Marijuana

[goofy!]

Marijuana use is legal in many other countries in the world and it seems to be a non-issue because no one makes a big deal out of it.

 

[Theosus]

Legalize it, and regulate it....what's the huge difference between marijuana and tobacco? What's the difference between marijuana and alcohol? If it's legal and regulated (and taxed ) then how would marijuana be more dangerous than those other drugs which are legal for ADULTS?

I think the biggest difference is how easy it is to grow. Brewing beer or making wine is pretty easy. Distilling it into liquor is somewhat more difficult and requires special equipment and a little know how. Tobacco is difficult to grow and dry and takes pesticides, a lot of land, and time.
Marijuana is pretty easy to grow, it's a weed... All you need are a few seeds and flowerpots.
That makes taxing it tough... When anyone can grow it on their kitchen table in the bay window.
The other thing is a suitable marijuana test. You need to be able to tell if someone is on pot Right Now - much like a DUI. If you get high and drive into something it should be treated like drunk driving.
A pee test tells you someone smoked pot in the last week or so, but you need to know if they smoked two hours ago.

I'm okay with legalizing it, with limits, just like alcohol.

 

[Rora]

I think it should be legalized.

 

[airhead]

Am I the only one who does not believe it should be legalized?

I live in a state where it is legal "for medical purposes" If you want an Rx, you can get one, it is SO easy. People are on Craigslist selling their weed!

Now they are talking about having pot clubs where you can go smoke pot together. Give me a break! That's not for medical reasons, a club for smoking pot!

Why not?? We have clubs for drinking alcohol...

 

[airhead]

Thanks! You brought up interesting points. It's hard to say whether people who currently do not smoke marijuana would start. I'm guessing maybe youth would. But if it did get legalized, I would hope that there would be limits and restrictions~age restrictions, driving restrictions, work restrictions, etc...

I guess to you I would say it might be worth your while to do some more research on marijuana and its effects.

I will say there is a huge difference between someone who is high on pot and someone who is drunk on alcohol.

I am very pro-marijuana being legalized. I will also admit that I use it sometimes. Some people come home from work and want to relax with a beer, I prefer a "cigarette". I have two masters degrees, a professional certification, stable job doing research and working with children, stable and happy lifestyle. I don't tell people at work that I do this sometimes because they would likely judge me into a very stereotyped category which far from describes me. As for drinking, I have the occassional glass of wine, beer or a mixed drink at a restaurant. I despise being around drunk people & avoid bars. I am VERY against drinking and driving (or being under the influence of anything intoxicating and driving). I would be extremely against driving and being high.
But I do feel that what I do in the privacy of my own home or my own backyard should be my own business.

Marijuana use is legal in many other countries in the world and it seems to be a non-issue because no one makes a big deal out of it.

 

[Tiger926]

Not sure, but I have read that the crime rate in Amsterdam is much lower than many major U.S. cities.

Another interesting fact is, in 2010, the number of alcohol related deaths in the U.S. was 85,000. The number of tobacco related deaths was a whopping 435,000. The number of marijuana related deaths??? ZERO.

Amsterdam - They are in the process of closing all pot cafes to tourists, due to high crime rates. And, you can only become a member of your local pot club, once you have been a resident for 1 year. Perhaps crime rates are lower than in the U.S. but really, the U.S. has very high crime rates overall, so for Amsterdam, they are not happy with their crime rates, so they are making major changes. You should check out the latest research from the past few weeks.

Marijuana while driving is getting to be a big problem. Many surveys here in Canada that show many people are high while driving. Thankfully, they don't seem to be doing as much damage as driving while driving or texting, thus far, but it still affects judgment and ability to react:

http://www.ccsa.ca/2011 CCSA Documents/2011_ccsa_news_release_march_28_en.pdf

I'm confused by your post: are you saying that prescription meds should be favored over marijuana for medicinal purposes? If so, are you saying that prescription meds do not have unpleasant, unsafe, and/or in some cases fatal side effects just from ingesting them?

About the brain cells thing, yes it can kill brain cells but these cells grow back. You might want to read up on exactly what marijuana does to the brain and how permanent the effects actually are (they are not permanent).

You are 100% correct though-it is not the same as alcohol. The liver damage that is caused by alcohol abuse is permanent & will kill you.

