Quote: As support for legalized recreational marijuana use increases, some have warned that there is presently little research indicating the effects of low to moderate use of the drug. However, the results of a small but sobering study released in April by several Boston-based researchers have shed light on the damaging effects of even casual use of the drug among young adults, according to the Society for Neuroscience.

The results of the study may hold import for colleges and universities, which struggle perennially with binge drinking, drug use, and the subsequent host of negative decisions.

The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, which compared high-resolution MRI brain scans of recreational marijuana users aged 18 to 25 with those of nonusers, found significant abnormalities in the left nucleus accumbens and the left amygdala of marijuana users, even those who smoked just once per week. These regions of the brain are responsible for pleasure and reward, processing memory, emotional reactions, and the assessment of negative consequences.

Previously, the only existing studies on the subject had applied to those who smoked excessively—for example, once per day for approximately three years. This study targets those who smoke only a few times per week.

From a moral standpoint, Dr.Taylor Marshall has made a Thomistic argument against the use of marijuana, asserting that it inexcusably inhibits man’s most God-like faculty—rationality—thus diminishing users to the level of beasts. He distinguishes it from alcohol, the effects of which can be graduated, and from medical use of marijuana and similar drugs. He ultimately concludes that its use is immoral. Even his critics, who consider the effects of marijuana to be as graduated as those of alcohol, concede that the drug’s recreational use is not altogether benign.

Scientists agree that while the study examined only a small sample, its results encourage deeper study and a greater dissemination of information. “There is this general perspective out there that using marijuana recreationally is not a problem —that it is a safe drug,” said co-author of the study, Anne Blood, in a News.Micarticle. “We are seeing that this is not the case.”

It is yet to be seen whether the expected growth in research on the topic may begin to curtail some of the marijuana use that has been on the rise since the mid-1990s.

http://eagnews.org/study-sheds-light-on-...ed-adults/

They needed a study to find this out? Really?

I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

just because it's legal (in two states) doesn't make the use of it smart.

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

Nothing in this post really addresses the detrimental effects weed has on people or society as a whole. It's just personal feelings based on your own personal use.

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

Pot is psychologically additive. Especially in social situations. The younger you are the worse it is. The brain isn't fully developed until about age 25. Pot or any intoxicant, interferes with that development. Permanent damage can occur. Ambition is affected for a lifetime for heavy users. IMO

Decriminalize dope and let the normal market force of the private sector do the governing.
Sure, you can smoke pot and do meth… but don’t expect to get/keep a job.

Because there are a lot of people out here that don’t want a burnout
delivering our packages, piloting our airplanes or making our burgers.

(08-19-2014 09:46 AM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

Nothing in this post really addresses the detrimental effects weed has on people or society as a whole. It's just personal feelings based on your own personal use.

Well, I am agreeing that it had detrimental effects on me, physically.

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

And I know people who could stop drinking on a dime. I had a hard time with it. Cigs... I gave those up on a whim and never struggled..

It's unwise to use your experience with *a* drug to make a blanket statement that it is not addictive. As someone who has family in the addiction and recovery field I can state that there are people who end up addicted to MJ.

(08-19-2014 09:52 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:46 AM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

Nothing in this post really addresses the detrimental effects weed has on people or society as a whole. It's just personal feelings based on your own personal use.

Well, I am agreeing that it had detrimental effects on me, physically.

I remember

(08-19-2014 09:46 AM)oklalittledixie Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I will say this... take it FWIW.

I believe marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, but like any substance, it should be used in moderation.

(I want to preface this by saying that I don't smoke weed anymore. Personal choice.)

When I graduated from college and got my first corporate job in Charlotte, I began smoking weed regularly. I'd say I smoked 2 or 3 times a night after work. I would also smoke basically all weekend, every weekend. I smoked every single day for probably 3 years, unless I ran out and my source didn't have any, either.

I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things. My memory went kaput. I also wasn't as quick-witted as I used to be. I spoke more slowly than I used to. I also didn't remember any of my dreams for 3 years. (Weird, but there's info online about that.)

I haven't smoked in a few years, and I feel like I'm back to 100%... but I guess I'll never really know if smoking so much weed back then did any long-term damage to my brain.

Anyway...

Nothing in this post really addresses the detrimental effects weed has on people or society as a whole. It's just personal feelings based on your own personal use.

Similar effects as alcohol.

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things.

Could be that you have a hard time remembering how addictive it was.

And most alcoholics will say that they can stop whenever they wanted to as well

And I know from direct experience how addictive it can be, and the more serious drug usage it can and will lead to. I have seen it happen over and over again.

(08-19-2014 10:28 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things.

Could be that you have a hard time remembering how addictive it was.

And most alcoholics will say that they can stop whenever they wanted to as well

And I know from direct experience how addictive it can be, and the more serious drug usage it can and will lead to. I have seen it happen over and over again.

Haha touché.

However, I've never bought into the "Gateway Drug" theory. I never had any desire to do anything more than smoke pot. Some people just have addictive personalities, and I guess I'm not one of them.

I struggled kicking the MJ habit and nearly ruined my life with it. I have struggled my whole life with cigs. Booze... no problem.

(08-19-2014 11:11 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  I struggled kicking the MJ habit and nearly ruined my life with it. I have struggled my whole life with cigs. Booze... no problem.

I smoked pot for about 10 years. Quit with no ill effects. Smoked tobacco for a longer period and also quit with no ill effects. I believe some folks just are genetically disposed to addictions...some are not.

I plan on returning to occasional Cannabis use after retirement...unless it is legalized before that. I favor legalization..but...it is not that important to me. If I want to use Cannabis? The law is inconsequential to me. I believe I could use in the safety of my home and never have any problem with the Law Enforcers.

(08-19-2014 10:34 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 10:28 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 09:40 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I know for a fact, from first-hand experience, that marijuana is not addictive. I could stop at anytime, cold-turkey, if I wanted to. The only "withdrawal" would be boredom. Haha

However, I did begin to notice that I was having a hard time remembering things.

Could be that you have a hard time remembering how addictive it was.

And most alcoholics will say that they can stop whenever they wanted to as well

And I know from direct experience how addictive it can be, and the more serious drug usage it can and will lead to. I have seen it happen over and over again.

Haha touché.

However, I've never bought into the "Gateway Drug" theory. I never had any desire to do anything more than smoke pot. Some people just have addictive personalities, and I guess I'm not one of them.

I think a lot of the gateway part has to do with the mental state of the person. If someone does weed to "escape", then they will likely gateway into other drugs to escape as well. Like you, weed never affected me in that way, probably because I had nothing to escape from. Its probably the same reason some people can drink without issue, and others became raging alcholics. If you are drinking due to a mental state, then you will likely abuse it.

Pot is indeed a gateway drug.

Some pot users are subject to delusional paranoia, even schizophrenia, as well. And it is not related to the fear of getting caught.