Ranting

[NickD]

I started last year, actually . I smoke like once a week, and so far I haven't had ANY bad experiences, no side-effects, and I'm getting straight Bs, and usually a couple of As . Also, weed is not addicting, so (if I wanted to) I could quit any time I want. Also, it hasn’t affected my memory, seeing, intelligence, or anything else in that nature. So....... back off ?

[leDoOd]

Um, marijuana has something like double or more the amount of tar than in cigarettes. So yeah, you keep smoking and telling yourself that, and I'll see you in the emergency room with lung cancer in a few years and I'll laugh.

[wormguy]

Um, marijuana has something like double or more the amount of tar than in cigarettes. So yeah, you keep smoking and telling yourself that, and I'll see you in the emergency room with lung cancer in a few years and I'll laugh.

Actually, to quote a cited wikipedia article,

Unlike tobacco, cannabis has not been shown to cause emphysema or lung cancer. [36][37][38] Other studies have suggested that cannabis may be less likely to cause birth defects or developmental delays in the children of users than other drugs.[39][40] According to a United Kingdom government report, using cannabis is less dangerous than both tobacco and alcohol in social harms, physical harm and addiction.[41]

There are lots of myths surrounding marijuana that simply aren't true. Unfortunately, because marijuana is illegal in most places, those facts probably won't come to light for some time.

[David]

Weed is not physically addicting in the same way as nicotine, in that there are no physical effects of withdrawal. However, it is psychologically addicting; eventually you can start to think of being high as normal, and being sober as harsh and abrasive. Since it is so easy to amuse yourself while you are high, it seems much less important to do things to improve yourself or your situation. It is really a question of philosophy whether or not this is a bad thing, but it is definitely real.

[Jeff]

There are lots of myths surrounding marijuana that simply aren't true. Unfortunately, because marijuana is illegal in most places, those facts probably won't come to light for some time.

How is it possible that smoking marijuana is not carcinogenic? I'm not claiming to know for sure that it is or it isn't because I haven't looked into it, but common sense would dictate that it would be. Do you have any reports that indicate that smoking marijuana is NOT carcinogenic? Just because there have not been any in depth studies on it does not prove the converse.

It's not the nicotine in cigarettes that causes cancer, it's the fact that burnt stuff tends to be carcinogenic. Even burning a steak on a grill or toasting a marshmallow too long so it catches fire is carcinogenic. Why would cigarette companies make their product so incredibly toxic and thus kill off their best customers if they could help it? If it was possible to smoke something without carcinogenic byproducts, why wouldn't a company create a non-lethal cigarette and instantly make billions of dollars?

There isn't always a conspiracy behind everything. Sometimes common sense is right.

[Usagi]

If it was possible to smoke something without carcinogenic byproducts, why wouldn't a company create a non-lethal cigarette and instantly make billions of dollars?

Obviously because it wouldn't have nicotine, which is the drug cigarette smokers want. Cigarettes are just a nicotine delivery system, like chewing tobacco, etc.

Nicotine in small doses is a highly addictive stimulant to mammals; tobacco plants developed it because it's a potent neurotoxin that's specific to insects. It kills bugs.

As Jeff said, it doesn't cause cancer; it just forces addicts to risk cancer to get the stimulation. And as David said, weed isn't physically addictive, but it is psychologically addictive: it just coerces people to risk cancer and other side effects to get the euphoria.

Most people don't have bad experiences with weed, but then, most lobsters don't have bad experiences with water. Until they happen to land in some water that starts out cool and ends up hot enough to kill them.

[Zantalos]

Most people don't have bad experiences with weed, but then, most lobsters don't have bad experiences with water. Until they happen to land in some water that starts out cool and ends up hot enough to kill them.

Like a shark.

[NickD]

Just because you guys can't see why smoking weed is so fun and (not addicting what so ever) you're capping on me because of it, Screw you guys. I'm going hoooooome... to smoke a big ass bowl of weed with KG.

[Crill3]

Oh, f*ck KG!

[Grayswandir]

Stop spreading the drugs! Look what you're doing to the poor harmless furry animals!!!

[Colicedus]

I think it HAS affected his intelligence

[mooindamorning]

wait..... didnt Grayswandir post that on some other thread?.........

[rudel_ic]

Weed is not physically addicting in the same way as nicotine, in that there are no physical effects of withdrawal. However, it is psychologically addicting; eventually you can start to think of being high as normal, and being sober as harsh and abrasive. Since it is so easy to amuse yourself while you are high, it seems much less important to do things to improve yourself or your situation. It is really a question of philosophy whether or not this is a bad thing, but it is definitely real.

Hey, that's my point. You... point stealer

I've smoked weed for some time, I've got a bunch of friends that still smoke. So I definitely know what I'm talking about. I know I'm right. Smoking weed can make you not care about a lot of things that are not related to it.

I think it's not the drug though, but the self-exclusion from people that don't smoke. In a way, it's elitarism (if that word exists).

Just because you guys can't see why smoking weed is so fun and (not addicting what so ever) you're capping on me because of it

Exactly what I'm talking about. Contrary to your belief, I know why smoking weed is so fun, and I'm not capping you. I'm trying to help you see the world without a veil tacked to your lids.

Go to a doctor and ask him about smoking weed. He will tell you about the psychological effects.

In your age, everything you do shapes your life. Do you really want to let a substance dictate what you're going to be?

[invertin]

^Very good advice

[Grayswandir]

*sighs*
Sure, good advice, but what's the point? Because you're bored? Because you have nothing better to do? Because you think he'll listen? Do you feel better about yourself because you've posted your opinion on a message board (I know I do...I love vindicating myself...)?
...
He's not going to listen...and if he even keeps it in mind, we have a miracle upon miracles in our hands.
...
Let me tell you something I've learned...
Trying to convince someone that they're wrong is one of the most useless things you could waste your time on.
...
Sure, you can warn him about pot, about how it's a stepping-stone into the world of addicting drugs and that he may go on to other things like Speed and such because the pot he's smoking won't give him the high he wants in a couple years...

But will he learn anything from that?
No.

Live and learn. He's going to keep smoking pot no matter what we say, mainly because:
1. He likes pot.
2. We're just faceless people who can type long rants on the internet.

Will he learn from his experience? Sure, if he's smart. But right now, there's no point in wasting your time trying to get all high-and-mighty and superior on his ass. He's not going to listen to you. Just like you probably won't listen to what I've written because you believe know better...just as I believe I know better.

Maybe I've just lost faith in humanity.