But, there is also a HUGE difference between alcohol use and marijuana use and alcohol ABUSE and marijuana ABUSE. I cannot help but laugh when people assume, if you smoke pot, you must be the type of person who is high every second of the day.

Sorry but you are very misinformed about marijuana effects. Marijuana takes months to get out of your system, and belive me, it can kill brain cells. Sure it is less dangerous to your coginitive brain cells than heavy drugs, but THC is pretty potent. Regular users are called burnouts for a reason...But even if you don't use regularly, the marijuana still stays in your system for a good bit of time. Just read an article from several clinical drug rehab centres, and they said that marijuana is now the hardest drug to deal with in rehab, and it is highly addictive for some people. Because it stays in the body for a good while (cumulative affect), and because most people think it's harmless, heavy pot users pose problems for the drug rehab facilities.

http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/Topics/SubstancesAndAddictions/Cannabis/Pages/default.aspx

You are right though that alcohol is bad...it is now the #1 drug for side effects and multiple medical issues. Just read a survey from Great Britain last month, where the goverment and a bunch of medical insurance companies had doctors fill out forms regarding reasons for patients being in the office that day. They surveyed hundreds of doctors, and thousands of patients saw their doctors that day for alcohol related issues.

Here are some links that I use with my students and colleagues, as drug education is a big part of my curriculum:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/

http://www.and-taq.ca/

http://www.ccsa.ca/eng/pages/home.aspx

Can you point me to the studies that prove Marijuana has a long-term negative effect on the brain?

There are "medications" that people can take but they are not safer or better than marijuana just because they are legal. I take tramadol for chronic pain. I've only been on it three months and started to build a tolerance after six weeks. I could take a dose at breakfast and feel okay until my next dose at dinner. Now I start to feel like crap around 2pm. If I miss a dose I begin going through terrible withdrawl. So, you can't tell me that tramadol is better for me because it is legal.

Again, so much misinformation about marijuana usage. It can have long-term effects on the brain...go find some marijuana burnouts who have been doing it for years, and you'll have your proof.

But you are correct that prescription meds are majorly bad, and they are legal. But again, so is alcohol. Legalized vs non-legalized drugs is always an interesting discussion...

Thanks! You brought up interesting points. It's hard to say whether people who currently do not smoke marijuana would start. I'm guessing maybe youth would. But if it did get legalized, I would hope that there would be limits and restrictions~age restrictions, driving restrictions, work restrictions, etc...

I guess to you I would say it might be worth your while to do some more research on marijuana and its effects.

I will say there is a huge difference between someone who is high on pot and someone who is drunk on alcohol.

I am very pro-marijuana being legalized. I will also admit that I use it sometimes. Some people come home from work and want to relax with a beer, I prefer a "cigarette". I have two masters degrees, a professional certification, stable job doing research and working with children, stable and happy lifestyle. I don't tell people at work that I do this sometimes because they would likely judge me into a very stereotyped category which far from describes me. As for drinking, I have the occassional glass of wine, beer or a mixed drink at a restaurant. I despise being around drunk people & avoid bars. I am VERY against drinking and driving (or being under the influence of anything intoxicating and driving). I would be extremely against driving and being high.
But I do feel that what I do in the privacy of my own home or my own backyard should be my own business.

Marijuana use is legal in many other countries in the world and it seems to be a non-issue because no one makes a big deal out of it.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't tell people you smoke up, as it sounds like you think it's fine, so why not tell others you do it? Why hide it if there is in fact nothing wrong with this behaviour?

I always find it conflicting when I read people espousing the virtues of drugs, and then throw out there that they have multiple university degrees. I always come back with being book smart is vastly different from being life smart...and it's not just intellect that is important here. How's your paranoia, judgment or memory? Obviously you say you don't have daily cognitive side effects from marijuana, but the fact that you say you need it to unwind is problematic. Not all of my students smoke up each day, all day long, but those students still have been deemed by the public health nurse and their doctors to have issues. When you feel like you have to do it to get through the day, or, unwind after a long day at work, that is problematic. Have you ever thought about why you feel the need to smoke up when you get home?

I find it highly hypocritical that you despise drunk people but being around someone who is high is ok? I'm not following why one is better than the other? You are both under the influence of drugs, so not sure why your drug is better than the other? Sure, alcohol can make some people act obnoxiously, but I think it's pretty obnoxious to be around someone who is stoned as well? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but why are you separating drugs and their behaviours?

