s body any way,
with any drug or indulgence”,
it’s about the right to utilize a certain, specific,
WRONFULLY-MALIGNED, WRONGFULLY-PROHIBITED,
extremely-versatile, God-Given botanical, CANNABIS,
(Having a 5000-year safety-record, impossible to lethally-O.D. on),
containing CERTAIN, ESSENTIAL compounds, NECESSARY for LIFE,
INTEGRAL to proper-functioning of the human-body,
(a.k.a., the neuro-protective, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, neuro-genetic roles of
CANNABINOIDS, and the ENDO-CANNABINOID-SYSTEM).
– The fact that you mention only the four-letter, blanket-term, “drug”,
rather than referring to cannabis / pot / weed / marijuana directly,
is highly-indicative of your lack of discernment / intelligence / knowledge
about the subject at-hand…
Cannabinoids promote NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa!!!
Another positive plus for marijuana for medicinal use. Why is that the government can send people to the moon, dive the depths of the oceans, create weapons of mass destruction (nuclear and biological), then to top it off with FDA approved drugs that do kill people and can’t establish whether marijuana has any use as a medicine. It seems like o lot of research comes from outside our borders. Our government is to busy filling up prisons and enforcing marijuana prohibition on the population, but don’t worry they do there research under the table. As far as side effects on the brain being minimal is true as far as i am concerned. After 38 years of tokin i don’t see any effects or friends that been tokin for thirty years or more either. THE NEW MOTHER NATURE IS HERE AND THE SPLENDID LADY HAS MADE HER CALL-AND THE GREEN FOOTPRINT WILL STOMP OUT MARIJUANA PROHIBITION FOR US ALL. 420 ALL THE WAY!
Neurogenesis,
I would take your complaint one step further: I would love to see public health care rationed to the point where the uninsured are only provided the barest of essential services. I would love to see an America where citizens are held accountable and responsible for the choices they make. That said, it is my body and I will do with it what I please. The issue here is that the policy in place for the control of substances is both unconstitutional and egregiously dim-witted. Studies (such as the topic of this posting) showing scientifically what we all already know to be true ought to be the basis for policy, not propaganda stemming from racist, greedy businessmen from the 1930s.
It doesn’t matter what effect Marijuana has on cognitive ability, health, or tax income. Keeping it illegal benefits the prison lobby enormously. Incarceration is profitable, scalable, and a damn strong growth industry. We build new prisons, and train prison guards, it’s great for the local economy. It’s more profitable to arrest Marijuana smokers and put them in prison than tax a dime bag at the local green apothecary. As long as there are draconian laws for us to enforce, and politicians we can lean on for our cause, You smoke pot, you are getting incarcerated. You think that just because we have more people in prisons than anywhere else in the world that we don’t want more? Do you think we only have control over people within our razor wire walls and cages? Have a problem with that? If you speak up too much, we can guarantee that your stay with us will be your final destination.
Whooooooo! Far OUT !
To Rick Seymour:
Ummm…do you understand how science works? Comparing high and non-high groups is the only way to have a valid study.
It’s a concept from somewhere around 7th grade science, a control group.
“Minimal evidence of major effects of cannabis on brain structure has been reported,” noting that marijuana users and controls perform similarly on cognitive tasks.
After reading the article, I have made my own conclusion that marijuana obviously does effect the brain, because the comment above makes no sense at all.
I have personal issues with cannabis as my 15 year old son, is becoming increasingly more reliant on the stuff. I have contacted the police, ask FRANK, social services and no one wants to help me, many of you have made maverick comments about the use of cannabis and that it should be legalised etc etc, but I can tell you that from personal experience, it effects your personal status, drive, enthusiasm, attitude.
Those of you who are Pro-cannabis are exactly the idiotic peers that my son is aspiring to be.
#49 AGJ Says:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Neurogenesis,
I would take your complaint one step further:
I would love to see public health care rationed
to the point where the uninsured are only provided
the barest of essential services.
I would love to see an America where citizens are
held accountable and responsible for the choices they make.
That said, it is my body and I will do with it what I please.
The issue here is that the policy in place for the control
of substances is both unconstitutional and egregiously
dim-witted. Studies (such as the topic of this posting)
showing scientifically what we all already know to be
true ought to be the basis for policy, not propaganda
stemming from racist, greedy businessmen from the 1930s.
RE: AGJ,
– Which complaint are you referring to???
— If it was the ones about public-health-care and those
who are over-burdeneing it with their
“lavish, self-indulgent lifestyle”,
that was #42 Kasado, making general asumptions about
everyone here, (on NORML-blog),
leading
“heart clogged, lung diseased, artery hardened,
high cholesteraled, tumor riddled” lives.
– The uninsured are ALREADY only provided
“the barest of essential services”,
unless it’s for some immediate, life-threatening emergency,
then you still have to wait, and wait and wait…
– I know how to live a healthy life, of which,
America’s health-care system
plays VERY LITTLE role in maintaining it…
– It actually comes down to SYNTHETIC vs. NATURAL, (both medicine and food).
The UNhealthier, synthetic, compromised options are less expensive, yet, are more
agressively-promoted, even mandated, over healthier, natural ones,
(that’s what I hate about this world! ).
– Why should only “YUPPIFIED” flower-children
be able to afford to eat healther organic-foods,
drive more-reliable, fuel-efficient vehicles,
live in more energy-efficient houses?
