Slog
News & ArtsMonday, July 20, 2009
Drugs Same High, Less Risk
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 10:15 AM
So marijuana is more potent now than ever—partly in response to marijuana prohibition. The stronger it is, the less you have to grow and smuggle. Anti-pot crusaders are always insisting that pot smoke is as bad or worse for you than cigarette smoke. That may be true. But pot smokers, unlike cigarette smokers, don't sit there and smoke to smoke. They smoke to get high. And once they're high, they put the pot away and break out the chips and dip. So when pot is stronger you smoke less of it to achieve the same high—and that's a good thing, since pot smoke is bad for you.
2
And is it just me or does it stink more now than it used to? I used to kind of like the smell of weed, but for the past few years it seems to have taken o a real skunk-ish quality.
4
Yesterday I heard an interview on NPR talking about predator drones on the Canadian border, and the gentleman they were interviewing claimed that BC Bud is "lethal."
Yeah...right.
Yeah...right.
5
Giving the least bit of credence to pot scare tactics is hazardous to your health. The reason the official story changes every two minutes is because the drug warriors don't have a case. Pot is illegal because they say it is. There is no other reason.
7
I always thought the "pot was different when we were kids" line was pretty silly. I mean sure it was less potent but you just smoked more of it. Getting high has not really changed.
8
I dunno that heavy duty smokers put the weed away when they're high. Some just keep on going and going and going and eating and going till they fall asleep in front of the Simpson's, drooling on themselves. This niche of hardcore smokers out-smoke all but chaining cigarette smokers.
9
I totally agree. As much as some pot smokers would like to deny it, pot smoke IS hard on the lungs. Stronger weed that you need to smoke less of can only be a good thing.
10
Inhaling pot smoke isn't actually that risky, especially when compared with tobacco and automobile fumes.
11
I have no clue, I've never tried either pot or cigarettes. I'm a square. Although, it does make sense that stronger pot would allow the smoker to actually smoke less, and therefore be easier on the lungs.
12
yeah for potent pot - I hate that weak shit.
stinks more due to the fertilizers I've been told - for growing it faster.
- only complaint I have. . . some growers need to stop haversting premature weed and dry that stuff proper. take some pride in your work for cryin' out loud.
stinks more due to the fertilizers I've been told - for growing it faster.
- only complaint I have. . . some growers need to stop haversting premature weed and dry that stuff proper. take some pride in your work for cryin' out loud.
14
Marijuana Anonymous??? wtf? I think it just means that you can't bear to take responsibility for your actions and are looking for something to blame!
15
It's also an important point, on top of greater potency requiring less smoke, that weed is not addictive the way cigarettes are. Potency aside, your typical weed smoker is going to smoke less than your typical cigarette smoker.
16
But pot smokers, unlike cigarettes, don't sit there and smoke to smoke.
You sure Dan? Also sentence structure fail.
You sure Dan? Also sentence structure fail.
17
I know of quite a few pot smokers that smoke and smoke and smoke non-stop until they run out.
If they could get it cheaper and easier, I'm guessing they probably would chain-smoke it.
Just sayin...
If they could get it cheaper and easier, I'm guessing they probably would chain-smoke it.
Just sayin...
18
There are good, affordable, portable vaporizers available now, people. They work great and spare the lungs. Get one. :)
19
"So marijuana is more potent now than ever—partly in response to marijuana prohibition. The stronger it is, the less you have to grow and smuggle."
Nonsense. Cultivating stronger weed would still be an art form, even if it were legal (see, the Cannabis Cup in the Netherlands).
Stronger weed is also more difficult to smuggle because it has a stronger smell, so that is an additional risk.
I do agree that stronger weed is better for your lungs because you don't smoke as much. People who smoke cheap Mexican brick weed need to smoke until their lungs bleed to catch a decent high.
Nonsense. Cultivating stronger weed would still be an art form, even if it were legal (see, the Cannabis Cup in the Netherlands).
Stronger weed is also more difficult to smuggle because it has a stronger smell, so that is an additional risk.
I do agree that stronger weed is better for your lungs because you don't smoke as much. People who smoke cheap Mexican brick weed need to smoke until their lungs bleed to catch a decent high.
20
#2 - Of course different kinds of pot have different smells, some stronger than others, but if you're referring to the odor when it is simply on one's person, I think I can blame this phenomenon to many young people's inability—possibly related to the demise of the film camera—to properly wrap their weed.
