Potent Pot

[pingtheduck]

One of my regular soapboxes. Just FYI for parents and concerned adults. For the record - I think abusing alcohol is bad too. We all remember that thread!

From Dr. Laura


The University of Mississippi’s Potency Monitoring Project tracked the average amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in samples seized by law enforcement agencies from 1975 through 2007. They found that the average amount of THC reached 9.6% in 2007, representing more than a doubling of marijuana potency since 1983.

John Walters, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy cited “baby boomer parents who might have misguided notions that the drug contains the weaker potency levels of the 1970’s. Marijuana potency has grown steeply over the past decade, with serious implications for young people - the risk of psychological, cognitive and respiratory problems, and the potential for users to become dependent on drugs such as cocaine and heroin.” [AP, 6/12/08]

A report from the Office found that a teenager who has been depressed in the past year was more than twice as likely to have used marijuana than teenagers who have not reported being depressed - that’s 25% compared to the 12% for non-depressed teenagers. The study said marijuana use increased the risk (by 40%) of developing mental disorders.

It’s certainly not your Grandma’s pot anymore.

[2112]

And if it was legal and well regulated you could control and notify users of the THC content. Depressed teenagers using pot - I don't think that is unusual. Typically a depressed person will find ways to self-medicate be it alcohol, marijuana, Oxycontin or the myriad of legal drugs that are abused if they are not being treated by a professional.

This reminds me of prohibition of alcohol. No one was making 80 proof whiskey when you could make 180+ proof moonshine.

[pingtheduck]

I agree 2112. If I thought having pot legal wouldn't make it more available for teenagers than it already is I'd probably be a hundred percent for legalization. I just posted because I think lots of people think it's the same old wacky tabaccy for sale.

[2112]

$27 billion and counting spent on drug war. A monumental waste of money that has done nothing to curb drug use in America. I certainly don't see that the "War on Drugs" has stopped anyone from buying it that wanted it. Legalize it , regulate it and tax it.

War On Drugs Clock

[Robin]

2112-Amen!

[Wilbur]

Originally Posted by pingtheduck

I agree 2112. If I thought having pot legal wouldn't make it more available for teenagers than it already is.

It's hard to imagine it being much more available than it presently is. There is not a teen in RM who doesn't know who to call to get some pot. If adults could buy it in stores there would be a markedly smaller market for organized crime, though like beer kids would still find a way to get some.

[Birdieman]

2112, it's not the war on pot. It's the war on drugs, you know, crack, heroin, cocaine, meth etc... Should we make all those legal too? Might save even more of that 27 billion. You guys always come up with the same old and tired circular arguments. It's illegal, let it go.

[Wilbur]

Originally Posted by Birdieman

It's illegal, let it go.

So's driving home in your cart with a buzz on.

[2112]

Last time I checked marijuana was a Schedule 1 drug, same as crack, heroin, cocaine, meth etc... Sounds like you even admit there is a difference in marijuana and other Schedule 1 drugs. Because it is currently illegal doesn't mean it could not be made legal, regulated and taxed.

Why is marijuana illegal?

Schedule I

• The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
• The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
• There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
• Examples of Schedule I substances include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, and methaqualone.

[Birdieman]

Originally Posted by 2112

Last time I checked marijuana was a Schedule 1 drug, same as crack, heroin, cocaine, meth etc... Sounds like you even admit there is a difference in marijuana and other Schedule 1 drugs. Because it is currently illegal doesn't mean it could not be made legal, regulated and taxed.

There are differences in every drug, my point was that you always equate the war on drugs as a war on pot. It's a misleading statement to say legalize pot on save the money the government spends on the war on drugs. Pot is such a minute part of that spending and you know it, it's just your way of trying to justify your argument for the legalization of pot.