– Why should heart-healthy, plant-based oils, be drastically more expensive,
(such as olive), or even suppressed / illegal, (such as hemp),
while heart-clogging, hydrogenated-oils are still widely-used?
(Only showing as zero trans-fats on food-packaging,
(via tricky, truncated-math),
whereas the actual numbers,
(to the Right-Hand Side of decimal-point),
are still significant, albeit, hidden).
– Why should healthier plant-seed based drinks,
such as soy and hemp milk be 2 to 4 times MORE expensive
than unhealthy, sickening, bovine-lactations? (dairy-cow milk).
– Why should more effective, natural-medicines, nutritional-support and non-invasive
medical-procedures be more expensive, downplayed or even suppressed / criminalized?
(Ever notice that the majority of so-called “illegal-drugs” are of natural origin, yet,
ONLY the less-unhealthy plant-sources, themselves, are unavailable / truly-suppressed?).
– – – – –
PREVENTATIVE-REMEDIES
to #42 Kasado’s list of of disease-conditions:
Q:
Heart clogged, artery hardened, high cholesterol?
A:
Minimally-processed,
PLANT-BASED oils,
(Including hempseed-oil).
Plant-based OILS neither contain, nor raise cholesterol,
UNLIKE animal-FATS…
(BTW:
A certain percentage of cholesterol is actually NECESSARY…
in limited amounts…
for nerve-fiber-insulation and vitamin D production…).
Q:
Lung disease?
A:
INEXPENSIVE VAPORIZERS for ALL who would ordinarilly smoke…
ORGANICALLY-GROWN,
(Not fertilized with radioactive, polonium-bearing phosphates),
ADDITIVE-FREE herbs,
Not containing flavor-enhancer chemicals, (i.e. cigarette-tobacco);
Nor contaminants, (i.e. gas-tank-flavored, Mexi-Schwag brickweed…).
– The only role which the FDA ought to have concerning herbs is
is ensuring product-quality and truthful-labelling, nothing more…
– No ‘schedules’ against naturally-occurring plants;
Only apply such towards synthetic-compounds and
chemically-modified plant-derivatives…
Q:
Tumor riddled?
A:
Antioxidant Phytocompounds,
including all naturally-derived cannabinoids,
not just THC…
Cannabinoids PROMOTE NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa…
this is old news… oh wait I just spacedout
I smoked pot and it cause me a depersonalization. Pot in high doses isnt so safe as people say it is. It makes you depressed,depersonalized and it causes anxiety.
If someone wants to talk about depersonalization and weed please add me to msn its davor.molnar@siol.net
Thanks!!!
The statements that Pot affects everyone differently, as does alcohol. however alcohol has lasting physical affects on the body. This study is showing there that there is no lasting effects
Eat, drink, and be merry. Just take the responsibility when you become ill and don’t ask society for a healthcare bailout.
Vaporizers are great, but seldom used. Lack of portability.
No one will ever convince me that a life time of breathing ultra hot smoke into ones lungs is healthy for you. Whether tobacco, marijuana or even sage.
So LEGALIZE it ALREADY!!!!!!!!
ugh.
Someone send this to the US Drug Czar. That guys a totally ignorant douche. It boggles the mind that weed is still illegal, and some people(who almost definitely have never used) think that’s right. This is good news though
54 jayliggitt
If your son is 15, he’s, by nature, rebellious. The more you say don’t, the more he will say do. That’s the nature of the beast. You could allow him to speak, while you listen. By the way…if you’re going to lecture him…be sure you know what you’re talking about, because he simply won’t listen to anymore misinformation, or misinformed parents, or
authorities. Just my opinion…and…perhaps one you will reject…but…if it helps…well…so much the better.
Pot is the best drug ever, get over it
This is good but old news to people who have been smokers for years like I have. I saw the coolest movie called “Super High Me” which basically illustrates this point short term but first hand. Check it out, it’s good. I am now unfortunately currently on probation for a driving offence and get tested monthly, so I don’t smoke anymore, but I’m sure I’ll get back into it in a few months when I’m off probation. However, unfortunately, legalizing it is just going to be the first step in the battle, and while obviously, and important one, not the whole battle. The next phase is one I am also currently involved in, and that’s job searching. As I said, I don’t smoke now, so I have no problems with this right now, but it is hard to find a job these days that doesn’t drug test and not hire when you piss dirty for Marijuana, which I think is total bullshit. And I have a feeling that won’t change with most of the jobs just because it becomes legal to use, hopefully I’m wrong. I mean I know there are all these ‘cleasers’ and whatnot out on the market these days, but it always seems a crap shoot. I have had one work, and one fail. And the point is, whether or not I smoke pot on my own time should have nothing to do with whether or not you hire me, and this study just reiterats that point….
I could have told you that… Look at me now… Weeeee!
I just happened to notice that those in favor of marijuana usage, which I assume to be marijuana users, have terrible grammar, lousy spelling, and don’t seem especially coherent. I think the “studies” are junk science, probably designed by marijuana users.
#61 Kasado Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Vaporizers are great, but seldom used. Lack of portability…
RE: Kasado,
– I strongly-disagree.
Have you ever heard of,
are you aware of the
VaporGenie vaporizer?
(VaporGenie is the worlds first vaporizing pipe,
and COMPLETELY PORTABLE!)