22
No one has EVER died from an overdose of pot. It's just not possible. Also, you can cook it into butter, and use that for brownies, or just to spread on toast. The high is a bit different, and it is more difficult to control how high you get without some formula to know what to eat that is equivalent to how much you'd usually smoke.
When you smoke, you get off instantly. When you eat it, it takes a while. Then you get the munchies, and.... But it is much easier on the lungs.
And there are a lot of people who smoke pot, and still have a life. Just as there are people who drink and still have a life.
Then there are other people who will sit and drink one drink after the next until they pass out, and they CAN die from an alcohol overdose.
When you smoke, you get off instantly. When you eat it, it takes a while. Then you get the munchies, and.... But it is much easier on the lungs.
And there are a lot of people who smoke pot, and still have a life. Just as there are people who drink and still have a life.
Then there are other people who will sit and drink one drink after the next until they pass out, and they CAN die from an alcohol overdose.
23
Can someone at The Stranger please report on Seattle's massive marijuana shortage right now? Have Dominic contact one of his medical marijuana contacts -- they can verify as medical marijuana dispensaries have been the hardest hit (they generally rely on large strains). It probably hasn't affected many small dealers who grow their own product. Drug busts are taking legal medicine away from patients and forcing them to look to street product.
Consider this a Slog tip!
Consider this a Slog tip!
25
If I remember right there is always a weed shortage around this time of year. Can't really remember what point in summer exactly, maybe I'm off by a month.
27
They always say "this isn't your dad's grass" or whatever because it's like a potent drug now, but I really wish I could get some of my dad's weed. Just sit back and be mellow. Weed makes my heart race and my body seize. Sucks
28
Marijuana is no more potent now than it was 1000 years ago, it just depended on where you lived. Which is less true now, because the varying gentics are widely available to growers worldwide, and that is a good thing.
The potency, level of psychoactive compounds THC and canabidiols is directly proportional to the origin and altitude at which the plant was historically grown. The higher the altitude the more resin the plant produces to insulate against cold mountain air.
Cannabis Indica Plants that originate from high altitude mountainous regions of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush region of Pakistan and Afghanistan have always been of very high potency. That is why these regions export Hashish. More resin in plants - easier to just make and transport hash.
Canabis Sativa varieties that are native to Africa (Durbans as they are called) that were brought to Mexico and Columbia with European explorers are generally of lower historical potency and were prized more as excellent sail cloth and rope material. These are the varieties that more readily available to Americans in the last century.
Now, you can get hybrids of any of the Sativas and Indicas, in any strength you want, to suit your taste.
There is NO known toxic limit to how much Marijuana you can smoke. There has never been one recorded case of someone ODing, it is not physically possible.
If you care to review further I recommend 2 books:
The Emperor wears no Clothes - Jack Herer
Marijuana Reconsidered - Dr. Lester Greenspoon
The potency, level of psychoactive compounds THC and canabidiols is directly proportional to the origin and altitude at which the plant was historically grown. The higher the altitude the more resin the plant produces to insulate against cold mountain air.
Cannabis Indica Plants that originate from high altitude mountainous regions of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush region of Pakistan and Afghanistan have always been of very high potency. That is why these regions export Hashish. More resin in plants - easier to just make and transport hash.
Canabis Sativa varieties that are native to Africa (Durbans as they are called) that were brought to Mexico and Columbia with European explorers are generally of lower historical potency and were prized more as excellent sail cloth and rope material. These are the varieties that more readily available to Americans in the last century.
Now, you can get hybrids of any of the Sativas and Indicas, in any strength you want, to suit your taste.
There is NO known toxic limit to how much Marijuana you can smoke. There has never been one recorded case of someone ODing, it is not physically possible.
If you care to review further I recommend 2 books:
The Emperor wears no Clothes - Jack Herer
Marijuana Reconsidered - Dr. Lester Greenspoon
29
I haven't smoked a bowl in like 8 months and never had the urge until reading this thread. Now I want to get baked like there is no tommorow.
Also, for several years I smoked, smoked, and smoked. Never came down except right after waking up in the morning... but not to fear, I would wake and bake every morning. This got to be an expensive habit because I smoked a 1/2 ounce every week. I was high for like 5 years straight.
Ah, the good 'ol days.
