I've searched and searched for this group, I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist

[als463]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Under state law, yes. Under federal law, which constitutionally supercedes state law, it's still illegal. Legalized marijuana in California (and the other states that have legalized it) relies on (1) state officials deciding not to abide by federal law (a possible constitutional violation and a possible violation of the official's oath of office) and (2) the feds not wanting to put the resources into enforcing federal law.

MysticCat, THANK YOU for this! I try and try to get this through my Patients' heads. They all say, "Well, maybe I'll just move to CA-where it is legal." That's why (not that I believe people should use it and I am not advocating for it) I never understood why people would rather take their chances with getting caught using marijuana, which is illegal as opposed to smoking Salvia Divinorum-"Sally D" (what Miley Cyrus was reported to have used) where it is only illegal in some states and pending in others. It messes you up even more and you can buy it in headshops. If I was someone who used drugs, that is what I would be using.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by als463

MysticCat, THANK YOU for this! I try and try to get this through my Patients' heads. They all say, "Well, maybe I'll just move to CA-where it is legal." That's why (not that I believe people should use it and I am not advocating for it) I never understood why people would rather take their chances with getting caught using marijuana, which is illegal as opposed to smoking Salvia Divinorum-"Sally D" (what Miley Cyrus was reported to have used) where it is only illegal in some states and pending in others. It messes you up even more and you can buy it in headshops. If I was someone who used drugs, that is what I would be using.

Salvia is much more likely to result in a "bad trip"...I know plenty of people who have gotten sick from it and won't use it again. As far as I know that doesn't mean it's dangerous, but it can be unpleasant.

What I've been told (and yes, this is in no way legalese or personal experience) is that the medical marijuana users don't feel the need to worry because officials truly don't want to waste their time on them. They're willing to risk it because they make sure to keep only negligible amounts so that if they are arrested their punishment will be light. But again, this is what I've been told by friends that do use legally over on the west coast...I don't know how educated they are as to the letter of the law.

ETA: I will say as a cautious person I wouldn't smoke it even with the license. Unless it is legalized by the federal government, IMO even if the risk of being arrested is small, it isn't worth it. But I've never really been a risk taker. The three I know who do use it with a license think the benefit is worth the risk.

[als463]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Salvia is much more likely to result in a "bad trip"...I know plenty of people who have gotten sick from it and won't use it again. As far as I know that doesn't mean it's dangerous, but it can be unpleasant.

What I've been told (and yes, this is in no way legalese or personal experience) is that the medical marijuana users don't feel the need to worry because officials truly don't want to waste their time on them. They're willing to risk it because they make sure to keep only negligible amounts so that if they are arrested their punishment will be light. But again, this is what I've been told by friends that do use legally over on the west coast...I don't know how educated they are as to the letter of the law.

ETA: I will say as a cautious person I wouldn't smoke it even with the license. Unless it is legalized by the federal government, IMO even if the risk of being arrested is small, it isn't worth it. But I've never really been a risk taker. The three I know who do use it with a license think the benefit is worth the risk.

As a Chemical Dependency Therapist, I realize this. What I'm saying is that some people don't care how "bad" their trip is or they wouldn't try some of the drugs they try. If people were more afraid of legal consequences, they might try something that is legal but, also gives them some sort of trip.

In fact, it makes me wonder why Sally D isn't illegal in all states the way that marijuana is. Either way, I don't do drugs and I don't advocate for others to try them. I've seen too many lives ruined by experimentation and it's pretty sad.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by als463

If I was someone who used drugs, that is what I would be using.

That's easier said than done.

If I have a heroin addiction, "Weed Lite" isn't going to cut it.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

That's easier said than done.

If I have a heroin addiction, "Weed Lite" isn't going to cut it.

Weed isn't chemically addicting, only psychologically. People can have a desperate jones for weed, but they won't experience withdrawals. Not the same.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Weed isn't chemically addicting, only psychologically. People can have a desperate jones for weed, but they won't experience withdrawals. Not the same.

But heroin will cause users to experience withdrawals. That was my point. If I'm addicted to a hard drug, a "lesser" drug will not fill the void.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

But heroin will cause users to experience withdrawals. That was my point. If I'm addicted to a hard drug, a "lesser" drug will not fill the void.

true.
Heroin replaces a neurotransmitter in the brain, dopamine, which is reponsible for feeling happy. This happens after only a few shots and the addict is completely reliant on the heroin for happiness.
Weed only alters perceptions, not the brain itself.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

But heroin will cause users to experience withdrawals. That was my point. If I'm addicted to a hard drug, a "lesser" drug will not fill the void.

Yeah, I just read her post as saying it would be a better substitute for weed, not all illegal drugs. Someone addicted to heroin probably doesn't give a damn that it's illegal.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Tulip86

true.
Heroin replaces a neurotransmitter in the brain, dopamine, which is reponsible for feeling happy. This happens after only a few shots and the addict is completely reliant on the heroin for happiness.
Weed only alters perceptions, not the brain itself.