NOTE:
I don’t work for VaporGenie,
(NOR am I being compensated by them…),
HOWEVER,
I completely agree with their
CONCEPT and DESIGN!!!
SELECTED INFO and TEXT from their website:
http://www.vaporgenie.com
The VaporGenie: The worlds first vaporizing pipe!
The VaporGenie vaporizer pipe is dramatically safer
and more pleasant to use than a conventional combustion pipe.
It vaporizers your herbal blends or tobacco instead of burning them,
thereby greatly reducing tar and particulate inhalation.
The VaporGenie vaporizing pipe gently heats your tobacco
so that it does not burn.
Tar and toxic smoke are greatly reduced.
The VaporGenie pipe provides super-smooth vapor.
There is no coughing or burning throat.
It feels like you are inhaling warm, flavored air.
The VaporGenie pipe is used with a lighter and is completely portable.
You can take the VaporGenie pipe anywhere. It fits in your pocket.
The VaporGenie pipe is not electronic. It is simple to use and reliable.
The VaporGenie pipe is guaranteed against product defects for life.
The VaporGenie pipe is a high-quality,
durable product that will provide you with
many years of satisfying vaporization.
Cannabinoids PROMOTE NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa!!!
#69 Justin Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
“I just happened to notice that those in favor of marijuana usage,
which I assume to be marijuana users, have terrible grammar,
lousy spelling, and don’t seem especially coherent…”
RE: Justin,
– It’s not just marijuana-users, those in favor of marijuana-usage,
who have poor-grammar, atrocious-spelling…ad-infinitum…
– It’s America in general;
Stoners, drunks and the so-called “drug-free”.
– The American public-educational-system is far
more to blame.
– We’re a third-world nation, intelligence-wise,
compared to Japan and certain, selected European-countries…
Very sad, INDEED!!!
😥
Cannabinoids PROMOTE NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa!!!
BBCode is the GATEWAY to HTML, Javascript and Klingon…
(NOTE: This comment-post was HAND-CODED,
without use of web-dev “helper-applications”).
69 Justin
You obviously have an external disorder of a internal manifistation.
#72 Rebel with a cause
What’s a maniFISTation??? 😆
Did you mean to type “maniFESTation???”
Cannabinoids PROMOTE NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa!!!
BBCode is the GATEWAY to HTML, Javascript and Klingon…
(NOTE: This comment-post was HAND-CODED,
without use of web-dev “helper-applications”).
HogWash Bull…Marijuana makes people lazy, creates mood swings, and creates an urge for other drugs. I have seen it with my own eyes, also Marijuana makes the girls undress quickly for fornication and adultery.
Save the lies for the comic central or the comedy channel, clown researcher probably was smoking weed during their research.
Weed Kills!
73 Neurogenesis1:29
You’re correct…I meant “fest.” But…”FIST” must be on my mind.
NEUROGENESIS
No way am I paying $55 for a pipe
#74 Anthony P. Says:
July 31st, 2009 at 8:04 am
HogWash Bull…
Marijuana makes people lazy,
creates mood swings, and creates an urge for other drugs.
I have seen it with my own eyes,
also Marijuana makes the girls undress quickly for fornication and adultery.
Save the lies for the comic central or the comedy channel,
clown researcher probably was smoking weed during their research.
Weed Kills!
RE: Anthony,
Are you effin’ joking?!?
(vocal-inflections of sarcasm
don’t translate well to print / text,
so I assume you’re NOT joking),
No laffin’ matter, ashwype!!!
– Cannabis has varied effects upon individuals,
depending upon specific-ratios of THC to cannabidiol,
and the particular individual, as well.
(Some people are “lazier”,
more disfunctional WITHOUT IT!!!).
– The lack, (rather than presence of), cannabis creates
the urge for other, more dangerous substitutes.
See
Drivin’2Drink
4MoreInfo
Hard-drugs,
(INCLUDING ALCOHOL, as well as crack, meth and opiates),
make the girls, (women), undress far more quickly than pot!
– Alcohol / strong-drink, is always the specific disinhibitor mentioned
(for purpose of more easily-enabling fornication / adultry),
in Scripture…
Not to be extrapolated to milder relaxants…
– Please, learn the truth about cannabis,
or else, may you die at the hands of,
as a result of, alcohol / drunks!!! 😈
NOTE:
Initial, deliberate orthographical-erratum,
courtesy of Miss Spelling Intentional. 😉
Cannabinoids PROMOTE NEUROGENESIS, and vice-versa!!!
BBCode is the GATEWAY to HTML, Javascript and Klingon…
(This comment-post was HAND-CODED,
without use of web-dev “helper-applications”).
#76 Kasado Says:
July 31st, 2009 at 9:10 am
NEUROGENESIS
No way am I paying $55 for a pipe
RE:
– Neither am I, Kasado.
However,
– If I had the extra $55,
I would,
(for this specific design),
though…
#75 Rebel with a cause Says:
July 31st, 2009 at 8:42 am
73 Neurogenesis1:29
You’re correct…I meant “fest.”
But…”FIST” must be on my mind.
RE: That’s what I figured, Rebel…
74 Anthony P
You say…”I have seen it with my own two eyes.”
What two eyes? Did you have your glasses on? Did you see it with eyes that couldn’t see…or…hear it with ears that couldn’t hear? You’re certainly talking with a mouth that has no meaning.
BULLSHIT!!!!! Smoking cannabis makes you MUCH cleverer. This article could even be misconstrued to imply that the difference was the other way round. (By non-smokers).
