Pot - Worse than cigerates?

[wer]

Who thinks pot is worse than cigerates. The law against pot is BULLSHIT! Cigerates are 500 times more deadly than pot. I've heard not one person has died from bad health because they smoked pot. Millions of people die because of cigerates. God, Americas goverment is so fucked up. What is your opion?

[O'nus]

First, I'd like to summarize the effects of these two drugs.. Tobacco use is the leading prevetable cause of death in the United States. Smokes is responsible for approximately seven percent of total U.S. health care costs, an estimated $80 billion each year (Society for Neuroscience statistic). Nicotine acts trhough the weel known cholinergic nicotinic receptor. This drug can act as both a stimulant and a sedative. Immediately aftere xposure to nicotine, there is a "kick" caused in part by the drug's stimulation of the adrenal galnds and resulting discharge of epinephrine. The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and causes a sudden release of glucose as well as an increase in blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. Nicotine also suppresses insulin output from the pancreas, which means that smokers are always slightly hyperglycemic. In addition, nicotine indrectly causes a release of dopamine in the brain regions that control pleasure and motivation. This is thought to udnerlie the pleasurable sensations experienced by many smokers. Marijuana can distort perception, and alter the sense of time, space, and self. In certain situations, marijuana can produce intense anxiety. In radioactive tracing studies, scientists at the Society for Neuroscience and the University of Washinton found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, binds to specific receptors, many of which coordinate movment. This may explain why people who drive after they smoke marijuana are impaired. The hippocampus, a structure involved with memory storage and learning, also contains many THC receptors. This may explain why heavy users or those intoxicated on marijuana have poor short-term meory and problems processing complex information ("Dude... what did you just say?" "I don't know man..." "I'm so high"). Scientists recently discovered that these receptors normally bind to a natural internal chemical called anandamide, and ar e now working to see how this natural marijuana affects brain function. It is proven that nicotine is, in fact, much more dangerous to the body than marijuana by ten-fold. However, the government will not ban nicotine because of the revenue in which paying smokers generate. For as much money is consumed in research for the cure of cancer and research to help elucidate the ability to inhibit the addictive properties of nicotine, it also produces a significant revenue. Cigarettes also gives thousands of people employment; imagine a general store without cigarettes... just not the same. Hope I have been enlightening.

[Howie]

I am suprised that the government doesn't legalize marijuana for revenue purposes. Since I do niether, I wonder which one of the two is worse for you as far as side stream or second hand smoke is concerned? Unless it is used for medicinal purposes, I think they should both be banned. I am not saying this from an ignorant point of view either. I have done both and I find that nothing good comes out of them in the long run. Sure it can be fun. Everyone I know that smokes pot on a regular basis is deprived of their motivation and their priorities are obscured. As far as ciggerettes I can't think of one good thing about them.

[Scwigglie]

Ooh, wer, I love your avatar!! Having said that.. I truly hope to not offend anyone, but I strongly believe that drugs of any kind are unacceptable. An intelligent, sensible person who loves life would never jeopardize it by doing drugs. True, if you are knowledgeable enough about them and know what doses aren't fatal, a person could go on smoking things like marijuana for a long time without ruining his or her life. But, one careless night, one minor miscalculation, and everything is ruined. Moving on.. I don't know which I think is worse. It's hopeless either way, I don't forsee a future without either. O'nus, once again you have proven to be very enlightening.

[nightowl]

I don't like either and I would like them both to be banned and cease to exist, but then one must consider the consequences of doing something like that before making a hasty desicion. I've seen my friends change to the worst because of pot and they even peer pressure me to try it, even though they clearly know that I won't do it. They even sometimes do it front of their baby! I feel that pot is a stepping stone into more, dangerous drugs. Thats from a more personal experience though...

[sensi]

I use to smoke cigs for 13 years and was a cronic herb smoker for about 9 years. I now do neither and i feel better for it. I think both can be damaging in different ways. I dont think banning anything really works, if people want to take drugs they will find a way. I think education is the key. If people know the risks then they can make an informed choice. Peace sensi.

[Howie]

Nightowlmade a good point. It usually does lead to more dangerous drug use. We must also take into consideration that a lot of the time people use drugs or alchohol as a form of escape frm some other underlying problem. So even if one is intellegent & knows the risks, somtimes anxiety,depression or somthing else may be a result of their usage.