Interesting discussion, Tiger

 

[Aisling]

Marijuana use is legal in many other countries in the world and it seems to be a non-issue because no one makes a big deal out of it.

I did some reading about this and you're right.

I think it's just going to take some time for people like me to get used to accepting it. As I said in another post, I haven't had experience with it, only the pothead scare tactics my parents used on me and are still with me to this day.

I'm big on personal freedom with personal responsibility, and the thought that we're not allowed to grow a natural plant and smoke it if we want to makes me feel constricted by the government. But then back to mom's and dad's voices again. makes me coocoo.

The funny thing is, I have a feeling my mom has smoked pot and would probably do it now if it were legal!

 

[mjkacmom]

Again, so much misinformation about marijuana usage. It can have long-term effects on the brain...go find some marijuana burnouts who have been doing it for years, and you'll have your proof.
I find it highly hypocritical that you despise drunk people but being around someone who is high is ok? I'm not following why one is better than the other? You are both under the influence of drugs, so not sure why your drug is better than the other? Sure, alcohol can make some people act obnoxiously, but I think it's pretty obnoxious to be around someone who is stoned as well? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but why are you separating drugs and their behaviours?

Interesting discussion, Tiger

I think all drugs can do damage to the brain if overused/abused. Heck, look at Charlie Sheen! There is a difference in behavior, drunk vs. high. I've been around many people who've smoked pot, and I don't remember a single argument, or punch thrown. I've seen many alcohol related fights (especially camping, when people don't have to worry about driving).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I voted Yes and I Don't Care. Because I don't see it as any worse than tobacco or alcohol, but I don't smoke, so it's not an issue I feel deeply about.

 

[tvguy]

Then why legalize marijuana and then tax it through the roof only use those funds to discourage people from smoking it (and pay for medical treatment)? Just keep it illegal but don't make it's use criminal with jail time. Just a big fat fine.

I still don't support taxing things to discourage people from using a product.

I can't say I disagree, but taxing things to discourage people from using a product is what our society has deemed acceptable. Cigarettes, gasoline, electricity, natural gas, water, alcohol, cars that get poor gas mileage are all taxed extra to encourage you to not use them, or use less of them.

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

If the person using isn't harming others I see no need to put them in county lock up or charge them with possession. Its just tax dollars being wasted.

 

[collegejunkie]

i think it should be legal, but i definitely think that DUI laws will need to be a little stricter because sometimes people aren't 100% sure when the effects have warn off and such.

 

[poohbear227]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't tell people you smoke up, as it sounds like you think it's fine, so why not tell others you do it? Why hide it if there is in fact nothing wrong with this behaviour?

I always find it conflicting when I read people espousing the virtues of drugs, and then throw out there that they have multiple university degrees. I always come back with being book smart is vastly different from being life smart...and it's not just intellect that is important here. How's your paranoia, judgment or memory? Obviously you say you don't have daily cognitive side effects from marijuana, but the fact that you say you need it to unwind is problematic. Not all of my students smoke up each day, all day long, but those students still have been deemed by the public health nurse and their doctors to have issues. When you feel like you have to do it to get through the day, or, unwind after a long day at work, that is problematic. Have you ever thought about why you feel the need to smoke up when you get home?

I find it highly hypocritical that you despise drunk people but being around someone who is high is ok? I'm not following why one is better than the other? You are both under the influence of drugs, so not sure why your drug is better than the other? Sure, alcohol can make some people act obnoxiously, but I think it's pretty obnoxious to be around someone who is stoned as well? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but why are you separating drugs and their behaviours?

Interesting discussion, Tiger

I think if you go back and read my post, I already answered your question about why I choose not to tell people at my work that I occasionally smoke pot. But, in case you did not read my post, I will reiterate. Unfortunately, there is a stereotype that people gather when they find out that someone smokes pot-whether it's occasional or frequent. I have friends at work who go out and get very drunk every weekend or during the work week, yet they are still considered competent individuals at work. There are a few people at my work who have chosen to admit that they smoke pot on occasion and unfortunately people immediately start to wonder "are they high right now?" or they assume that person is not intelligent. It's a ridiculous stereotype, but it's just the way society views it. You actually just proved my point in your own comeback to my post. My book smarts and my life smarts are quite comparable & I am proud and satisfied with how I choose to live my life. I do not have issues with paranoia, my cognition is good, as is my judgment & my response rate. As I mentioned, I am an occasional pot smoker. I am also a healthy promoter of moderation~too much of anything is inevitably going to lead to unhealthy side effects. I also do not *need* to smoke pot when I come home from work. I *choose* to on occasion and I find nothing wrong with that.