Ah 74)”Marijuana makes the girls undress quickly for fornication and adultery.”
Well what the hell is wrong with that? Are you gay or hate sex? God wants us to have sex you know…
Alcohol really is better for getting chicks in bed you know. Pot really doesn’t work that well for that but if you think its “bad” well what can I say? You would rather people go to jail for a harmless plant? Ugh!
well, as a 30 year pot smoker. I know that there is a definate differance between the thirty yrs i smoked pot and the now as of Nov. 5th / 2009. 6 yrs i have NOT done any drugs other than perscribed by a Dr. and I always hated pills (still do). there is a definate improvement in my memory functions !!! I used to look for things I had in my hand for hours and couldn’t find. (untill I looked in my hand) would lay something down and Never find it again. put things up so they would NOT get lost. (and never see them again) and now this dosen’t happen to me any more? so you decide whats the differance? I’m not against smoking a lil pot but anyone that somkes pot (that will admit the truth) will tell you that the same things happen to them all the time. I dont think that hurts you but it does affect your short term memory alot. that is where they should spend their government grant money so they can fix the short term memory problem and then legalize it for all to enjoy !!! OH but they can’t do that because they make too much money off of those court cost, fines, legal fee’s, and puttin people in jail for something that was here when we came to this OVER TAXED, OVER POLICED, OVER RULING, FREEDOM LOSING, RIGHTS REMOVING, COUNTRY WE CALL The United States Of America. DAMN I THOUGHT WE LEFT A PLACE JUST LIKE THAT TO START A FREE COUNTRY
Hey America, wake up!!!! Marijuana is the least harmful drug out there, certainly better than any of those nasty prescription drugs that doctors hand out right and left leaving those who take this crap feeling worse than they did before they took them. There are no side effects from marijuana as compared to the chemical based drugs which has many.marijuana should be legalized, it’s a natural herb put here by God for crying out loud. I trust God before I trust any pharmaceutical company or doctor. The United States Gov’t. needs to wake up.
wow, science finally proves what the public already knows. Give it 10-15 years, and I bet the government will prove it with their studies!
#42 what the fuck is public financing to pay ones medical bills ? I dont think you have the slightest idea what you,re yappin about! Oh you mean welfare ? Nationalized death care? Fuck you and your high horse I,ve been in the health care industry for years and have never seen anyone w/mj caused hardening of the arterys ,and have never seen anyone that has (fallen apart) due to mj consumption ! Id gladly sign a waver cause you can take my place in line @ the local VA where I get sub standard care for my service connected disability ! No one here is intrested in abusing their bodys Thats why we choose mj over BIG PHARMYS poison !From your mean spirited post its obvious you are probably suffering from some mental disorder ! so fuck off! And you too #74 Moron ! !!! weed never killed anything ! the only dope arround here is you !
P.S. to post 80
74 Anthony P. I tried with everything in me to forget what you said…”Weed Kills.” The only thing that kills is your post…”IT KILLS ME WITH LAUGHTER.” Please, make some more posts…I need a good laugh today. HA! HA! HA! In your face.
Forgive me Lord…Anthony has a right to his opinion…
he just needs a blessing.
steveyboy
Who really knows what causes disease or any other other malady? You say that mj never causes any of them. How do you know? Does anyone ask about past drug use of their patience during examinations? And if they do, why would anyone risk loss of health insurance, employment, or even their freedom by telling the truth?
Sorry, but your shrill, irrational, hateful ranting does nothing for the cause of legalization.
Oh also, I don’t want to pay for your medical bill when you have a brain aneurism due to your crazy blustering.
Hey krassado ,I dont have all the answers like you , but all you have to do is open your eyes to the side effects of these pharacecuticals ,they’re worse than the (cure ) I have seen the devastating effects from rushing these drugs to market ! And again from my own experience, has had very little adverse side effects ! How many of these (mainstream drugs ) have been recalled ? too many to list here ! If mj has no medicinal value then why do the pharma companys try to make synthetic versions of this god given herb? For the money ! In God I trust ! not this government , not big pharma , not pola-trick-sters ! And dont worry about paying my medical bills , I dont ask for anybodys help in any way ! Hows that for blustering?
Hey Krassada P:S Please dont try to tweek the conversation by mis-quoting posts , I dont believe I every said the phrase (NEVER CAUSES ) I said, I’ve never seen ! So lets be specific ! Shall we ?
88 Kasado
There are now something like 17,000 studies on cannabis. What does it take to get it in your thick skul…17,001. I don’t think any of us are going to get through to you. You have a closed mind…and
…that’s your WALL. You really don’t seem to be an advocate…but…you are entitled to you opinion…as ridiculous as it is. I don’t mean to insult you…but
…open your mind and let some fresh air in.
All this ranker over a call for responsiblity for ones actions. I love it! Maybe it will force some to drop their Cheetos, stop watching brain numbing TV, get off their couchs and fight for their freedoms.
#81 Rebel with a cause Says:
August 1st, 2009 at 7:57 am
74 Anthony P
You say…”I have seen it with my own two eyes.”
RE: Rebel,
Sad to say, it sounds like Anthony’s
THIRD-EYE is atrophied and / or calcified…
🙁
93 Kasado
Now your talkin’…and…now I’m listening..and…
you’re absolutely right. We must take responsibility for the results of our actions. If we don’t…we become the beast…trying to defeat the beast.