[sensi]

I totally agree Howetzer. I started with pot and progressed to stronger drugs. I did use it for an emotional escape. You do have to look at why people want to get high, not always but usually there is a reason if abuse is involved. I think like all things moderation is ok but if you are trying to escape its not a good idea. I think education is a good idea in the way that it can teach you not only the physical risks but mental and emotional risks too. I was never taught about the risks so i learnt by experience. After i long journey i no longer take any kind of drugs. Peace Sensi.

[Nebulae]

ciggies are terrible for you physically - i cant even begin to tell you all the things that can go wrong, i work in a cancer ward weed is terrible for you mentally. it gives you extreme anxiety (when you arent smoking, paranoia, depression, panic attacks. I have one friend who died as a result of pot induced psychosis. AS a self confessed pothead, I still believe it should be illegal. It would be awesome if it wasnt...and I do believe it should be used a pain reliever..but what can you do nre0

[Awaken]

Although I don't encourage drug use, I do partake in the weed, mushies, and occasional booze. Cigs don't do anything for me. Before you consider that pot should be banned, think about this - if someone found some kind of link between bad health and something you all enjoy very much, how would you feel about it being outlawed? I bet most of you would still do it, regardless of what authority says, and regardless of the slow, ungainly health deterioration (especially when it's a really fuzzy area, if it exists at all)...I'm pretty sure we can all agree on that. Basically, someone telling me pot should be outlawed is like telling us all that lucid dreaming should be outlawed! Why do we do it? Because we enjoy it! Nothing more. It's the same principle. Let's not even get into the health effects because honestly, it doesn't have any impact on users to tell them that maybe if they smoke 10 joints a day for 30 years they 'could' get cancer. Come on people, I thought we knew what happens when stuff is outlawed! Crime goes up, innocent peoples' lives are destroyed, the market is unregulated and therefore potentially more dangerous, a disgusting amount of money is wasted on prevention, courts get backed up, police can't focus on REAL criminals (rapists, murderers), and information is turned into propaganda...There is NO benefit to outlawing something like this, aside from the false sense of 'security'. Also, saying that nothing good comes from pot is like saying nothing good comes from a party. People get together and have a good time! Yes bad stuff happens sometimes, but isn't that life? Why must we try to control everything when it's such a vast minority which is causing problems?? You're causing more problems by turning it into a criminal act...

[Je33ica]

I just got back from Europe a couple days ago and everyone there drinks and smokes (even the teenagers). But there was only one guy in my youth exchange group that smoked week (France), the others smokes cigarretes (Crotia, Slovenia, Russia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, I may be forgetting one or two...). I don't understand why people smoke cigrattes, does it calm a person down or really help to keep weight off? One of my friend's says it does the opposit and makes a person irritable. I've never smoked so I'm not sure what it does... Weed gets you high, but doesn't it contain the same deathly ingredients as ciggrates? Even if it doesn't, doesn't it still put smoke/tar in your lungs?

[nightowl]

Awaken, as always you've enlightented the subject. As you can see, I agree. Banning such a thing could have dire consequences and everyone should really think and research about it before any desicion is made. That still doesn't change my stance on the subject, but I believe that such extreme actions shouldn't be make without the consideration of the consequences

[Scwigglie]

I totally agree banning it is useless and will only create more problems. It's so unfortunate, but something similar has been done before.. and you can't argue with actual results.. I believe it was somewhere in the 1920's (maybe. I never liked history, not learning it in school anyway) that America actually tried to BAN ALCOHOL!! Did it work? Of course not. The black market had a ball selling it illegally, and in the end, more people had it than when it was legal. (Just an example. I have nothing against alcohol. In non-lethal amounts, of course.) Sensi, I agree that education is the key. And anyway, a "sensible" person who is depressed and whatnot can certainly use their mind find a different way to get pleasures out of life.

[Shadows]

i will say this. i think it should be up to the person what they do. they know what there doing and some people know whats in it. and if they cared then they would look it up or ask about it. i think its just stupid to illegal something because they know that people will just go ahead and do what ever they want.

