This is what a lot of you want to legalize? I know what you're going to say - you're going to say you want to legalize it for adults and not kids. But kids will learn to believe it's normal and are only being kept away from pot due to some arbitrary age distinction and they'll think nothing of the hazards. In their minds pot use will be OK.

Sure it is.

Quote:Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.

Researchers in Chicago observed the brains of teenagers who were heavy users of marijuana. In those individuals, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink and collapse inward, possibly indicating a decrease in neurons.

These abnormalities were recorded two years after the teens stopped using marijuana, possibly indicating long-term effects, and look similar to schizophrenia-related brain abnormalities.

The brains were shaped more abnormally for individuals who began marijuana use at a younger age, according to the reports, which suggest that memory regions of the brain are more susceptible to the drug at earlier ages.

(12-18-2013 07:28 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  This is what a lot of you want to legalize? I know what you're going to say - you're going to say you want to legalize it for adults and not kids. But kids will learn to believe it's normal and are only being kept away from pot due to some arbitrary age distinction and they'll think nothing of the hazards. In their minds pot use will be OK.

Sure it is.

Quote:Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.

Researchers in Chicago observed the brains of teenagers who were heavy users of marijuana. In those individuals, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink and collapse inward, possibly indicating a decrease in neurons.

These abnormalities were recorded two years after the teens stopped using marijuana, possibly indicating long-term effects, and look similar to schizophrenia-related brain abnormalities.

The brains were shaped more abnormally for individuals who began marijuana use at a younger age, according to the reports, which suggest that memory regions of the brain are more susceptible to the drug at earlier ages.

As a former pot smoker (occasion only) and friend of heavy pot smokers (everyday pretty much), that sounds about right. Couple of my friends went from abnormal to crazy after smoking it religiously for a couple of years. Also, most people I know who smoke weed that often also will do acid and eat shrooms, maybe even ecstasy.

Sent from my LG-VM696 using Tapatalk 2

(12-18-2013 03:09 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Apparently, marijuana use among children is spiking and is a growing social problem.

This on the heels of a new study proving heavy marijuana use among teens causes poor memory and abnormal brain structure.

Obviously the so called drug war has not worked. Any ideas on how to decrease teenage use? What about legalizing for adults it in limited quantities, ie sell it behind the counter at the pharmacy with limits like Sudafed? That would take out the vast majority of the black market and make it difficult for kids to legally buy.

Now we know how the future began:

Capital Punishment for first offenders!

My MJ is never going anywhere. Stupid people will be stupid people with or with out it. The only problem is that is illegal. Screw your research. I've done my own and believe me when I say... wait, hold on...what was I talking about again.

(12-18-2013 08:51 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  My MJ is never going anywhere. Stupid people will be stupid people with or with out it. The only problem is that is illegal. Screw your research. I've done my own and believe me when I say... wait, hold on...what was I talking about again.

Pass that $&@?

(12-18-2013 07:28 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  This is what a lot of you want to legalize? I know what you're going to say - you're going to say you want to legalize it for adults and not kids. But kids will learn to believe it's normal and are only being kept away from pot due to some arbitrary age distinction and they'll think nothing of the hazards. In their minds pot use will be OK.

Sure it is.

Quote:Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.

Researchers in Chicago observed the brains of teenagers who were heavy users of marijuana. In those individuals, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink and collapse inward, possibly indicating a decrease in neurons.

These abnormalities were recorded two years after the teens stopped using marijuana, possibly indicating long-term effects, and look similar to schizophrenia-related brain abnormalities.

The brains were shaped more abnormally for individuals who began marijuana use at a younger age, according to the reports, which suggest that memory regions of the brain are more susceptible to the drug at earlier ages.

Burnout - Hell, in the 70's everyone KNEW that heavy, long term use effected memory, etc. Just go talk to any older person that has smoked a lot of weed over the years - you wonder if they can remember what day it is.

(12-18-2013 09:03 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 07:28 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  This is what a lot of you want to legalize? I know what you're going to say - you're going to say you want to legalize it for adults and not kids. But kids will learn to believe it's normal and are only being kept away from pot due to some arbitrary age distinction and they'll think nothing of the hazards. In their minds pot use will be OK.