Also, for several years I smoked, smoked, and smoked. Never came down except right after waking up in the morning... but not to fear, I would wake and bake every morning. This got to be an expensive habit because I smoked a 1/2 ounce every week. I was high for like 5 years straight.
Ah, the good 'ol days.
30
I have yet to smoke any pot as powerful as the Thai sticks of the early 70's. I think the "more powerful" pot story is not from a reliable scientific study. They probably also have a study that proves that Noah had dinosaurs on the ark.
31
Ah yes the Thai Stick Potency Myth. Let me debunk.
The Thai Sticks you speak of were so strong because they were commonly dipped in either Hash Oil or Opium Resin or both. Equatorial strains from Southeast Asia have never proven to be particularly potent, so they manually "enhanced" it.
Currently the most potent strain known is Serious Seeds of Amsterdam's "White Russian".
The Thai Sticks you speak of were so strong because they were commonly dipped in either Hash Oil or Opium Resin or both. Equatorial strains from Southeast Asia have never proven to be particularly potent, so they manually "enhanced" it.
Currently the most potent strain known is Serious Seeds of Amsterdam's "White Russian".
32
I know we've all seen it a million times, but somehow it never gets old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZqYV9KKO…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZqYV9KKO…
33
"No one who uses pot has a life. Please make a note of it." -Dan Savage
Here's a small handful of people with no real lives: unlike Dan Savage who is sooo fucking amazing...he writes for a lame paper.
1) Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson
Owner of the Virgin Group
Estimated Worth: $5 Billion
2) Newt Gingrich
Politician
Speaker of the House 1995-1999
3) Ross Rebagliati
Olympic Gold Medalist Snowboarder 1998
4) David Hockney
Famous Painter
5) Richard Feynman
Physicist
6) Michael Bloomberg
Mayor of New York City
7) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Top 50 Greatest Basketball Player
8) Queen Victoria
Ruled Great Britian from 1837-1901
9) Aaron Sorkin
Television writer
Creator of “West Wing”
10) Robert Smith
Former Minesota Vikings Running back
Here's a small handful of people with no real lives: unlike Dan Savage who is sooo fucking amazing...he writes for a lame paper.
1) Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson
Owner of the Virgin Group
Estimated Worth: $5 Billion
2) Newt Gingrich
Politician
Speaker of the House 1995-1999
3) Ross Rebagliati
Olympic Gold Medalist Snowboarder 1998
4) David Hockney
Famous Painter
5) Richard Feynman
Physicist
6) Michael Bloomberg
Mayor of New York City
7) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Top 50 Greatest Basketball Player
8) Queen Victoria
Ruled Great Britian from 1837-1901
9) Aaron Sorkin
Television writer
Creator of “West Wing”
10) Robert Smith
Former Minesota Vikings Running back
34
33: It's called "sarcasm."
Also, you should not put Newt Gingrich on that list if you're trying to make weed users look good. Just sayin'
And people can tell all the stories they want about their stoner cousin who can never manage to pry his face away from his bong, it still doesn't prove that weed even approaches cigarettes in addictiveness. Every addiction to weed is psychological; similar to an addiction to video games, sit-coms, Jesus, or a morning jog. It's far less inevitable, way easier to get over (except for the Jesus one), and seldom (if ever) the fault of the product you're addicted to.
Physical addictions, on the other hand, like with cigarettes, are way likelier to happen, and much harder to kick. For every story about a stoner who spent an entire four years in college "addicted" to pot, there are dozens of stories about people who spent 40 years addicted to cigarettes.
Also, you should not put Newt Gingrich on that list if you're trying to make weed users look good. Just sayin'
And people can tell all the stories they want about their stoner cousin who can never manage to pry his face away from his bong, it still doesn't prove that weed even approaches cigarettes in addictiveness. Every addiction to weed is psychological; similar to an addiction to video games, sit-coms, Jesus, or a morning jog. It's far less inevitable, way easier to get over (except for the Jesus one), and seldom (if ever) the fault of the product you're addicted to.
Physical addictions, on the other hand, like with cigarettes, are way likelier to happen, and much harder to kick. For every story about a stoner who spent an entire four years in college "addicted" to pot, there are dozens of stories about people who spent 40 years addicted to cigarettes.
35
34: I was hoping it was sarcasm, but just in case...