Denying responsiblity makes use victims of our reality
94 Neurogenesis1:29
RE: 94 your post…93 Kasado…95 my reply.
I don’t know yet. I think he’s got the picture.
At first I thought he had occulo-colanitis…you know…when your eyeball gets attached to your asshole…and you get a shitty outlook on life.
We’ll see.
94 Neurogenesis
First…I meant 74 Anthony P.
Second…I mean colonitis…with an “O.”
Third…I’m not clicking on any cylinders this morning. Too much information to process this a.m.
Its not just the “government” who wants to keep it criminalized, its the police, the lawyers, even areas like agriculture, drug and clothing industries benefit from the prohibition of marijuana.
Its against their best interest because they either get funding from the government to enforce pot laws, or are benefiting as pot could run their products out of business.
heres a great video why pot should be decriminalized, and goes into what i talked about above. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meciIVRznyU
the government is bullshit completely they are simply faces to the power the power is big bis. pharma…, insur…, tobbaco, oil, and even the milk industry. these companies are running our country we have lost our rights and freedoms and they have wiped their ass with the constitution so many have fought and died to build and protect now what are going to do about it play games talk shit and hope they make laws to our wants well keep trying i wish itd work they wont money talks and we dont have the money so why would they listen even if all us pot heads pulled our monthly stash money to put into a congressman’s pockets it still would be enough these people or i should say coperations control theser people and will continue to do so as long as we continue on the current path we are on only way we will ever change anything is for the mass to stand up and say no more and take back our country fuck the goverment long live the consitution
As a long time smoker, I can only speak of how it affected me. My once, almost photographic memory went down to a fog after three years of daily smoking. Ten years ago I stopped cold turkey after daily smoking for 15 years, and it’s taken daily supplements of fish oil o bring me back to about 75%.
During this bout with weed, I stopped maturing emotionally and settled for stuff that I didn’t settle for both before and since. It’s like I was stuck in a place in life and didn’t realize it until I was no longer under the influence. I lost a good 15 years of my life, sitting on the couch with my head in a fog.
I definitely do not miss it.
Debi Davis
I think that from the looks of it this was a sound experiment. Your comparing the structure of two Brains one that is high versus one that isn’t. If this is true then as we all know well enough Marijuana is nothing but a plant just like Tobacco is but has FAR LESS dangers than Tobacco. With that said, Legalize it already. Geez. Just cause we don’t grow the shit don’t mean we can legalize it and tax it. Politicians need to realize how much revenue this could potentially bring in.
RE: #102 Steven,
– It’s not really about cannabis vs. tobacco,
it’s about the right to utilize a God-Given plant,
whether it’s cannabis, tobacco or basidiomycetes…
– The method of its administration, when and
how often it’s partaken of, how it is grown,
what its fertilized with… are stronger determinants
of its relative danger(s) / safety…
– Every factor considered, all of the above ought
to be allowed, (never prohibited), be taxed and
regulated if sold / dispensed in a retail-manner;
– Free for one to grow and utilize for one’s self,
(personal responsibility applies here…)
never blame the plant-compounds / plants for
personal-stupidity…
– Some politicians think it’s a “bad idea” to
garner revenue from what they see as possibly
“dangerous”, “addictive” vices, merely because
of desperate economic-times.
– HOWEVER, bringing these “vices” ABOVE-GROUND
allows the “dangers” to be managed more effectively
and minimized…while availing revenue-streams
to do so…
Debi,I am not sure where you are coming from. I have smoked marijuana virtually every day for 35 years (I’m 52), have held work as a programmer, technical support technician for a larger manufacturer and an IT manager for a White Plains security and never have had my smoking cause me ANY cognitive issues. You might consider a functional MRI to make sure that your frontal lobes are fully functional. Do you drink? How does that affect your Photographic Memory? Why deny me my vaporizer? I don’t come and spit in your Merlot. Besides, why let a few facts get in the way of your anecdote?
I will find a way to make this plant legal somehow i will not give up the fight i have been smoking a long time now and i know the real deal they are making me go to rehab for it now have not toked in a month i feel no withdraw but my body’s ache’s and pains have returned m.j.is a nice(alt)to the nasty pills they try to shove in my mouth and i liked the no side effect cept getting hungry sometimes jesus the gov. is just down right evil the only green they know is a stupid piece of paper F*** them i won’t do what they tell me!(rage against the machine:)
This studddy was goo d two weed couse it proves that I am not stuped. I now am over 50 y/o and I smoked cannabis offand on my hole life and I have quit a lott oftimes for work and whem I got kids and my wife sad “stopthatsmoking” I held lots andlots of good jobs and I work good. So sometimes I sreel smoke and sometimes I dint and I isok and have good kids that dint no I abide in it. Thankyou for putting this studdey on my pc and I hop that the govermenit getsit and leves people likeus a lone. Rock on>
me
weed in my mind ye weed in my brain , i wana get high leagalize it
my story…
when i was 11 years old i first tried weed it was pritti tasty you see and now i smoke it evryday through a bong or pipe or jus spliff either way i am high i am in school writing this rite now in ict i smoke tha dutch dutch stuff iz gd shit , i am going to try and get my friend birdy to do weed evry day in his relient robin and i wil race him in mine when i am high and he is high and it will be gd shit and then foyce will come along on a moped and get knocked of coz he is to high to ride it… it will be some quality shit and will be funny as… i am writing this because i am bored as i am going to get my mum high 2nite and feed my lil sis and bruv weed on their b days jus so they can be happy and lil bruva hu isnt even 1 yet weed and am gona make hi mdo a lung and then give the ol wolner boi a spliff on the go and go for a spin down the orad on a pedle and pop when im high and beat birdy in his relient robin. 🙂 bye bye love caz
The biggest risk marijuana carries with it, is getting caught. Legalize the shit already, its just stupid, im in college and i do all my shit, deans list all day. But i get bored as hell and what better thing to do than spark up, i love the shit its the ultimate boredom killer.