Sure it is.

Quote:Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.

Researchers in Chicago observed the brains of teenagers who were heavy users of marijuana. In those individuals, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink and collapse inward, possibly indicating a decrease in neurons.

These abnormalities were recorded two years after the teens stopped using marijuana, possibly indicating long-term effects, and look similar to schizophrenia-related brain abnormalities.

The brains were shaped more abnormally for individuals who began marijuana use at a younger age, according to the reports, which suggest that memory regions of the brain are more susceptible to the drug at earlier ages.

Burnout - Hell, in the 70's everyone KNEW that heavy, long term use effected memory, etc. Just go talk to any older person that has smoked a lot of weed over the years - you wonder if they can remember what day it is.

I have known both...those that seem not to be overly affected by chronic use and those that are "burnouts" The "burnouts" also used more than just cannabis. They drank heavily and did other substances. When you abuse your body to the extent I have seen?...It just shuts down.

(12-18-2013 07:28 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  This is what a lot of you want to legalize? I know what you're going to say - you're going to say you want to legalize it for adults and not kids. But kids will learn to believe it's normal and are only being kept away from pot due to some arbitrary age distinction and they'll think nothing of the hazards. In their minds pot use will be OK.

Sure it is.

Quote:Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.

Researchers in Chicago observed the brains of teenagers who were heavy users of marijuana. In those individuals, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink and collapse inward, possibly indicating a decrease in neurons.

These abnormalities were recorded two years after the teens stopped using marijuana, possibly indicating long-term effects, and look similar to schizophrenia-related brain abnormalities.

The brains were shaped more abnormally for individuals who began marijuana use at a younger age, according to the reports, which suggest that memory regions of the brain are more susceptible to the drug at earlier ages.

Well..It is OK...for adults when used responsibly...just like booze. I never hid drinking from my daughter. I also never got drunk around her either. I was also very clear about my former cannabis use. I never hid or tried to lie to her. I think being honest and open with your kids takes the "forbidden fruit" aspect of booze and drugs somewhat out of the picture. I never had any problems with my kid. I honestly do not think while she lived at home..she ever drank or smoked weed. If she did? She was very discrete. She is 25 now and drinks around me...but..she is responsible.

I guess my point is that we should be open with our kids. They respect you for it later I believe. I have seen the opposite be true of parents that tiptoed around these subjects and were not honest. Many times their kids went crazy when they get the chance to take the "forbidden fruit" and several of them had brushes with the authorities.

(12-18-2013 04:15 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  10 years ago Portugal decriminalized all drugs (not the same as legalization, and this is not just for weed).

I disagree with Portugal listing all drugs in this regards, but I honestly think that decriminilazation is that "balance" that many voters would agree with, even if they don't agree with out-and-out legalization.

(12-18-2013 11:23 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 04:15 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  10 years ago Portugal decriminalized all drugs (not the same as legalization, and this is not just for weed).

I disagree with Portugal listing all drugs in this regards, but I honestly think that decriminilazation is that "balance" that many voters would agree with, even if they don't agree with out-and-out legalization.

It doesn't do anything to prevent the violence surrounding the black markets, but allows for non-violent users to stay out of jail, along with the other benefits the study found. It's a halfway point, and it's also half-ass.

The drug war will continue because they'll find a way to get every user re-classified as a dealer. Money will continue to be funneled into the militarization of our police forces. Nothing on this front will change. People will still die needless deaths at the hands of police and thugs. "Needless" because if this were legal there'd be little to no black market, with no need for the violence.

(12-19-2013 12:40 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 11:23 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 04:15 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  10 years ago Portugal decriminalized all drugs (not the same as legalization, and this is not just for weed).

I disagree with Portugal listing all drugs in this regards, but I honestly think that decriminilazation is that "balance" that many voters would agree with, even if they don't agree with out-and-out legalization.