Not sure where you work, or the demographic you work with, but it sounds to me like you are stereotyping anyone who smokes pot with the pot smoking students that you work with. I never said that I *need* to smoke pot everyday I come home from work. I never said that I turn to it anytime I am stressed. I also never mentioned to you how much I smoke & how often (aside from "occasional"). I also never said that I thought that alcohol was better or worse than marijuana. Yet, you inferred from all of that that I must have issues, that I rely on marijuana to unwind, and that I think pot is better than alcohol. I never said that at all. What I said was I despise being around drunk people. The demeanor of large groups of drunk people is not my idea of a fun evening. I do not judge people who live that lifestyle; it's just not for me.

I agree with you that marijuana is not 100% healthy. I never claimed that it was. I'm sure it does have undesirable side effects, to some extent, depending on how often you use it. I guess my confusion is that there are several other plants and drugs out there that are legal and have long term and deadly side effects: alcohol, prescription meds, caffeine, nicotine, fast food, whatever. Just because something is legal, does not make it good for you. I make choices in my life based on my own research and my own judgment~not based on anyone else's. I do what I know is right and comfortable for my own life. & just because I choose not to tell my colleagues at work every aspect of what I do in the privacy of my own home, certainly doesn't make me a hypocrite. If I were a drinker, I would likely not tell my colleagues at work about my drunken escapades. If I were single, I would likely not share with my colleagues about any sexual encounters I had. For myself, there are certain topics that I feel are not appropriate to share with coworkers~and if people are going to have the same stereotype that you seem to have about occasionally smoking pot, why would I bother divulging that information?

I find it somewhat amusing how some people view marijuana and how some people view those who choose to use it once in a while. I'm guessing you would never ask questions about cognition and mental status to someone who admits to the occasional glass of beer or wine after work, occasional cup of coffee to help wake up in the morning, prescription medication, indulging in a hot fudge sundae to celebrate a special occasion. Yet, occasional marijuana usage gets mentioned and you immediate wonder if I am "life smart" or if I have issues.

 

[Heidict]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. It sounds reasonable to legalize it for medicinal purposes, though.

It's not like tobacco because tobacco doesn't impair your mind.

I admit I don't know much about marijuana, but if it makes people act like drunks, then I don't think we need more impaired drivers on the roads. There are so many DUIs as it is.

If it's legalized to the general public, will people who never wanted to smoke it then smoke it because it's legal? That's what I'm afraid of, having tons more people being able to walk into a store and get stoned and get into a car. At least if it stays illegal, people will be less inclined to take a chance of breaking the law to get high.

I'd have to do more research to see how marijuana affects people when they're out in public. Maybe someone here could fill me in.

It's a tough decision for me to make, because while I believe in personal freedoms (like getting high if you want to), I'm afraid they'll put my life in danger if they drive. As I said, the drunks are bad enough.

I saw a very intersting show once that was filmed in Britian. It spoke about weed and the affects it has on the body. They said that studies showed that a person who was legally drunk was 10x more likely to be involved in a auto accident. When under the influence of weed you were twice as likely.

Alcohol made people more aggressive, did thinks in a more manic state causing them to speed. When high on weed, a person became more cautious and slower.

I agree, there are medications to take! It's proven to kill brain cells and lead to other drug use in many cases. Don't give me the line that it's the same as alcohol, it's not! Not entirely.

You are right. Alcohol is tons of times worse then week.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Frankly, I don't understand why anything is banned, if a Dr. says it's necessary then that should be enough. It should all be legal with a prescription, all drugs/meds should be.

Obviously this countries war on drugs has been a colossal failure, why not work on maintaining safety and funneling money away from criminal enterprises? Sure there will still be abuse and counterfeits but the DEA would have a much easier time managing things.

FYI, I don't use, it's just not my scene, nor am I an advocate, I just don't think drug users belong in jail with sex offenders and murderers, let the substance abusers out and make more room for the serious criminals.

