[NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]

[Anonymouse]

NORML E-Zine
Volume 7
Issue 34
September 2, 2004

The NORML E-Zine is a free weekly compilation of major news items
regarding marijuana policy. Text of archived stories is available on
NORML's website at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3442

Donate today to NORML's long-standing efforts to end pot prohibition!
https://secure.norml.org/join/

Sign up for NORML's monthly pledge program today!
https://secure.norml.org/join/pledge.html

Gear up for the upcoming presidential election by purchasing t-shirts,
hats and other products from NORML's new "Politically Thinking" line of
merchandise. Every design is intended to help spread NORML's message and
marijuana smokers to the polls this November. Budget conscious NORML
supporters should check out the new "T-shirts Under $15" section.
http://www.cafeshops.com/norml

####################
TOP STORIES

* 99 Percent Of All Marijuana Plants Eradicated In US Is Feral Hemp
* Alaska Court Narrows Marijuana Search Law
* Feds Back Down In CO Medical Marijuana Legal Case

__________________________________________________________________
99 Percent Of All Marijuana Plants Eradicated In US Is Feral Hemp,
Federal Data Reveals
Washington, DC: Approximately ninety-nine percent of all marijuana
eradicated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Domestic
Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program in 2003 was feral hemp-not
cultivated marijuana, according to figures recently published online by
the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics.
According to the DEA data, of the estimated 247 million marijuana
plants destroyed by law enforcement in 2003, more than 243 million were
classified as "ditch weed," a term the agency uses to define "wild,
scattered marijuana plants [with] no evidence of planting, fertilizing, or
tending." Unlike cultivated marijuana, feral hemp contains virtually no
detectable levels of THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, and
does not contribute to the black market marijuana trade.
NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre criticized the
program for spending millions of taxpayers' dollars eradicating hemp.
"Hemp is grown legally throughout most the Western world as a commercial
crop for its fiber content, yet the US government is spending taxpayers'
money to target and eradicate this same agricultural commodity," he said,
noting that many of today's current hemp plots are remnants of
US-government subsidized crops that existed prior to World War II.
"Virtually all wild hemp goes unharvested and presents no legitimate
threat to public safety. As such, it should be of no concern to the
federal government or law enforcement."
According to DEA figures, Indiana led all 50 states in the volume of
ditchweed eradicated, destroying more than 219 million plants. Oklahoma
law enforcement eradicated some 10 million plants, and Missouri destroyed
an estimated 4.5 million. More than half of all states failed to report
their ditch weed totals.
California led all 50 states in the number of cultivated plants
eradicated in 2003, with the DEA citing nearly 1.2 million plants
destroyed.
Begun in 1979, the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program
allocates federal funds to law enforcement agencies in all 50 states for
the purpose of uprooting marijuana. For 2003, DEA data indicates that
8,480 arrests were derived from law enforcement raiding over 34,000
outdoor plots, and over 2,600 indoor gardens.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, Executive
Director of the NORML Foundation, at [phone]. A past NORML report
and analysis on domestic marijuana cultivation is at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4444

Domestic Marijuana Number of marijuana
Plant Eradication (2003) plants eradicated
1.) California 1,181,957
2.) Tennessee 697,105
3.) Kentucky 527, 775
4.) Hawaii 392,422
5.) New York 99,423
-----------------------
46.) South Dakota 340
47.) Delaware 200
48.) Vermont 173
49.) Rhode Island 76
50.) Wyoming 33

Domestic Hemp Number of hemp
Plant Eradication (2003) plants eradicated
1.) Indiana 219,124,925
2.) Oklahoma 9,995,153
3.) Missouri 4,489,850
4.) North Dakota 3,200,000
5.) Minnesota 3,095,172

DEA Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program data is
available online at:
http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/1995/pdf/t438.pdf

_________________________________________
Alaska Court Narrows Marijuana Search Law
Police Must Now Suspect That More Than Four Ounces Of Marijuana Is
Involved
Anchorage, Alaska: Alaskan courts continue to observe that the right
of privacy for adults also includes possession up to 4 ounces of
marijuana. According to the Associated Press police cannot execute a
search warrant in a person's home for possession of less than 4 ounces of
marijuana, the Alaska Court of Appeals ruled last Friday.
The court ruled in the case of Leo Richardson Crocker, Jr., who was
charged with marijuana-related offenses after police, acting on a tip,
searched his home and found marijuana and growing equipment. The opinion
is the latest in a series of decisions that have carved out protections
for possessing marijuana in an Alaskan home.
The state Supreme Court in 1975 ruled that an adult's rights to
limited marijuana possession was protected under the state constitution's
privacy provisions. Last year, the Appeals Court defined that limit as 4
ounces. Further, the Appeals Court also struck down a 1990 voter
initiative that criminalized possession of any amount of marijuana.
You can read the Alaska Appeals Court opinion at:
www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/ap-1949.pdf