It doesn't do anything to prevent the violence surrounding the black markets, but allows for non-violent users to stay out of jail, along with the other benefits the study found. It's a halfway point, and it's also half-ass.

The drug war will continue because they'll find a way to get every user re-classified as a dealer. Money will continue to be funneled into the militarization of our police forces. Nothing on this front will change. People will still die needless deaths at the hands of police and thugs. "Needless" because if this were legal there'd be little to no black market, with no need for the violence.

I love how the libertarians are rewriting the definition of non violent. As if selling heroin to a minor is non violent.

This is the main issue that is keeping you out of the mainstream. Keep it up boys.

(12-19-2013 12:40 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 11:23 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 04:15 PM)RaiderATO Wrote:  10 years ago Portugal decriminalized all drugs (not the same as legalization, and this is not just for weed).

I disagree with Portugal listing all drugs in this regards, but I honestly think that decriminilazation is that "balance" that many voters would agree with, even if they don't agree with out-and-out legalization.

It doesn't do anything to prevent the violence surrounding the black markets, but allows for non-violent users to stay out of jail, along with the other benefits the study found. It's a halfway point, and it's also half-ass.

The drug war will continue because they'll find a way to get every user re-classified as a dealer. Money will continue to be funneled into the militarization of our police forces. Nothing on this front will change. People will still die needless deaths at the hands of police and thugs. "Needless" because if this were legal there'd be little to no black market, with no need for the violence.

Agreed. Decriminalization only puts more addicts, and the social problems in their wake. on the streets. At least with criminalization you get them off the street, or with legalization you can tax it. Decriminalization is the worst option of the 3.

I just don't buy the theory of masses of non-violent users currently behind bars. I know of not a single person that has been arrested for smoking a J in the privacy of their home. They are usually charged with possession as a result of what is found on them in a secondary crime.

(12-18-2013 03:36 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:28 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:23 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:16 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  It's always going to be readily available legal or not. Parents are going to have to parent. No regulation will help.

That isn't true, you have to have connections and I specifically remember many "dry" periods where it was extremely difficult to get even with connections... well 20 years ago anyway, but I would have no idea how to get it if I wanted some for tonight.

Ask a few people. You'd be shocked at how fast you'd get a connection. Hell, when I was in marching band we had at least 10 people. The Christian teen picnics in my town used to have plenty of it.

Now the dry periods still happen.

Maybe things have changed, but it wasn't easy to get when I was in high school. It wasn't impossible by any means, but you had to hit the phones hard and put yourself out there and roll with the chances of getting ratted out, which was a death knell for those of us with parents that cared (and these were the parents of the Reagan Just Say No revolution).

That said, an adult taking a one hitter and watching Lord of the Rings on a Friday night is not the same as high schoolers abusing it. I can live with legalization, but we do need to recognize that a school culture of pot abuse is unacceptable.

I agree


But when we start pointing to studies about the effects of pot on teenagers, you have to keep it in proper prospective.

High sugar intake has a MUCH worse affect on brain development in teens.

(12-19-2013 12:52 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:36 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:28 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:23 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:16 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  It's always going to be readily available legal or not. Parents are going to have to parent. No regulation will help.

That isn't true, you have to have connections and I specifically remember many "dry" periods where it was extremely difficult to get even with connections... well 20 years ago anyway, but I would have no idea how to get it if I wanted some for tonight.

Ask a few people. You'd be shocked at how fast you'd get a connection. Hell, when I was in marching band we had at least 10 people. The Christian teen picnics in my town used to have plenty of it.

Now the dry periods still happen.

Maybe things have changed, but it wasn't easy to get when I was in high school. It wasn't impossible by any means, but you had to hit the phones hard and put yourself out there and roll with the chances of getting ratted out, which was a death knell for those of us with parents that cared (and these were the parents of the Reagan Just Say No revolution).

That said, an adult taking a one hitter and watching Lord of the Rings on a Friday night is not the same as high schoolers abusing it. I can live with legalization, but we do need to recognize that a school culture of pot abuse is unacceptable.

I agree


But when we start pointing to studies about the effects of pot on teenagers, you have to keep it in proper prospective.