And Newtie on the list was just to show the Republicans who think all marijuana smokers are losers that they can't categorize all users into a tidy box.
I totally agree with your spiel on cigs. Having a relative who got cancer (highest risk factor is chronic smoking which he did) I am totally on your side.
Also studies show that rastafarian mamas who smoked religiously (pun intended) during pregnancy and while nursing showed no complications with birth or developmental issues. In fact their babies had just as high (if not higher--pun not intended) IQ's than their non-smoking mamas babes.
Just sayin...
And Newtie on the list was just to show the Republicans who think all marijuana smokers are losers that they can't categorize all users into a tidy box.
I totally agree with your spiel on cigs. Having a relative who got cancer (highest risk factor is chronic smoking which he did) I am totally on your side.
Also studies show that rastafarian mamas who smoked religiously (pun intended) during pregnancy and while nursing showed no complications with birth or developmental issues. In fact their babies had just as high (if not higher--pun not intended) IQ's than their non-smoking mamas babes.
Just sayin...
36
Just to ask, anyone have statistics on marijuana-related death, injury, or crime (related to using, not commerce)? What's that look like compared to tobacco-related death, injury or crime, or alcohol-related?
Tried smoking once. Did nothing for me. Was fed a big slice of pot-cake (made by a local fine-dining chef, couldn't taste the pot at all). I spent the rest of the night happy but really stupid. I decided then pot wasn't my cup of tea (as it were).
A good friend of mine, though, suffered a spinal femur fracture in 2002 and required enough pain management to keep her sick until she got on medical marijuana, which chilled the pain without causing her to lose her lunch. In fact it kept her appetite up to the 3000 calorie diet she was prescribed for recovery. She was the poster child for med-pot even to the point of quitting once she could walk again. This was when the ATFE was making random busts at pot centers in California to keep the pressure on.
Tried smoking once. Did nothing for me. Was fed a big slice of pot-cake (made by a local fine-dining chef, couldn't taste the pot at all). I spent the rest of the night happy but really stupid. I decided then pot wasn't my cup of tea (as it were).
A good friend of mine, though, suffered a spinal femur fracture in 2002 and required enough pain management to keep her sick until she got on medical marijuana, which chilled the pain without causing her to lose her lunch. In fact it kept her appetite up to the 3000 calorie diet she was prescribed for recovery. She was the poster child for med-pot even to the point of quitting once she could walk again. This was when the ATFE was making random busts at pot centers in California to keep the pressure on.
37
Pot is not bad for you, if you use it once in a while. Like anything else, if you abuse it, it will be bad for you.
38
Regarding me @36, that's spiral fracture, and it was of her fibula, not femur.
No wonder I failed my first responder certification.
No wonder I failed my first responder certification.
39
actually, pot IS physically addictive. Many studies on animals have shown it. a few on humans have shown it. There is even a list of symptoms chronic (pot) smokers get when going through withdrawal (stomach upset being the most common physical symptom, depression and increased risk of suicide being the psychological symptoms) I'm not dissin' pot; i smoke it every day. But i have chosen to educate myself with real facts instead of with the stoner mythos about pot that gets perpetuated constantly.
Oh btw; recent long-term pot-smokin' study in france shows that the smoke is probably just as carcinogenic as cigarette smoke. But like it was pointed out earlier; one doesn't generally smoke as much pot as one does tobacco.
Oh btw; recent long-term pot-smokin' study in france shows that the smoke is probably just as carcinogenic as cigarette smoke. But like it was pointed out earlier; one doesn't generally smoke as much pot as one does tobacco.
40
@39: Birdboy, could you please cite some references for your information about physical addiction? I've never heard any such thing and doubt that it is accurate. You said that many studies have shown this, so it should be relatively simple for you to track a few of them down.
41
@39: You are full of shit.
Please read: Marijuana Reconsidered by Dr. Lester Grinspoon a Harvard MD PhD
Oh and btw you are full shit on point 2 as well. carcinogens present yes, damaging no.
http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20…
Please read: Marijuana Reconsidered by Dr. Lester Grinspoon a Harvard MD PhD
Oh and btw you are full shit on point 2 as well. carcinogens present yes, damaging no.
http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20…
42
#40 and #41: not "full of shit!" (whatever happened to civil discourse, btw?) I can and will cite several studies when i get home tonight. AND they will be from many PhD's and experts AND I WILL EVEN CITE MORE THAN ONE!! (that's for you, #41) OR you could put down the bong and do a search and find plenty of info on it yourself!!