[O'nus]

Originally posted by Shadows i will say this. i think it should be up to the person what they do. they know what there doing and some people know whats in it. and if they cared then they would look it up or ask about it. i think its just stupid to illegal something because they know that people will just go ahead and do what ever they want. The problem is really not the effects it has on the individual, more or less, how the product is distributed and created within the country. Tobacco is easily controlled by the government which creates it's great revenue, along with aclohol. Marijuana, however, is not controlled by the government whatsoever. Would legalising it really help with the abuse of the drug at all? Or just make it easier to access? There are cities and towns which utilise safe injection facilities where it is legal to use any drug with the safe watch of professional assistance. Towns and areas such as East Hastings (I really must take this moment to recommend listening to "East Hastings" by Godspeed You Black Emperor, just because I love it so much). The sad truth is; it doesn't matter what it does to the individual, it's how the drug is controlled within the country. At leas, in the big picture, that is what it seems like to me. ~

[Shadows]

wow im learning... well i figure the country needs the money. if they did leagalise it. they could get money off of it like Cigerates. i mean think about how many people buy drugs and stuff. i really think its the persons weather to do them or not.

[lurker]

i presonally belive the reason why alcohol, and cigs are legal in this country is because it's culturally accepted by the white "christian" man. suppose the europeans never "discovered" america. do you think pot, peyote, mushrooms and other things native americans used as part of their religion would be outlawed, if the native americans were still running the show here? if you go to other countries, like ones that actually have a culture (like mexico, or anywhere in europe). you'll notice people attitute in general toward alcohol (especially) is more mature than it is here in the U.S. you'll see that most people drink while they are having a good time, while americans usually drink in order to have a good time. of course, there are reckless people everywhere. but this place is totally messed up compared to other places. the main reason why hemp was banned was because of money. hemp was a huge threat to the cotton industry. note that cotton is a lot more expensive to produce than hemp, while help can yeild a wider varity of products.

[Taosaur]

Originally posted by lurker the main reason why hemp was banned was because of money. hemp was a huge threat to the cotton industry. Actually, it was the other way around; cotton overtook hemp in clothing manufacture after the invention of the cotton gin, though hemp remained the second-most-used fiber in the world in the early 20th C. Paper and petrochemical interests took out hemp in the '30s. Technology for making cheap hemp paper became available in 1937, yielding 4X the paper per acre of timber holdings, with 5X less pollution. Dupont, that same year, patented a sulfuric-acid process for wood-pulp paper. Dupont's majority stockholder, Andrew Mellon, was Secretary of the Treasury. He appointed his niece's husband drug-czar, and by April they'd outlawed hemp under the fairly new name, "marihuana." Many people never made the connection between this new Mexican demon-drug and the stuff growing in the back forty until it was too late. It seems likely to me that the prohibition created the drug we know today. While hemp will grow anywhere, it takes a lot of care and attention to produce anything more potent than "schwag," if you plan to smoke the stuff. It just wasn't profitable until it became contraband. Now there are a dozen big-name hybrids that fetch $400-$700 per ounce, and have more than 7X the THC of schwag. As for gateway drugs: dope --> psychedelics; cigs --> coke and speed. Think about who's in charge of the country right now, and what's legal, and ask yourself which drugs do more harm. "A very few...serve the state with their consciences....and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as enemies by it." -Thoreau

[Awaken]

Originally posted by Je33icaLy88 I don't understand why people smoke cigrattes, does it calm a person down or really help to keep weight off? *One of my friend's says it does the opposit and makes a person irritable. *I've never smoked so I'm not sure what it does... Weed gets you high, but doesn't it contain the same deathly ingredients as ciggrates? *Even if it doesn't, doesn't it still put smoke/tar in your lungs? I've asked people why they smoke cigs, cause I've tried it many times and have never gotten any kind of gratification, other than the initial headrush, kinda cool but definitely not worth it Smokers tell me it's an "all-purpose" drug...It calms you down, wakes you up, is great after a meal, etc. It does what you want, when you want...(apparently) But it doesn't work for me Pot does contain carcinogens. Any carbon-based material being burned and inhaled will not be good for the lungs...As for *how* bad, I'm not sure. No one can really seem to agree how much actual tar is deposited and stays in the lungs, and what the dire consequences are...I've heard everything from schitzo-inducing, cancer, emphysema, abnormal lung functionality, etc...But I've also heard stuff against some of this :S They really need to do more research...And NOT the government. It's so often about scare-tactics when they're involved.