High sugar intake has a MUCH worse affect on brain development in teens.

???

(12-18-2013 03:53 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:40 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:09 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Apparently, marijuana use among children is spiking and is a growing social problem.

This on the heels of a new study proving heavy marijuana use among teens causes poor memory and abnormal brain structure.

Obviously the so called drug war has not worked. Any ideas on how to decrease teenage use? What about legalizing for adults it in limited quantities, ie sell it behind the counter at the pharmacy with limits like Sudafed? That would take out the vast majority of the black market and make it difficult for kids to legally buy.

Probably the same way we stop teen alcohol consumption - which we don't on either front. Honestly, I think that parents just paying attention would curb the use of both. Kids that are drinking or getting high every day have to have parent(s) that pay no attention to what their kids are doing. Drunk or High is not that hard to spot- especially for those that are inexperienced dealing with either.

A Friday night bender for either is way harder to catch IF the kid has some sense and doesn't drive around town messed up. IMO, the occasional drunk/high that teens are apt to engage in isn't really where the problems lie. You just hope they get sick/paranoid enough from doing either that it is a limited occurrence.

Agree completely... that isn't the problem and in this sense, I don't think alcohol is as big of a problem. Not many kids drink every day and not many kids show up to school drunk. Binge drinking and resulting actions are a problem, but pot abuse is a much bigger problem developmentally in my opinion. Pot is more of a "lifestyle" drug for kids.

As someone who has been drunk and been high, I can say with out a doubt that alcohol has a FAR more detructive affect on kids than pot.

The strongest pot on the earth will NEVER be as strong as a pint of Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

(12-19-2013 12:53 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 12:52 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:36 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:28 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:23 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  That isn't true, you have to have connections and I specifically remember many "dry" periods where it was extremely difficult to get even with connections... well 20 years ago anyway, but I would have no idea how to get it if I wanted some for tonight.

Ask a few people. You'd be shocked at how fast you'd get a connection. Hell, when I was in marching band we had at least 10 people. The Christian teen picnics in my town used to have plenty of it.

Now the dry periods still happen.

Maybe things have changed, but it wasn't easy to get when I was in high school. It wasn't impossible by any means, but you had to hit the phones hard and put yourself out there and roll with the chances of getting ratted out, which was a death knell for those of us with parents that cared (and these were the parents of the Reagan Just Say No revolution).

That said, an adult taking a one hitter and watching Lord of the Rings on a Friday night is not the same as high schoolers abusing it. I can live with legalization, but we do need to recognize that a school culture of pot abuse is unacceptable.

I agree


But when we start pointing to studies about the effects of pot on teenagers, you have to keep it in proper prospective.

High sugar intake has a MUCH worse affect on brain development in teens.

???

I'm sorry if it doesn't fit your narrative, but its a fact.

Study diabetes in children, high sugar diets and its effects on brain development.

It makes pot look like vegetables.

(12-19-2013 12:54 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:53 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:40 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:09 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Apparently, marijuana use among children is spiking and is a growing social problem.

This on the heels of a new study proving heavy marijuana use among teens causes poor memory and abnormal brain structure.

Obviously the so called drug war has not worked. Any ideas on how to decrease teenage use? What about legalizing for adults it in limited quantities, ie sell it behind the counter at the pharmacy with limits like Sudafed? That would take out the vast majority of the black market and make it difficult for kids to legally buy.

Probably the same way we stop teen alcohol consumption - which we don't on either front. Honestly, I think that parents just paying attention would curb the use of both. Kids that are drinking or getting high every day have to have parent(s) that pay no attention to what their kids are doing. Drunk or High is not that hard to spot- especially for those that are inexperienced dealing with either.

A Friday night bender for either is way harder to catch IF the kid has some sense and doesn't drive around town messed up. IMO, the occasional drunk/high that teens are apt to engage in isn't really where the problems lie. You just hope they get sick/paranoid enough from doing either that it is a limited occurrence.