 

[Luv'sTink]

How are you going to regulate something that comes across both borders in droves. They make tunnels, are you people nuts? The cost of trying to regulate it will be absurd because now the government will be losing money on it in the form of tax.

I hate the smell of it and don't care to have to smell it or be around it, cigarettes are bad enough, bleh!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

How are you going to regulate something that comes across both borders in droves. They make tunnels, are you people nuts? The cost of trying to regulate it will be absurd because now the government will be losing money on it in the form of tax.

I hate the smell of it and don't care to have to smell it or be around it, cigarettes are bad enough, bleh!

I'm sure people said the same thing regarding prohibition.But alcohol sales went right back up at the end of prohibition. Those who made alcohol during prohibition no longer needed to make it. This country regulates all drugs, alcohol, transportation, food safety, etc. I don't see the US collapsing if we add marijuana to this list.
I'm not really sure where you heard about drug tunnels from Canada into the US, but I'd be really interested in a link or reference. And like with alcohol, once it is overseen and regulated by the government, there will be no need to go digging thru holes in Mexico and Canada to get a joint. And you say the government will be losing money on it in the form of taxes? You really need to explain this one to me. I have never heard of the US losing and not gaining money on tax. In fact, the very definition of a tax is "A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions"


Up until now, this has been a friendly discussion. Don't call people names. You are free to disagree with anything in the world, but when you resort to name calling, it only makes you look bad. Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

frankly, I don't understand why anything is banned, if a Dr says it's necessary then that should be enough. It should all be legal with a prescription, all drugs/meeds should be.

Obviously this countries war on drugs has been a colossal failure, why not work on maintaining safety and funnelling money away from criminal enterprises? Sure there will still be abuse and counterfeits but the DEA would have a much easier time managinging things.

FYI, I don't use, it's just not my scene, nor am I an advocate, I just don't think drug users belong in jail with sex offenders and murderers, let the substance abusers out and make more room for the serious criminals.

Love this point. I have read so many good posts about how legalizing marijuana would actuallybenefit this country. Can someone in DC read this thread?
Let's get this going and start paying down that deficit and adding new jobs!

You mention that drug abusers don't belong in prison with real criminals? That's a big freakin savings right there. I think it takes maybe an average of 30-40k a year to house, feed, clothe etc inmates. By lowering the prison population by only housing criminals, there is no telling how much money that would save both state and fed.

 

[ford family]

Up until now, this has been a friendly discussion. Don't call people names. You are free to disagree with anything in the world, but when you resort to name calling, it only makes you look bad. Thanks!

Oh please, if you think someone saying "are you people nuts?" amounts to unfriendly name calling then you really must get out more.

ford family

 

[Tiger926]

I think if you go back and read my post, I already answered your question about why I choose not to tell people at my work that I occasionally smoke pot. But, in case you did not read my post, I will reiterate. Unfortunately, there is a stereotype that people gather when they find out that someone smokes pot-whether it's occasional or frequent. I have friends at work who go out and get very drunk every weekend or during the work week, yet they are still considered competent individuals at work. There are a few people at my work who have chosen to admit that they smoke pot on occasion and unfortunately people immediately start to wonder "are they high right now?" or they assume that person is not intelligent. It's a ridiculous stereotype, but it's just the way society views it. You actually just proved my point in your own comeback to my post. My book smarts and my life smarts are quite comparable & I am proud and satisfied with how I choose to live my life. I do not have issues with paranoia, my cognition is good, as is my judgment & my response rate. As I mentioned, I am an occasional pot smoker. I am also a healthy promoter of moderation~too much of anything is inevitably going to lead to unhealthy side effects. I also do not *need* to smoke pot when I come home from work. I *choose* to on occasion and I find nothing wrong with that.

Not sure where you work, or the demographic you work with, but it sounds to me like you are stereotyping anyone who smokes pot with the pot smoking students that you work with. I never said that I *need* to smoke pot everyday I come home from work. I never said that I turn to it anytime I am stressed. I also never mentioned to you how much I smoke & how often (aside from "occasional"). I also never said that I thought that alcohol was better or worse than marijuana. Yet, you inferred from all of that that I must have issues, that I rely on marijuana to unwind, and that I think pot is better than alcohol. I never said that at all. What I said was I despise being around drunk people. The demeanor of large groups of drunk people is not my idea of a fun evening. I do not judge people who live that lifestyle; it's just not for me.