[Awaken]

Originally posted by O'nus Tobacco is easily controlled by the government which creates it's great revenue, along with aclohol. *Marijuana, however, is not controlled by the government whatsoever. *Would legalising it really help with the abuse of the drug at all? *Or just make it easier to access? ~ Legalisation in itself will do nothing except get the cops off everyone's backs. If it's legalised, controlled, and sold for a reasonable price, there won't be as much profit to be made from illegal grow-ops. If the gov't can provide a good, clean product at a decent (but not overly-low) price, people will see much more incentive to get it from them. It wouldn't help with 'abuse' necessarily, but the alcohol/tobacco situation isn't either...That's a different issue. A line needs to be drawn between use and abuse...Not all drug use is abuse.

[Lomebririon]

I did a bit of poking around and this is what I found out: The effects of cigarettes: Every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking. One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit. Half of these deaths will occur in middle age.Cigarettes are full of chemicals and poisons. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals. Tobacco smoke also contributes to a number of cancers. The mixture of nicotine and carbon monoxide in each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your heart rate and blood pressure, straining your heart and blood vessels. This can cause heart attacks and stroke. It slows your blood flow, cutting off oxygen to your feet and hands.Some smokers end up having their limbs amputated. Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer. A 20-a-day smoker breathes in up to a full cup (210 g) of tar in a year. Changing to low-tar cigarettes does not help because smokers usually take deeper puffs and hold the smoke in for longer, dragging the tar deeper into their lungs. Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your whole body and especially your heart work harder. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs. Smoking causes disease and is a slow way to die. The strain put on your body by smoking often causes years of suffering. Emphysema is an illness that slowly rots your lungs. People with emphysema often get bronchitis again and again, and suffer lung and heart failure. Lung cancer from smoking is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. Men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers. Heart disease and strokes are also more common among smokers than non-smokers. Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels which leads to heart attack. Smoking causes around one in five deaths from heart disease. In younger people, three out of four deaths from heart disease are due to smoking. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals. At least 43 are known carcinogens (cause cancer in humans). Cigarettes are one of few products which can be sold legally which can harm and even kill you over time if used as intended. Some of the chemicals found in cigarettes are: Benzene (petrol additive) A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke. It is a known carcinogen and is associated with leukaemia. Formaldehyde (embalming fluid) A colourless liquid, highly poisonous, used to preserve dead bodies - also found in cigarette smoke. Known to cause cancer, respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems. Ammonia (toilet cleaner) Used as a flavouring, frees nicotine from tobacco turning it into a gas, found in dry cleaning fluids. Acetone (nail polish remover) Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example, nail polish remover - found in cigarette smoke. Tar Particulate matter drawn into lungs when you inhale on a lighted cigarette. Once inhaled, smoke condenses and about 70 per cent of the tar in the smoke is deposited in the smoker's lungs. Nicotine (insecticide/addictive drug) One of the most addictive substances known to man, a powerful and fast-acting medical and non-medical poison. This is the chemical which causes addiction. Carbon Monoxide (CO) (car exhaust fumes) An odourless, tasteless and poisonous gas, rapidly fatal in large amounts - it's the same gas that comes out of car exhausts and is the main gas in cigarette smoke, formed when the cigarette is lit. Others you may recognize are : Arsenic (rat poison), Hydrogen Cyanide (gas chamber poison) Benzopyrene: One of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals in the world. Found in coal tar and cigarette smoke. Butane: A key component of gasoline, it’s highly flammable. Cadmium: Used in batteries and oil paint. It is a group 1 carcinogen. It damages the liver, kidneys, and brain and remains in the body for years (>10 years). Is also excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers. Hydrogen Cyanide: A colorless poisonous gas. Short-term exposure causes headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Lead: Of the heavy metal group. Stunts growth and damages the brain, kidneys and nervous system. Lead is more easily absorbed in the growing bodies so children are particularly vulnerable. Exposure in children can result in development delays, lower IQ levels, shortened attention spans and increased behavioral problems Methoprene: An insecticide used to kill fleas on your pets. Mercury: A heavy metal, affects the central nervous system. Exposure causes tremors, memory loss and kidney disease. Nickel: A heavy metal, affects the central nervous system. Exposure causes increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Nitric oxide: Produces short-term effects on airway activity. High concentrations can lead to acute lung dysfunction. Phenol: Used in disinfectants and plastic. Exposure causes skin, eye, and mucus membrane irritation. Polonium: A cancer causing radioactive element. Propylene Glycol: Added by the tobacco industry to keep cheap tobacco from drying out. It also has been known to aid in delivery of nicotine to the brain. Styrene: Found in insulation material. Causes headaches, fatigue, weakness, and depression. Toluene: Embalmers glue, which is a central nervous system depressant. Exposure causes ataxia, tremors, cerebral atrophy, nystagmus, impaired speech, hearing and vision, headaches, dizziness and difficulty sleeping. Turpentine: A toxic chemical used in paint stripper. And that's only a few. Pretty heavy stuff eh? Some of the diseases related to smoking are: Bronchitis, Emphysema, Coronary Heart Disease, Cirrhosis of the liver, Decreased birth weight, Peripheral vascular disease, Tobacco amblyopia, Lip cancer, Tongue cancer, Gum cancer, Larynx cancer, Lung cancer, Peptic ulcer, Bladder cancer and Buerger's disease. The effects of pot: Jeez, i'll tell you what, it's hard to find scientific info on an illegal substance. Well to it's credit, more than 400,000 Americans die from diseases related to cigarette smoking each year. More than 150,000 Americans die of alcohol abuse each year. But in 10,000 years of usage, no one has ever died from marijuana. Short-term effects of using marijuana include: Sleepiness Difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car Increased heart rate Potential cardiac dangers for those with preexisting heart disease Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth and throat Decreased social inhibitions Paranoia, hallucinations Impaired or reduced short-term memory Impaired or reduced comprehension Altered motivation and cognition, making the acquisition of new information difficult Paranoia Psychological dependence Impairments in learning, memory, perception, and judgment - difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving, and