I miss my psychology days. Isn't dopamine one of the things they're looking at as a link to depression?

(random, but oh well lol)

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Yeah, I just read her post as saying it would be a better substitute for weed, not all illegal drugs. Someone addicted to heroin probably doesn't give a damn that it's illegal.

I read it as "If I were to choose to do drugs, I choose ____." I was just pointing out that if someone is on drugs, s/he is probably already addicted to a certain one.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I miss my psychology days. Isn't dopamine one of the things they're looking at as a link to depression?

(random, but oh well lol)



I read it as "If I were to choose to do drugs, I choose ____." I was just pointing out that if someone is on drugs, s/he is probably already addicted to a certain one.

I don't see it that way. There are a lot of people that do drugs recreationally and aren't continually "on drugs". We all knew (or knew of, at least) the kids in high school that smoked a little pot. It doesn't mean they're addicted. IMO that's a whole different ballgame from drugs like heroin. So I read it as her saying it could be an alternative to weed if someone feels that they have to smoke something (since it is legal)...which I don't personally think is a good idea. It seems to me that between those two, marijuana is definitely the lesser evil...it's just illegal and salvia isn't.

Originally Posted by als463

As a Chemical Dependency Therapist, I realize this. What I'm saying is that some people don't care how "bad" their trip is or they wouldn't try some of the drugs they try. If people were more afraid of legal consequences, they might try something that is legal but, also gives them some sort of trip.

In fact, it makes me wonder why Sally D isn't illegal in all states the way that marijuana is. Either way, I don't do drugs and I don't advocate for others to try them. I've seen too many lives ruined by experimentation and it's pretty sad.

Aside from the handful of people I know that have tried things like coke, acid, or ecstacy (which are the "hardest" drugs anyone I know has experimented with to my knowledge) the kids I know who experiment(ed) with drugs stick to weed and pills. It did matter how they'd feel, which is why IMO I've heard so many bad things about salvia (and definitely influences me to never try it, even though it's legal).

As a layperson, I know many people that have had horrible struggles with alcohol and pills. But none that have had problems (health-wise, not legally) resulting from marijuana use. As I've said, I don't smoke it and won't because IMO it's stupid to risk getting arrested. And I certainly don't claim it has no bad side effects or doesn't make it easier for some people to try other drugs. But I find alcohol and prescription drug abuse a million times more frightening than use of marijuana. I'm sure I'm hardly alone here in knowing people that have been killed by drunk drivers, lost their jobs and families to alcoholism, or ended up in the hospital after taking someone else's adderrall or loratab.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I miss my psychology days. Isn't dopamine one of the things they're looking at as a link to depression?

True! That's why depression is also associated with diseases like Parkinsons, caused by a decrease in the dopamine production in the brain.

My dad has Parkinsons and the dompamine pills he takes help with both the tremor and the depression.

[AlphaFrog]

I wouldn't care about the legalization of pot, except one thing: a female is born with all of the eggs she will ever have. Women do not "produce" eggs after birth. Women who smoke pot not only cause lower fertility for themselves, but they also cause fertility problems for their eggs (which could potentially be fertilized and become babies). How would it feel for your own child to not be able to have their own children because YOU decided to smoke pot? Men also damage their sperm, which can potentially affect a fetus, but I *think* if I remember right that it's more of a short-term issue...if he stops smoking, he clears up his sperm, depending on how much reproductive damage he has already caused himself.

I know that some potheads would argue that they're not having children, so it doesn't matter, but most potheads are pretty short-sighted (ex: OP), and don't think about the fact that many people change their minds about that kind of stuff when the biological clock starts ticking.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I wouldn't care about the legalization of pot, except one thing: a female is born with all of the eggs she will ever have. Women do not "produce" eggs after birth. Women who smoke pot not only cause lower fertility for themselves, but they also cause fertility problems for their eggs (which could potentially be fertilized and become babies). How would it feel for your own child to not be able to have their own children because YOU decided to smoke pot? Men also damage their sperm, which can potentially affect a fetus, but I *think* if I remember right that it's more of a short-term issue...if he stops smoking, he clears up his sperm, depending on how much reproductive damage he has already caused himself.

I know that some potheads would argue that they're not having children, so it doesn't matter, but most potheads are pretty short-sighted (ex: OP), and don't think about the fact that many people change their minds about that kind of stuff when the biological clock starts ticking.

I've been told the same thing. (About men and women) except for it effecting fertility of future children. Definitely something to take into consideration.

It's also bad for the lungs and does effect brain function after the initial effect wears off. I just think alcohol can be far more dangerous, and it's legal...just let people smoke their weed, and regulate it. At least it would make some sort of dent on the illegal drug trade which is, of course, an incredibly harmful and dangerous industry.