_________________________________________________
Feds Back Down In CO Medical Marijuana Legal Case
Return Marijuana Growing Equipment To Patient
Aurora, Colorado: Dana May, who suffers from chronic pain, won a major
legal victory last week when the federal government agreed to return all
of his marijuana-growing equipment.
The assistant U.S. attorney also informed NORML Legal Committee member
and Mr. May's criminal defense attorney, Robert J Corry, Jr., that the
feds will not prosecute May for any crime. However, the marijuana Mr. May
was caught with will not be returned.
Executive Director of the NORML Foundation Allen St. Pierre said that
Mr. May and his partner are genuine heroes for standing up to federal law
enforcement and "advocating for the common sense principle that if medical
marijuana is legal for approved patients in Colorado (and nine other
states), and if the government fails to provide for safe and legal access
to a physician-recommended medicine, then Mr. May is guilty at worse of
self-preservation."
May's doctor signed his legal forms in 2002 permitting him to grow and
use marijuana under Colorado law to help treat his chronic pain in his
legs and feet as a result of a 1995 accident. Mr. May called his victory
bittersweet and complained that anti-drug personnel should target hard
drug sellers rather then "going after little pot growers like me."
"I think this is a big step because the DEA giving my equipment back
they know what I'm going to do with it and it's like they're condoning
it," said Mr. May.
You can read more about federal cases against state-sanctioned medical
marijuana users at:
http://www.canorml.org/news/fedmmjcases.html.
For more information relating to Dana May's legal efforts against the
federal government, contact NLC member and Denver criminal defense
attorney Robert Corry Jr, at 303-634-2244.


####################
NORML Media Watch
NORML was featured prominently in several media outlets this week,
including The Olympian, The Lawrence Journal World, and The Abington
Mariner. To read these articles or about other NORML media appearances,
check out "NORML in the Media" at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481

Sign up for NORML's monthly pledge program today!
https://secure.norml.org/join/pledge.html

Smokers vote in 2004! Check out the candidate's updated positions on
marijuana policy. If you have not already done so, register to vote or
change your voter registration address at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5916
####################

[Mini HAWK]

Well the DRUGGIES are back, trying to make money promoting dumbed down
idealism and dope.

Stay Stoned, pupae. The rest of us are getting ahead, and leaving you
behind.

You are Brain dead and stupid, smoke that shit, it has weed killer in it.

I see your using University of Tennessee facilities, I'll pass the
information on to some people that will bust you.



http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html

http://www.nmfamilycouncil.org/articles/marijuanabadmedicine.htm

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993098

http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC00101/page3.html

http://www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm

http://www.screenagercentral.com/summit/right_angle/

http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2000_Nov_Dec/article_13.html