Put plainly, if you smoke marijuana your probably not going to end up going crazy, or turning into a drug addict, or join a gang.
But you will be perfectly ok with sitting on the couch doing absolutely nothing for hours at a time.
And you might also get arrested for it
These are the real only dangers to marijuana.
Well said, Marijuana has very little effect on over all cognition and brain function when normal users are compared to non users. Obviously there are some tendencies to be lazier or more lethargic but for some people that might actually be a good thing. As for some of the e other commenters talking about how Marijuana is a gateway drug and how it makes you want to use other controlled substances is complete garbage. The gateway argument is propagated by conservative people who view marijuana in such a negative light they equate its as tantamount to cocaine, speed, or crack use. Often times these are the same people who have never used marijuana and are ignorant on the subject in general. For more info on marijuana check out http://mrbuds.com .
All in all marijuana is a positive substance that causes more good than harm out of every controlled substance out there. LEGALIZE IT!!!
Its nice to see so much information on legalization showing up in all forms online. America is closer than ever to seeing the drug war overturned.
NIXON STARTED THE WAR ON DRUGS
NIXON IS HATED BY EVERYONE
WHY DON’T PEOPLE HATE THE WAR ON DRUGS?
oh they’re sheep, my baaaaaaaaahd
also
cannabis IS a gateway drug in the sense that, once you start smoking it, you hang around with other smokers
and people who are usually on HARD drugs usually smoke the ganja cos it helps with comedowns/feels good man and has no effect
then PEER PRESSURE OMGFGJFGHINPO;SNK
yeah, gateway my arse
I disagree with some points and agree with others. After using marijuana for 6 years and then being marijuana free for the past 2 years, I can confidently say that marijuana does, (for some people) make you stupid. Iv done some brief research on the topic of ‘How does marijuana affect the brain’ and have come by some interesting points. People have stated that marijuana has made them smarter; it helps people with ADD to focus better; it makes people think more clearly when high; brings out ‘creativeness’ in some people. These are very good opinions, considering that everybody infact does react differently to this substance. As a user for 6 years, marijuana has truely impacted my brain for the worst. I have ADD, and weed made it worse. I never got good grade before I started using and I still didn’t after I started using. I could never remember any information that was taught to me in school, and I could never remember what i did the day prior to the present! Dont hold me to this, but I have heard that “the state of mind that you are most confortable in, will positively impact your performance in most activities that you do.” Therefore, if you are most comfortable in the ‘high’ state of mind, then you will perform best while you are in that state of mind. It’s a very logical opinion. Here again, everybody is different. If you study high, and take the test high, then you might get good grades. Iv tried it years ago and it did not work for me. Try it for yourself and see the outcome. On another note, marijuana does indeed help you to connect with other people that you normally wouldn’t find yourself connecting with. I dont know if it is due to the fact that two people want to get high and put their thoughts and opinions aside for the 10 min. of smoking or what, but i have definatly found myself in that situation more than once. After being drug free for two years it is safe for ME to say that I have definatly changed for the better. I am smarter now, more open minded and I have the will to WANT to learn. Before, when I use to smoke I had no desire what so ever to learn or do anything that involved education. Lets just say I learned the hard way. Now I am in college, able to read a book and interpret it, able to find out the main idea of a text, and able to do many other things that I wasn’t capable of doing before. Enough about me though, experiment for yourself what using and not using is like, and then analyze the results. You might be amazed, or you might be the same. Give it a shot, you’ve got nothing to lose.
I agree that people react differently to marijuana. I believe that it depends on the person and your mind set. I didn’t do that well in school but i noticed that when i started toking, my grades increased. I would actually pay attention to classes i usually found boring. Doing lame things were less, lame. Going into work i knew what i had to get stuff done and I was more efficient. I would have months where i didn’t smoke and everything became like it was before, boring and tedious. Assignments were less of a drag to do when high, also i was more creative. This is all personal experience so might not be for everyone.
I have found no harm and the only reason people don’t want to legalize it is cuz of money.
What is a dollar really? It’s just a piece of paper that the man tricks people into believing it has value, when really it holds no value and is only imaginary just so the gov can keep control.