forming concepts Intense anxiety or panic attacks Long-term effects of using marijuana include: Enhanced cancer risk Decrease in testosterone levels and lower sperm counts for men Increase in testosterone levels for women and increased risk of infertility Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure Psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect What is THC? THC is the chemical in marijuana which makes you feel "high" (which means experiencing a change in mood and seeing or feeling things differently). Certain parts of the plant contain higher levels of THC. The flowers or buds have more THC than the stems or leaves. The Effect of THC When marijuana is smoked, THC goes: quickly into the blood through the lungs to the brain (this is when the "high" is felt and can happen within a few minutes and can last up to five hours) THC is absorbed more slowly into the blood when marijuana is eaten as it has to pass through the stomach and intestine and can take up to one hour to experience the "high" effects which can last up to 12 hours. THC is absorbed quickly into body fat and is then released very slowly back into the blood. This process can take up to one month for a single dose of THC to fully leave the body. Effects The effects of marijuana will vary from person to person depending on: How much taken How strong (potent) the marijuana is How the marijuana is taken (joint, bong, food) Size, weight, health Mood Individual experience with marijuana If marijuana is taken with other drugs Whether alone or with other people, at home or at a party. Onset 0-10 minutes Coming Up 5-10 minutes Plateau 15-30 minutes Coming Down 45-60 minutes After Effects 30-60 minutes Because marijuana users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and then hold it in their lungs as long as possible, marijuana is damaging to the lungs and pulmonary system. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same carcinogens and toxic particulates as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations. Long-term users of cannabis may develop psychological dependence and require more of the drug to get the same effect. The drug can become the center of their lives. The Effects on the Male: Marijuana is the most common drug used by adolescents in America today. Marijuana affect the parts of the brain which controls the sex and growth hormones. In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level. Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system. Regular marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as increases in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana is a contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young males should know the effects and potential effects of marijuana use on sex and growing process before they decide to smoke marijuana. The Effects on the Female: Just as in Males, marijuana effects the female in the part of the brain that controls the hormones, which determines the sequence in the menstrual cycle. Its been said that females who smoked or used marijuana on a regular basis had irregular menstrual cycles, the female hormones were depressed, and the testosterone level was raised. Even though this effect may be reversible, it may take several months of no marijuana use before the menstrual cycles become normal again. Mothers who smoke marijuana on a regular basis have been reported of having babies with a weak central nervous system. These babies show abnormal reactions to light and sound, exhibit tremors and startles, and have the high-pitched cry associated with drug withdrawal. Occurring at five times the rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Marijuana Syndrome is a growing concern of many doctors. Furthermore, doctors worry that children born to "pot-head" mothers will have learning disabilities, attention deficits and hormonal irregularities as they grow older, even if there are no apparent signs of damage at birth. Pregnant or nursing mothers who smoke marijuana should talk to their doctors immediately. Effects of Marijuana on the Brain: Researchers have found that THC changes the way in which sensory information gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus. This is a component of the brain's limbic system that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. Investigations have shown that neurons in the information processing system of the hippocampus and the activity of the nerve fibers are suppressed by THC. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned behaviors, which depend on the hippocampus, also deteriorate. Recent research findings also indicate that long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse. Effects on the Lungs: Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke. Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers. This may be due to the marijuana users inhaling more deeply and holding the smoke in the lungs. Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Recent findings indicate that smoking marijuana while shooting up cocaine has the potential to cause severe increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In one study, experienced marijuana and cocaine users were given marijuana alone, cocaine alone, and then a combination of both. Each drug alone produced cardiovascular effects; when they were combined, the effects were greater and lasted longer. The heart rate of the subjects in the study increased 29 beats per minute with marijuana alone and 32 beats per minute with cocaine alone. When the drugs were given together, the heart rate increased by 49 beats per minute, and the increased rate persisted for a longer time. The drugs were given with the subjects sitting quietly. In normal circumstances, an individual may smoke marijuana and inject cocaine and then do something physically stressful that may significantly increase risks of overload on the cardiovascular system. Effects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior: A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65 "heavy users," who had smoked marijuana a median of 29 of the past 30 days, and 64 "light users," who had smoked a median of 1 of the past 30 days. After a closely monitored 19- to 24-hour period of abstinence from marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the undergraduates were given several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. The findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana. Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age indicates those who used have lower achievement than the non-users, more acceptance of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends. Effects on Pregnancy: Any drug of abuse can affect a mother's health during pregnancy, and this is a time when she should take special care of herself. Drugs of abuse may interfere with proper nutrition and rest, which can affect good functioning of the immune system. Some studies have found that babies born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were smaller than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. In general, smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems. A nursing mother who uses marijuana passes some of the THC to the baby in her breast milk. Research indicates that the use of marijuana by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement). Research also shows more anger and more regressive behavior (thumb sucking, temper tantrums) in toddlers whose parents use marijuana than among the toddlers of non-using parents. Cannabis when smoked may cause confusion and disorientation in the inexperienced or sensitive user. Now I know why I didn't getinto drugs.