I and other friends can personally vouch for the physical effects of withdrawal. Not everyone has them, but a lot do; they just aren't as bad as, say quitting cigarettes or alcohol.
And on point two; you didn't refute anything i said!? I did say carcinogens were present, but exposure is not as much as with tobacco. On the other hand, one has to look at the whole "inhaling" issue: tobacco has carcinogens, but most people don't inhale deeply, but inhale often. Pot has carcinogens but most people don't smoke often, but when they do, they tend to inhale deeply. there is much debate over the harm that pot does or does not do. To say it is not at all harmful is naive. To say you WILL get cancer is reactionary.
I will also cite the specific very recent studies that show that the age at which you start smoking pot makes a big difference in cancer rates too; (if you start smoking younger, you risk affecting certain cells called "seed cells" - that don't exist in the same form when you are an adult - that leads to an increased risk for prostate/testicular cancer.) (the female gender, obviously, is not affected on this one...score one for the ladies!)
I don't understand how you can say that carcinogens are present, but that the smoke isn't harmful!? This is the "stoner mythos" i was speaking of; just because it's natural, man, doesn't mean it can't hurt you!! (some other natural "herbal" substances that can be dangerous: heroin, cocaine, tobacco, digitalis, ricin. )Besides; ANY burned substance inhaled into the lungs is going to do some sort of damage either from the chemical residue or the particulates, or both. The real issue is whether or not the body is able to mitigate that damage before it is re-inflicted.
I can see by your use of language that you've already decided the issue for yourself. I have too: like i said, i use it regularly (daily for medical reasons as well as recreational), but i use it with knowledge that allows me to do a proper risk analysis and therefore use it it with my eyes wide open just like i would with any prescription medication.
Y'know; this is a GREAT time in terms of marijuana research...a lot of good things are coming out of it! Very soon there will be a whole new class of antidepressants based around the THC receptors. Already much has been learned about memory and sleep and appetite from this research.
I AM ALL FOR POT, just not for ignorance.
More...
I and other friends can personally vouch for the physical effects of withdrawal. Not everyone has them, but a lot do; they just aren't as bad as, say quitting cigarettes or alcohol.
And on point two; you didn't refute anything i said!? I did say carcinogens were present, but exposure is not as much as with tobacco. On the other hand, one has to look at the whole "inhaling" issue: tobacco has carcinogens, but most people don't inhale deeply, but inhale often. Pot has carcinogens but most people don't smoke often, but when they do, they tend to inhale deeply. there is much debate over the harm that pot does or does not do. To say it is not at all harmful is naive. To say you WILL get cancer is reactionary.
I will also cite the specific very recent studies that show that the age at which you start smoking pot makes a big difference in cancer rates too; (if you start smoking younger, you risk affecting certain cells called "seed cells" - that don't exist in the same form when you are an adult - that leads to an increased risk for prostate/testicular cancer.) (the female gender, obviously, is not affected on this one...score one for the ladies!)
I don't understand how you can say that carcinogens are present, but that the smoke isn't harmful!? This is the "stoner mythos" i was speaking of; just because it's natural, man, doesn't mean it can't hurt you!! (some other natural "herbal" substances that can be dangerous: heroin, cocaine, tobacco, digitalis, ricin. )Besides; ANY burned substance inhaled into the lungs is going to do some sort of damage either from the chemical residue or the particulates, or both. The real issue is whether or not the body is able to mitigate that damage before it is re-inflicted.
I can see by your use of language that you've already decided the issue for yourself. I have too: like i said, i use it regularly (daily for medical reasons as well as recreational), but i use it with knowledge that allows me to do a proper risk analysis and therefore use it it with my eyes wide open just like i would with any prescription medication.
Y'know; this is a GREAT time in terms of marijuana research...a lot of good things are coming out of it! Very soon there will be a whole new class of antidepressants based around the THC receptors. Already much has been learned about memory and sleep and appetite from this research.
I AM ALL FOR POT, just not for ignorance.