ALright i have been a chronic smoker for 5 years now and I do know it has effects on me.. i have quit a couple times usually a 2 week period and i can say after this 2 week period i felt more motivated and less distracted.. i kept smoking afterwards of course i like how it makes me feel:) i can also say it is addictive i dont care how many people say its not ive probably smoked more than them beings as i smoke about 4 grams a day everyday. the side affects of the addiction are loss of appetite, (happened everytime i quit)depression, and definatly insomnia. Dont try and argue this with someone who has gone through it many times:) of course i still smoke. im recently goin 6 days sober because of a possesion charge and i have slept for probably 14 or so hours, ya not good. it is addictive it is a drug. im not saying it should be illegal like many have said alchohal and tobacco are both legal and deadly:) i had to post this, im tired of other potheads (me saying “other” because i am one:)literally lying to themselves and other people that its not addictive and that there is no harm. i personally wake up everyday coughing with flem and you people are trying to tell me thats supposedly not bad for you? its something that makes me laugh i dont defend it at all our kids probably shouldnt do it and people just need to realize ITS A DRUG! ps i gaurantee i can take a bigger bong rip than the person whos gonna try and argue with me saying pots good:)
Most of you have missed an important point. The study finds no differences in subjects after the have quit using for a week. Those who use regularly may never reach this one week abstinence period are living with some effects of marijuana on a daily basis. The most significant effect will be a reduced ability to learn and remember. While this may not be an issue if you smoke occasionally, if you smoke daily for months or years, your learning over time will be significantly delayed compared to non-users. Our learning as teens is obviously very important. Missing months of years of school will have a serious impact on later achievement. Even for adults, failure to learn for years at at time will affect their quality of life compared to their non-using peers.
legalize it, ciggerets are alot worse. Zero people a year die from marijuana, billions die from ciggs
i have been smoking almost everyday for about 2 years now. I go to a collage prep school and get a’s and b’s in all my classes. Getting good grades has never been hard for me even no i despise school and all that it stands for i get good grades anyway to keep my parents for bitching at me for smoking pot. all and all weed enhances my creativity and it enhances my awareness. I notice how fucked up everything is and question it instead of just sitting idly by and just except things for the way they are. I think pot is natures way of telling us get up look around you what’s wrong here? For starters were wasting millions on a war on drugs , while millions are starving in the streets. Weed is the problem ,we are.
i have smoked marijuana everyday for abt 9 years. at about 20 years old i started having siezures which have stayed with me through meds and testing(still working on it) i do have memory problems, pretty severe, but im not sure if that is due to the marijuana or siezures.i have only not smoked for a total of a month and a half so im not to sure if its the siezure meds or the marijuana because the memory problems started shortly after the siezures so i imagine its the meds. my husdband and many friends are avid smokers and none have the memory problems i have. the nuerologists that i have seen tell me the marijuana has nothing to do with my siezures, but does it with my memory, or is it the meds and the marijuana together? if there is anyone that is or has experienced the type of thing im going through please let me know and give me your story, thank you
Okay well compare that to any long term use of anything, hamburgers, salads, t.v. umm exercise, to much of anything is bad, there’s one thing you can’t have to much of and that’s CHRIST, I say liquer and beer are worst, that’s my opinion
Once again I am disappointed by the incompleteness of a marijuana study. I have and continue to read studies which describe both cognitive performance of marijuana users as well as provide information about their character and or personal lives e.g (depressed, low income, etc)
I see no evidence of control as to strain (THC,CBD, alt cannabinoid dose)
Altered states of consciousness need to be studies as such. We cannot compare the behavior of dosed patients to their normal sober behaviors. The change in perception or reality causes both immediate perceptual effect as well as lingering observations as the effect passes or increases. To study the cognitive effects of marijuana is like studying a differential equation of a patient’s perception of the world around them. The cognitive effects of marijuana on any patient are so grossly unpredictable and change with dose. Until we can quantify a person’s sense of “responsibility,” we are just trying to catch smoke.
I am a 22 year old weed enthusiast who benefits greatly from sativa blends and doesn’t care much for indicas in the slightest. To say I have changed as a result of my behavior would be an understatement,but to describe the ways HOW it changed me would be presumptuous and a terrific waste of time.
To conclude: Cognitive studies aren’t worth the time. There are all different kinds of people out there and some of them do manage to make it home from the bar without incident. Glad to know there are 143,678 studies each for and against the safety of heavy cannabis use, BUT IT WILL TEACH THE READER NOTHING about himself or herself.
Altered states of consciousness are ALTERED and should be reviewed as such. Please!! Stop taking the word of strangers and make a decision for yourself. This is an experiential phenomenon. Gather your own data and decide for you and your family or shut up. These studies are not useful for those who have experienced the effects of marijuana and are misleading for those who do not. One more “marijuana” study and I think I may just throw up.
The bureaucrats that depend upon the drug trade both legal and illegal, will never allow their jobs to end for the good of the country. We live in a plutocracy that doesn’t care about you or me, just power and all it’s trappings.
What everyone really needs to realize and remember is that everything you will ever encounter in your lifetime is a mind over matter situation. This includes weed. If you let it takeover your life, like alcohol does to alcoholics or crack does to crack heads, then yes it will have some bad effects on you. But if you’re like me and you have a bowl or a blunt to wind down at the end of the day, it’s no worse than a glass of wine, a beer, or a couple of cigs. I’ve been smoking weed everyday for the past 2 years for anxiety, depression, and because I am a manic bipolar. Let me say from my own experience, that in comparison to to 3 different kinds of drugs they started off giving me the weed not only works wayyyyy better than all those damn pills but, I feel like it’s a safer alternative. Aside from that, the weed’s effects are temporary; I get through my day as a mom a wife and a full time legal assistant, then I usually smoke every night before bed, chill on my high for 2 hours and go to sleep. I do not have issues with learning or remembering any more than the average busy mom/wife, and MJ actually helped get me through law school, on a B average nonetheless, so anyone who bad mouths weed saying that it makes people more stupid, is ignorant. I don’t let weed run my life and it has been nothing but beneficial to me. Like I said it’s mind over matter.