http://www.skincareindia.com/index-cid-19-pid-1960.html

Post by Anonymouse
NORML E-Zine
Volume 7
Issue 34
September 2, 2004
The NORML E-Zine is a free weekly compilation of major news items
regarding marijuana policy. Text of archived stories is available on
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3442
Donate today to NORML's long-standing efforts to end pot prohibition!
https://secure.norml.org/join/
Sign up for NORML's monthly pledge program today!
https://secure.norml.org/join/pledge.html
Gear up for the upcoming presidential election by purchasing t-shirts,
hats and other products from NORML's new "Politically Thinking" line of
merchandise. Every design is intended to help spread NORML's message and
marijuana smokers to the polls this November. Budget conscious NORML
supporters should check out the new "T-shirts Under $15" section.
http://www.cafeshops.com/norml
####################
TOP STORIES
* 99 Percent Of All Marijuana Plants Eradicated In US Is Feral Hemp
* Alaska Court Narrows Marijuana Search Law
* Feds Back Down In CO Medical Marijuana Legal Case
__________________________________________________________________
99 Percent Of All Marijuana Plants Eradicated In US Is Feral Hemp,
Federal Data Reveals
Washington, DC: Approximately ninety-nine percent of all marijuana
eradicated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Domestic
Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program in 2003 was feral hemp-not
cultivated marijuana, according to figures recently published online by
the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics.
According to the DEA data, of the estimated 247 million marijuana
plants destroyed by law enforcement in 2003, more than 243 million were
classified as "ditch weed," a term the agency uses to define "wild,
scattered marijuana plants [with] no evidence of planting, fertilizing, or
tending." Unlike cultivated marijuana, feral hemp contains virtually no
detectable levels of THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, and
does not contribute to the black market marijuana trade.
NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre criticized the
program for spending millions of taxpayers' dollars eradicating hemp.
"Hemp is grown legally throughout most the Western world as a commercial
crop for its fiber content, yet the US government is spending taxpayers'
money to target and eradicate this same agricultural commodity," he said,
noting that many of today's current hemp plots are remnants of
US-government subsidized crops that existed prior to World War II.
"Virtually all wild hemp goes unharvested and presents no legitimate
threat to public safety. As such, it should be of no concern to the
federal government or law enforcement."
According to DEA figures, Indiana led all 50 states in the volume of
ditchweed eradicated, destroying more than 219 million plants. Oklahoma
law enforcement eradicated some 10 million plants, and Missouri destroyed
an estimated 4.5 million. More than half of all states failed to report
their ditch weed totals.
California led all 50 states in the number of cultivated plants
eradicated in 2003, with the DEA citing nearly 1.2 million plants
destroyed.
Begun in 1979, the Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program
allocates federal funds to law enforcement agencies in all 50 states for
the purpose of uprooting marijuana. For 2003, DEA data indicates that
8,480 arrests were derived from law enforcement raiding over 34,000
outdoor plots, and over 2,600 indoor gardens.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, Executive
Director of the NORML Foundation, at [phone]. A past NORML report
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4444
Domestic Marijuana Number of marijuana
Plant Eradication (2003) plants eradicated
1.) California 1,181,957
2.) Tennessee 697,105
3.) Kentucky 527, 775
4.) Hawaii 392,422
5.) New York 99,423
-----------------------
46.) South Dakota 340
47.) Delaware 200
48.) Vermont 173
49.) Rhode Island 76
50.) Wyoming 33
Domestic Hemp Number of hemp
Plant Eradication (2003) plants eradicated
1.) Indiana 219,124,925
2.) Oklahoma 9,995,153
3.) Missouri 4,489,850
4.) North Dakota 3,200,000
5.) Minnesota 3,095,172
DEA Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program data is
http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook/1995/pdf/t438.pdf
_________________________________________
Alaska Court Narrows Marijuana Search Law
Police Must Now Suspect That More Than Four Ounces Of Marijuana Is
Involved
Anchorage, Alaska: Alaskan courts continue to observe that the right
of privacy for adults also includes possession up to 4 ounces of
marijuana. According to the Associated Press police cannot execute a
search warrant in a person's home for possession of less than 4 ounces of
marijuana, the Alaska Court of Appeals ruled last Friday.
The court ruled in the case of Leo Richardson Crocker, Jr., who was
charged with marijuana-related offenses after police, acting on a tip,
searched his home and found marijuana and growing equipment. The opinion
is the latest in a series of decisions that have carved out protections
for possessing marijuana in an Alaskan home.
The state Supreme Court in 1975 ruled that an adult's rights to
limited marijuana possession was protected under the state constitution's
privacy provisions. Last year, the Appeals Court defined that limit as 4
ounces. Further, the Appeals Court also struck down a 1990 voter
initiative that criminalized possession of any amount of marijuana.
www.state.ak.us/courts/ops/ap-1949.pdf
_________________________________________________
Feds Back Down In CO Medical Marijuana Legal Case
Return Marijuana Growing Equipment To Patient
Aurora, Colorado: Dana May, who suffers from chronic pain, won a major
legal victory last week when the federal government agreed to return all
of his marijuana-growing equipment.
The assistant U.S. attorney also informed NORML Legal Committee member
and Mr. May's criminal defense attorney, Robert J Corry, Jr., that the
feds will not prosecute May for any crime. However, the marijuana Mr. May
was caught with will not be returned.
Executive Director of the NORML Foundation Allen St. Pierre said that
Mr. May and his partner are genuine heroes for standing up to federal law
enforcement and "advocating for the common sense principle that if medical
marijuana is legal for approved patients in Colorado (and nine other
states), and if the government fails to provide for safe and legal access
to a physician-recommended medicine, then Mr. May is guilty at worse of
self-preservation."
May's doctor signed his legal forms in 2002 permitting him to grow and
use marijuana under Colorado law to help treat his chronic pain in his
legs and feet as a result of a 1995 accident. Mr. May called his victory
bittersweet and complained that anti-drug personnel should target hard
drug sellers rather then "going after little pot growers like me."
"I think this is a big step because the DEA giving my equipment back
they know what I'm going to do with it and it's like they're condoning
it," said Mr. May.
You can read more about federal cases against state-sanctioned medical
http://www.canorml.org/news/fedmmjcases.html.
For more information relating to Dana May's legal efforts against the
federal government, contact NLC member and Denver criminal defense
attorney Robert Corry Jr, at 303-634-2244.
####################
NORML Media Watch
NORML was featured prominently in several media outlets this week,
including The Olympian, The Lawrence Journal World, and The Abington
Mariner. To read these articles or about other NORML media appearances,
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481
Sign up for NORML's monthly pledge program today!
https://secure.norml.org/join/pledge.html
Smokers vote in 2004! Check out the candidate's updated positions on
marijuana policy. If you have not already done so, register to vote or
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5916
####################

[Boston Blackie]

Post by Mini HAWK
Well the DRUGGIES are back, trying to make money promoting dumbed down
idealism and dope.
Stay Stoned, pupae. The rest of us are getting ahead, and leaving you
behind.
You are Brain dead and stupid, smoke that shit, it has weed killer in it.
I see your using University of Tennessee facilities, I'll pass the
information on to some people that will bust you.