43
Here’s PART OF ONE article with SEVEN citations. More to come!!! (You asked)
The following article is excerpted from PSYCHIATRIC TIMES and is written by Kevin M. Gray, MD
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is a core feature of substance dependence, with the most severe withdrawal phenomena generally associated with alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid use. Withdrawal from marijuana is not recognized in DSM-IV, purportedly because at the time of publication it was not felt that this was a clinically significant phenomenon. Since then, however, substantial evidence has developed that supports the existence and clinical relevance of marijuana withdrawal.41-44 Marijuana withdrawal syndrome is most frequently characterized by a constellation of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that include anger and aggression, anxiety, decreased appetite and weight loss, irritability, restlessness, and sleep difficulty.45 Less frequent but sometimes present are depressed mood, stomach pain and physical discomfort, shakiness, and sweating.
Onset of withdrawal symptoms typically occurs within 24 hours of cessation. Symptoms may last days to approximately 1 to 2 weeks.43,44 The specificity of these withdrawal symptoms to marijuana's active ingredient—Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol—is supported by pharmacological studies. In nonhuman species, cannabis withdrawal has been reliably precipitated after the administration of a cannabinoid 1-receptor antagonist.46 In humans, oral Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol has been demonstrated to suppress marijuana withdrawal symptoms.47,48
(citations below; but in case you are too stoned to understand: Humans complain of certain symptoms while quitting marijuana. For SOME REASON if they are given a substance that mimics THC and affects the cannabinoid receptors, their symptoms go away!!! Sound like addiction to me!)
41. Budney AJ, Hughes JR, Moore BA, Novy PL. Marijuana abstinence effects in marijuana smokers maintained in their home environment. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2001; 58:917-924.
42. Budney AJ, Moore BA, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR. The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal. J Abnorm Psychol. 2003;112:393-402.
43. Haney M, Ward AS, Comer SD, et al. Abstinence symptoms following smoked marijuana in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999;141:395-404.
44. Kouri EM, Pope HG Jr. Abstinence symptoms during withdrawal from chronic marijuana use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000;8:483-492.
46. Lichtman AH, Martin BR. Marijuana withdrawal syndrome in the animal model. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002;42 (suppl 11):20S-27S.
47. Budney AJ, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR, et al. Oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol suppresses cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007;86:22-29.
48. Haney M, Hart CL, Vosburg SK, et al. Marijuana withdrawal in humans: effects of oral THC or divalproex. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004;29:158-170.
More...
The following article is excerpted from PSYCHIATRIC TIMES and is written by Kevin M. Gray, MD
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is a core feature of substance dependence, with the most severe withdrawal phenomena generally associated with alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid use. Withdrawal from marijuana is not recognized in DSM-IV, purportedly because at the time of publication it was not felt that this was a clinically significant phenomenon. Since then, however, substantial evidence has developed that supports the existence and clinical relevance of marijuana withdrawal.41-44 Marijuana withdrawal syndrome is most frequently characterized by a constellation of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that include anger and aggression, anxiety, decreased appetite and weight loss, irritability, restlessness, and sleep difficulty.45 Less frequent but sometimes present are depressed mood, stomach pain and physical discomfort, shakiness, and sweating.
Onset of withdrawal symptoms typically occurs within 24 hours of cessation. Symptoms may last days to approximately 1 to 2 weeks.43,44 The specificity of these withdrawal symptoms to marijuana's active ingredient—Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol—is supported by pharmacological studies. In nonhuman species, cannabis withdrawal has been reliably precipitated after the administration of a cannabinoid 1-receptor antagonist.46 In humans, oral Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol has been demonstrated to suppress marijuana withdrawal symptoms.47,48
(citations below; but in case you are too stoned to understand: Humans complain of certain symptoms while quitting marijuana. For SOME REASON if they are given a substance that mimics THC and affects the cannabinoid receptors, their symptoms go away!!! Sound like addiction to me!)
41. Budney AJ, Hughes JR, Moore BA, Novy PL. Marijuana abstinence effects in marijuana smokers maintained in their home environment. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2001; 58:917-924.
42. Budney AJ, Moore BA, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR. The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal. J Abnorm Psychol. 2003;112:393-402.
43. Haney M, Ward AS, Comer SD, et al. Abstinence symptoms following smoked marijuana in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999;141:395-404.
44. Kouri EM, Pope HG Jr. Abstinence symptoms during withdrawal from chronic marijuana use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000;8:483-492.
46. Lichtman AH, Martin BR. Marijuana withdrawal syndrome in the animal model. J Clin Pharmacol. 2002;42 (suppl 11):20S-27S.
