re: “Marijuana is not harmless. The opposite is true and the evidence keeps growing“

I’m tired of hearing about the lasting effects of weed and alcohol when 99% of the food we eat in this country wreaks havoc on our bodies.

The article is an opinion piece, nothing more. No real studies linked here.

Regardless of what side of the fence you are on here are a few facts everyone should understand. If you can't bring yourself to agree with these, then you're lying to yourself and only thinking emotionally, so there is no debating with you.

-Cannabis/THC is far less of a health detriment than Alcohol and Tobacco.
-Cannabis/THC actually has medicinal value helping to treat anxiety, insomnia, pain relief, as well as cancer.
-Cannabis/THC related deaths are far less than that of Alcohol and Tobacco.
-Cannabis/THC has not been proven to be habit forming, whereas Alcohol and Tobacco have.
-Cannabis/THC is continuously being researched, and as more people use it and more research is conducted it is a statistical probability that negative side effects will be found, as well as potential health benefits. Same as was with Alcohol and Tobacco.

Reading some of the responses on this topic it seems a lot of people still have the perception of anyone using Cannabis/THC as it was portrayed in movies in the 1980s-1990s where they were sensationalized to be "dopers" and criminals always getting into trouble and losers. I bet my bottom dollar that there are more people that you respect, know and interact with daily/weekly that use Cannabis/THC than you realize.

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Calling it "flower" or "herb" doesn't help.

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It quite literally is a flower not sure what your beef with properly identifying what part of a plant it is could be.

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and the smell…

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Legalization aside, the smell of marijuana is horrible.

I think it just sounds stupid; as if equating it to a daffodil.


I've in unfortunately spent a lot of time in Marijuana dispensaries over the last few years. The lack of knowledge of the workers their about the products they sell and the effects of the product is stunning. And a lot of customers look like they need a lot more than THC to get their shite together.

I do belive THC has medicinal benefits, especially in regards to chronic pain and nausea, but a lot more research needs to be done.

In addition, a lot of the products aren't uniform in size or dosage amount. Medically speaking, standard dosage amounts are imperative. Recreational usage doesn't matter as much, obviously.

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Cannabis/THC is far less of a health detriment than Alcohol and Tobacco.

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Agreed, but it still has negative health aspects.

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Cannabis/THC actually has medicinal value helping to treat anxiety, insomnia, pain relief, as well as cancer.

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Yes, it can be used for positives reasons.

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Cannabis/THC related deaths are far less than that of Alcohol and Tobacco.

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Agreed, although studies show there is an increased risk of lung cancer, as expected.

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Cannabis/THC has not been proven to be habit forming, whereas Alcohol and Tobacco have.

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Completely and utterly false.

This is one of the most annoying aspects of proponents who are unwilling to express the negative aspects of marijuana use.

We have known for years that marijuana use can be habit-forming and that withdrawals are a thing.

People only seem to visualize the deadly side effects of withdrawals from alcohol, heroin, etc.

There are debilitating marijuana withdrawal symptoms, usually involving energy levels, depressive symptoms, fatigue, etc.

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There are debilitating marijuana withdrawal symptoms, usually involving energy levels, depressive symptoms, fatigue, etc.

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It’s similar to coming off caffeine, I speak from experience on both. “Jonesing” is a real thing in both cases. When I quit coffee/cokes and weed I wanted to kill a motherfricker for the most minor shite.

I have two friends who have been heavy users for 40 years. Both have had successful businesses and family life. Neither is psychotic nor demonstrates any ill results or lost cognitive function. It's a habit, but both have quit for a relatively short period of time with no withdrawal or problem. It did not lead to stronger drugs.

Now, it is stronger than it was in the 70s, and I imagine most of the "horror" stories of someone trying it are the result of not understanding the difference or being impatient with how long it takes edibles to affect you.

I have some back issues and have found that a low dose (5 mcgs) of THC plus an equal or greater dose of CBD helps relieve the pain and makes it easy to sleep. It's about the same as taking a muscle relaxer, like flexoril, except with the muscle relaxer, I feel groggy the next morning.

My state does not allow for it to be sold so it's rare for me to have/do any. I'd like to see it decriminalized and available. I really have no desire to smoke it, though I did back in college, but I've found the gummies to be helpful. People should also be able to grow small quantities for personal use.

$0.02

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Let's assume that's not true, but at the same time, assume it is no worse than alcohol or prescription drugs -

Was it a mistake for the legalization movement to push weed as a "harmless" herb? Was a cautionary approach never going to work? Are the fruits of the minimization of risk, overstatement/overselling of benefits going to be a reactionary approach to the inevitable negative consequences?

I remain, generally, in favor of legalization and I believe all of the above is true. A certain number of people are going to develop a lifelong problem with schizophrenia if they regularly use marijuana. Those people should be well-informed, in advance, of that risk.

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Honestly, none of the arguments and rigamarole about marijuana phases me. It's not something I give much thought to nowadays. People are responsible for themselves and should have the self-discipline and knowledge to regulate their own choices. The approach I've taken for most of my life is the Socratic "all things in moderation." I'm inherently and immediately skeptical of entities that push an anti-cannabis agenda, whether that's Fox News or Pfizer. If drinking a twelver or a fifth of Jack is allowed, a person who wants to smoke a J or two a day isn't a big deal to me. The arguments against pot always come across to me as a fight to control peoples' choices, largely for ulterior and monetary reasons. My default position is leave people the frick alone. But freedom of choice isn't something usually practiced at the governmental and corporate level.

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researchers have published paper after paper showing its risks, particularly to heavy or daily users.

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You mean to tell me that when something is used, in excess, it is bad for you?

Groundbreaking research, there.