One more thing; The mind over matter stuff applies to the debate on whether MJ is addictive as well. I personally don’t think it is, but I rely on it for mental illness, so I won’t debate anyone on the topic of addiction.
I’ve been smoking marijuana for the past 20 years. No more for me. Over the last two years I have developed severe fatigue,memory loss,concentration problems, loss of appetite and weight loss, muscle and joint pain, sore mouth and throat. I’ve lost interest in things that were extremely important to me.
With all the chemicals added to pot, I feel, I have been “poisoned”, you might say, by said chemicals added to pot. Comments are welcome, Be careful.
Well this has certainly been interesting, mostly because the people who seem the most militant about how great mj is are also the ones with the most grammar and spelling issues. This is making me rethink my position of supporting mj. I have smoked for over 25 years but I am no longer so dishonest as to pretend it is harmless. When people say pot is less harmful than some other mood altering substance they have already lost the argument but are too high to understand why. It’s like saying a bomb is more deadly than a gun. That is not a viable argument. The fact that so many people have had a negative experience with it is sufficient reason to NOT present it as “harmless”. People do not suffer from things that are harmless. The fact is that there are 8,000 people a year that go to the emergency room because of what they feel is a marijuana overdose. I was shocked when I found this out. I was convinced that was not possible. I have a high school friend who is an ER doc that told me about it. When he and I were remeniscing about school I was struck by the fact that in school we were about the same academically speaking but now I have been breaking my back swingin’ a hammer for 30 years and he’s an ER doc. And, you can guess which one of us only smoked a couple of times in high school and which one of us made a career out of it.
Smoke weed everyday!!! No but really have fun, smoke weed – just don’t do it everyday otherwise you’ll end up like me – a turd burglar
It’s all about how you let it effect you. I have smoked weed everyday for three years. I work 40 hours a week as an insurance salesmen. ( youngest person in the company)I have the best meomory by far out of all my friends and has been effected very little by my marijuana use. However, alcohol has caused me to forget whole night of my life. If the worst thing that is going to come from the daily use, is that everyonce in awhile i am going to forget where i put my keys then i am cool with it. The people who let pot run their lives and can’t get off the couch, are just lazy and use the MJ as an excuse and a crutch. It doesn’t matter how much you smoke, if you want to be successful and you work hard than you will see very little negative effects from it. Also even if it’s not harmless or non- addicting it’s still far less than basically every other substance.So for those of us that need a little help in our day ( which from coffee to heroin almost everyone does ) marijuana is the best option.
My story… Marijuana is a drug, but its less harmless then smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol. I have been smoking since i was a 14 and been smoking for 3 years now. I have had an overall 3.0 gpa throughout highschool I have been playing baseball since I was 5 and it has not effected my school work or my sport. The one thing that I dont like about smoking marijuana is the effect of muscle growth and the making of muscle which is decreased. Unlike most people on this blog I have not experienced memory loss (short term). and for the last person above you cant overdose on cannabis its been proven, also for your friend the ER those people who came in for thinking they overdosed they were having anxiety issues
I am 52 years old, and have been smoking Cannabis for 37 years. From my experience, it has not caused any problems for me at all. I can still “run the categories” on Jeopardy, and have never had “cravings” for it when not smoking for extended periods. One study I saw out of Europe stated that Cannabis smokers had less chance of getting lung cancer than NON SMOKERS… that is people that have NEVER smoked ANYTHING(tobacco, etc.). The reason for this is Cannabis has regenerating qualities especially in lung tissue. It helps the alveoli(air sacs) keep their elasticity. Also studies have shown that it delays Alzheimer’s disease in those hereditarily pre-disposed to the condition. I have a insomnia and RLS. I also have a father that died with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. I also smoke tobacco, which I readily admit I am addicted too. Cannabis is the best fix for all my conditions/situation, yet it is illegal for me to obtain, grow, or use (SC). I am MADE a criminal and have to deal with seedy people to obtain my medicine. It is ridiculous. Alcohol is legal. The time has come for National Legalization at the Federal level.
ive been smoking weed for just about 7 years straight. for years it was allday everyday. it was my mission, wake up, get high, rinse and repeat. over the last year or so, negative effects have become more and more apparent. cognitive impariment. difficulty with memory, anger, cravings, and as of late.. paranoia when i smoke. my heart will start beating quick and even when im sober.. my thoughts have become oddly paranoid. i will say, i dont believe that pot affects many people this, but for me.. it did. and yet i still struggle with smoking it. for me, its more than a mental addiction since its been such a part of me for so long now. i believe it helps some, and hinders others. it should be everyones own right to decide whether or not they smoke, but i think ppl should be more aware of the negative effects it has when starting young.
If pot has become “part of who you are”, then this is a psychological addiction and you are not objective enough to comment on how it physiologically affects yourself or others.
If you are unsure of why you are behaving a certain way, you are setting yourself up for disaster when some authority arrives and convinces you that your behavior is wrong (authority could be anything, a doctor, parent, even your own conscience). That can be applied universally. Instead of admitting a weakness of character, it is FAR easier to pass the blame on to the behavior and condemn that, so your ego need not suffer.
“Know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories.”
Great article. I will be dealing with many of these issues as well..