Agree completely... that isn't the problem and in this sense, I don't think alcohol is as big of a problem. Not many kids drink every day and not many kids show up to school drunk. Binge drinking and resulting actions are a problem, but pot abuse is a much bigger problem developmentally in my opinion. Pot is more of a "lifestyle" drug for kids.

As someone who has been drunk and been high, I can say with out a doubt the alcohol has a FAR more detructive affect on kids than pot.

The strongest pot on the earth will NEVER be as strong as a pint of Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Sure, alcohol is more destructive, but how many kids are drinking everyday and showing up to school drunk? Again, I am almost 20 years out of high school so maybe things have changed, but alcohol use during the week just wasn't happening while people smoked pot every day.

(12-19-2013 12:54 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:53 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:40 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:09 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Apparently, marijuana use among children is spiking and is a growing social problem.

This on the heels of a new study proving heavy marijuana use among teens causes poor memory and abnormal brain structure.

Obviously the so called drug war has not worked. Any ideas on how to decrease teenage use? What about legalizing for adults it in limited quantities, ie sell it behind the counter at the pharmacy with limits like Sudafed? That would take out the vast majority of the black market and make it difficult for kids to legally buy.

Probably the same way we stop teen alcohol consumption - which we don't on either front. Honestly, I think that parents just paying attention would curb the use of both. Kids that are drinking or getting high every day have to have parent(s) that pay no attention to what their kids are doing. Drunk or High is not that hard to spot- especially for those that are inexperienced dealing with either.

A Friday night bender for either is way harder to catch IF the kid has some sense and doesn't drive around town messed up. IMO, the occasional drunk/high that teens are apt to engage in isn't really where the problems lie. You just hope they get sick/paranoid enough from doing either that it is a limited occurrence.

Agree completely... that isn't the problem and in this sense, I don't think alcohol is as big of a problem. Not many kids drink every day and not many kids show up to school drunk. Binge drinking and resulting actions are a problem, but pot abuse is a much bigger problem developmentally in my opinion. Pot is more of a "lifestyle" drug for kids.

As someone who has been drunk and been high, I can say with out a doubt the alcohol has a FAR more detructive affect on kids than pot.

The strongest pot on the earth will NEVER be as strong as a pint of Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

as someone who smoked pot everyday for 10 years in my past, I can assure you that it is addictive, damages your lungs, causes chemical imbalances in your body and damages your psyche.

The way it is administered also causes cancer. It's extremely harmful to the body and mind. When kids become regular users, it cause developmental brain damage.

I've listened to all the pot-head revelations about how pot cures this and that, and how hemp is the secret to a sustainable society. Non of it is based in medical truths.

(12-19-2013 12:56 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 12:53 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-19-2013 12:52 PM)Jedi Master Sipho-Dyas Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:36 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(12-18-2013 03:28 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  Ask a few people. You'd be shocked at how fast you'd get a connection. Hell, when I was in marching band we had at least 10 people. The Christian teen picnics in my town used to have plenty of it.

Now the dry periods still happen.

Maybe things have changed, but it wasn't easy to get when I was in high school. It wasn't impossible by any means, but you had to hit the phones hard and put yourself out there and roll with the chances of getting ratted out, which was a death knell for those of us with parents that cared (and these were the parents of the Reagan Just Say No revolution).

That said, an adult taking a one hitter and watching Lord of the Rings on a Friday night is not the same as high schoolers abusing it. I can live with legalization, but we do need to recognize that a school culture of pot abuse is unacceptable.

I agree


But when we start pointing to studies about the effects of pot on teenagers, you have to keep it in proper prospective.

High sugar intake has a MUCH worse affect on brain development in teens.

???

I'm sorry if it doesn't fit your narritive, but its a fact.

Study diabetes in children, high sugar diets and its effects on brain development.

It makes pot look like vegetables.

I don't have a narrative. If you read my comments I am pretty open minded about pot legalization, but I'm not going to go along with your view that it is somehow not destructive to abuse it and that abuse is not a problem with kids. I would bet my house that chronic pot abuse (not talking weekend warriors) is much more destructive to adolescent brain development than high sugar.