I agree with you that marijuana is not 100% healthy. I never claimed that it was. I'm sure it does have undesirable side effects, to some extent, depending on how often you use it. I guess my confusion is that there are several other plants and drugs out there that are legal and have long term and deadly side effects: alcohol, prescription meds, caffeine, nicotine, fast food, whatever. Just because something is legal, does not make it good for you. I make choices in my life based on my own research and my own judgment~not based on anyone else's. I do what I know is right and comfortable for my own life. & just because I choose not to tell my colleagues at work every aspect of what I do in the privacy of my own home, certainly doesn't make me a hypocrite. If I were a drinker, I would likely not tell my colleagues at work about my drunken escapades. If I were single, I would likely not share with my colleagues about any sexual encounters I had. For myself, there are certain topics that I feel are not appropriate to share with coworkers~and if people are going to have the same stereotype that you seem to have about occasionally smoking pot, why would I bother divulging that information?

I find it somewhat amusing how some people view marijuana and how some people view those who choose to use it once in a while. I'm guessing you would never ask questions about cognition and mental status to someone who admits to the occasional glass of beer or wine after work, occasional cup of coffee to help wake up in the morning, prescription medication, indulging in a hot fudge sundae to celebrate a special occasion. Yet, occasional marijuana usage gets mentioned and you immediate wonder if I am "life smart" or if I have issues.

Yup, I read your entire post - I'm a teacher, so reading is no problem for me. Didn't infer at all, as I spoke directly to the issues that you mentioned.

As point of clarification, I will not pass judgment, nor question medical marijuana patients at all, as they are ill. I am only speaking about people who choose to do it for recreation, as it sounds like you do, from the info you have provided. All of the recreation people, are making it very difficult for the ill people to get the medicinal marijuana around here, and that is problematic. I don't believe that legalizing will make a difference in that respect, and that is why I voted the way I did.

We won't get into the differences between book smarts and life smarts...but in my world, there is no difference, as you still have chosen to put a recreational drug into your body.

I based my answer on exactly what you wrote. I never said you smoke everyday, as you particularly mentioned that you didn't. Despite you feeling otherwise, it is still problematic (you can argue with our public health nurses) that you feel the need to smoke up to "unwind" - regardless of whether it's daily (although that would be an addiction), or monthly, the reason/s you smoke up is what we deal with in our students.

I am not comparing you to my students who smoke up everyday either, in terms of how you may present cognitively as a marijuana smoker. I didn't say that it was related to a noticeable difference in intelligence, but you can refer to my above answer in regards to life smarts vs book smarts, in relation to your personal choice to smoke up. Daily smokers are burnouts, but you may never truly know what your brain is capable of, when there are drugs involved.

As an aside, you are lucky that you don't have paranoia or judgment issues either. And I absolutely would ask someone how their judgment is after consuming a glass of wine, as alcohol is a drug, just like marijuana is, so it affects your brain, plain and simple. Come on! That is why you smoke up in the first place. If it weren't, you woudn't waste your time. A hot fudge sundae does not affect your brain, by the way.

You have done whatever research you needed to, in order to justify what choices within yourself, and there is nothing that I, nor anyone else can say about that. Obviously, you did not read any of the links that I provided, but they really are good in terms of a non-lecturing style. They present evidence from a scientific angle, that is easy to understand, about what drugs do to our bodies and minds based on the active ingredients, and their ability to alter our minds. You feel that smoking marijuana occassionally is ok, and compare to other drugs, but my question is this: why do people need drugs (medicinal aside) in the first place? My students do the same thing - they try and convince us that it's ok to smoke up as it's natural, and cocaine or heroine are so much worse. Why are these the only choices?

This is what we teach our students. We teach them that you don't need drugs to alter your state of being, unwind from a long day at work, or to get over a breakup with their boy/girlfriend. You are an adult, so you can do otherwise, but in our world, we need to let them know that despite the fact that there are legal or illegal drugs available, it is not necessary to partake in them at all.

And, as related to the medicinal part of the question, all of the recreational users are making it very problematic for the medicinal users to get what they need. Canada is having huge issues with this, as people are selling their licenses, doctors are fudging documents, and medicinal users are giving it away to friends/family.

Thanks for the discussion, Tiger