[Death-Wuad]

I say make cigarettes illegal in public, does anybody ever think about the people who have asthma? Wanna smoke? Do it at home where it doesn't bother other people.

[Taosaur]

Dang Lomebririon, you did your homework. I did find that long after I stopped smoking cigs, I still coughed up lung cookies most days until I dropped pot as well. I still puff when it comes around, but that's about a 95% drop in usage. Recreationally, that is. Hemp-seed is still a staple of my diet (#2 in the plant kingdom for protein, next to soy, plus antioxidants and other good stuff), I still use hemp-oil products every day, and I would be using hemp paper and wearing hemp clothes if they weren't so expensive because of our assinine, economically-motivated drug laws. And dammit, I like my huge, firm man-teats Originally posted by Lomebririon Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system.

[Lomebririon]

Originally posted by Taosaur+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Taosaur)</div> Dang Lomebririon, you did your homework.[/b] Hey, I figure if you're going to do something, do it thoroughly. Originally posted by Taosaur@ And dammit, I like my huge, firm man-teats <!--QuoteBegin-Lomebririon Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system.

[Scwigglie]

I've asked people why they smoke cigs, cause I've tried it many times and have never gotten any kind of gratification, other than the initial headrush, kinda cool but definitely not worth it *Smokers tell me it's an \"all-purpose\" drug...It calms you down, wakes you up, is great after a meal, etc. It does what you want, when you want...(apparently) But it doesn't work for me *[/b] I've tried smoking too!! First to see what it tasted like, as all teens I'm sure want to do at one point or another. Then I tried it two more times, just to see if I could get addicted, because I just could not understand how people got addicted to those things after like one cigarette. And let me tell you, it DIDN'T work. Not for a second. I felt nothing but a decreased ability to breathe due to the smoke in my lungs. It was awful! By the way, I see DANTE on the board!!! OMG I'm in love.