47. Budney AJ, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR, et al. Oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol suppresses cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007;86:22-29.
48. Haney M, Hart CL, Vosburg SK, et al. Marijuana withdrawal in humans: effects of oral THC or divalproex. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004;29:158-170.
44
yay! Learned something new: chemicals in pot can slow and even stop growth of brain tumors! (oddly; behaviors in study and control group very similar!!!)
45
@39,43 birdboy: You seem really angry to me, a bit anxious even. OMG are you suffering from withdrawal? May be you should calm down and have another bong hit.
Or better yet, realize that the US government has spent upwards of a Trillion dollars on the war on weed since the 1930s trying in vain to convince people of the bullshit you are spewing about marijuana right now. They have funded thousands of tainted bullshit studies for 80 years that are nothing more than propaganda and you are eating up with a spoon.
Besides Dr. Ginspoon's excellent book you can also read:
1939 La Guardia Committe report: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Guardia_…
and also :
1972 National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse - "Marijuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Co…
Which if you read the full texts, will refute your claim of physical addiction. Not physically addictive in 1939, not physically addictive in 1972, not physically addictive today.
Or better yet, realize that the US government has spent upwards of a Trillion dollars on the war on weed since the 1930s trying in vain to convince people of the bullshit you are spewing about marijuana right now. They have funded thousands of tainted bullshit studies for 80 years that are nothing more than propaganda and you are eating up with a spoon.
Besides Dr. Ginspoon's excellent book you can also read:
1939 La Guardia Committe report: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Guardia_…
and also :
1972 National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse - "Marijuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Co…
Which if you read the full texts, will refute your claim of physical addiction. Not physically addictive in 1939, not physically addictive in 1972, not physically addictive today.
46
Birdboy I like the fact that you have cited and referenced so well. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the consequences of using pot so you can make an informed choice.
A recent study measures Skunk at 12-18% THC and 1.5% Canabidiol typically. Compared to Hash which is around 3.5% THC and 3.5% Canabidiol.
The THC element is the ingredient which causes mental health problems whilst the canabidiols inhibits the effect that THC causes.
I know many many young people who have had bad episodes due to smoking skunk and as a result do not use it any more - my own 20 year old daughter included.
Skunk smokers are deluding themselves by imagining that they will smoke less because it is stronger. I watch my friends loading their spliffs every day to try and get higher and higher. They use enough in one joint to last me a week!!!
My experience is that the more you smoke the less effect it has. I had developed a system that enables me to use almost homeopathic amounts (compared to my friends) and be comfortably stoned all day long. I tend only to smoke decent hash
and never experience paranoia or become depressed. If however I share a friends skunk loaded spliff it makes me feel like sh1t and ruins my evening. I have smoked pot for 30 years on a daily basis - does that make me an addict?? I know I don't want to have to go without.
For all you stoners out there - don't be deluded, try to be honest with yourself and reduce the harm.
Back in the day there was some excellent weed - good sensi from the Windies - now all you can get is skunk and I hate it. Bring back the good old stuff that gave you a good high, no flakey head moments and you could enjoy the company you were in.
A recent study measures Skunk at 12-18% THC and 1.5% Canabidiol typically. Compared to Hash which is around 3.5% THC and 3.5% Canabidiol.
The THC element is the ingredient which causes mental health problems whilst the canabidiols inhibits the effect that THC causes.
I know many many young people who have had bad episodes due to smoking skunk and as a result do not use it any more - my own 20 year old daughter included.
Skunk smokers are deluding themselves by imagining that they will smoke less because it is stronger. I watch my friends loading their spliffs every day to try and get higher and higher. They use enough in one joint to last me a week!!!
My experience is that the more you smoke the less effect it has. I had developed a system that enables me to use almost homeopathic amounts (compared to my friends) and be comfortably stoned all day long. I tend only to smoke decent hash
and never experience paranoia or become depressed. If however I share a friends skunk loaded spliff it makes me feel like sh1t and ruins my evening. I have smoked pot for 30 years on a daily basis - does that make me an addict?? I know I don't want to have to go without.
For all you stoners out there - don't be deluded, try to be honest with yourself and reduce the harm.
Back in the day there was some excellent weed - good sensi from the Windies - now all you can get is skunk and I hate it. Bring back the good old stuff that gave you a good high, no flakey head moments and you could enjoy the company you were in.
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