[you're]

Bust him/her for what, publishing? Get a life, pal.

[Amy dmith]

http://www.rootsweb.com/~mobarry/data/black1.htm

[DrPostman]

On Fri, 3 Sep 2004 15:25:01 -0500, "Amy dmith"

Post by Amy dmith
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mobarry/data/black1.htm

Wow, this must be the non sequitur of the week.





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[Remic]

MARIJUANA IS BAD NEWS

The weapons of choice for those who campaign to change established social
policy are, unfortunately, lies, distortion and misrepresentation of the
facts in order to create confusion and doubt in the public's mind, which
decreases resistance to the proposed changes.

The Dangers of Marijuana

Marijuana (the dried leaves), hashish and hashish oil (compressed resin of
the flower) all come from the cannabis plant (hemp) which is the most
complex of all illegal drugs. It has 425 known constituent parts and all
these parts alter the biological function of some organ in the human body.

One of the most active parts of this plant is referred to as THC or
Tetrahydrocannibinol and its effects depend on the strength of the marijuana
used. For example, back in the 1950s, THC potency usually ranged from œ to 1
or 2%. In the year 2000, however, it is usually between 4% to 8% with the
result that it can cause up to 10 times more intoxication than it did 20
years ago. Hybrid plants are now being cultivated with a potency of up to
30%.
Many people who believe marijuana is merely a harmless soft drug, base their
conclusion on their knowledge of the marijuana used in the past, not
realizing the huge increase in potency of marijuana today. The increased
potency clearly invalidates many earlier studies. Supporters of legalizing
marijuana, however, are not about to disclose this crucial difference.

How Marijuana Affects the Body

Marijuana lodges in those body organs which have significant fat content
such as the brain, the testes and ovaries, as well as in the general fat
stores. Because the body eliminates such fat soluble substances slowly, half
the THC from a single "joint" remains in fatty tissue and cell membranes for
approximately one week after it is smoked. The rest is slowly eliminated
over a period of some weeks. About a month is needed for the body to
completely eliminate the harmful substance. If another "joint" is smoked
within a week before the previous "joint" has been eliminated, the level of
THC in the body increases.

Marijuana produces both acute and chronic effects. The acute effects include
a subjective intoxication, usually referred to as "being on a high" or
"stoned." There is a feeling of euphoria, an intensification of ordinary
sensory experiences and poor visual perception. There is also an impairment
of the ability to perform complex and precise motor, visual or mental tasks,
such as operating equipment, playing sports, driving a car or engaging in a
rational discussion. The increased number of accidents that have been
reported in the last few years, on both the roads and the ski slopes, may
have been due to the increased use of cannabis.

Chronic and regular users of marijuana lack motivation, becoming more
listless and passive. They may lose interest in school or work and fail to
meet the everyday demands of ordinary living. They become irrational and
alienated from family and former friends and drift into a marginalized state
in society. There is also the possibility that sub-clinical changes may
occur in the lungs, liver, kidney, adrenal glands, bone marrow, ovaries,
testes and the most sensitive of all organs - the brain. Not infrequently,
serious mental illness such as psychoses, similar to schizophrenia, can
arise in regular users of cannabis.

The effects of marijuana use has been verified and documented by the United
Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) which represents the
international scientific community. It is incorrect to claim there is a lack
of "scientific proof" of the detrimental effects of marijuana.

[DrPostman]

Post by Remic
MARIJUANA IS BAD NEWS

So is Alcohol, but no one is stopping anyone from drinking.
Do you know how many diseases are caused by alcohol
addiction?






--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

There's no shortage of misinformation and unsubstantiated claims involving
the medical uses of marijuana. So, it's important to focus our attention on
the most reliable sources - medical professionals. Let's consider five of
the most frequent pro-marijuana claims and the response from the medical
community:

Claim I: Smoking marijuana is the only way to relieve symptoms for some
patients.

Some medical patients do experience relief of symptoms from the active
ingredient in marijuana - tetrahydrocannabinol - commonly referred to as
THC. The symptoms often relieved include nausea, vomiting and loss of
appetite.1 However, patients can receive a synthetically created version of
THC through prescription drugs such as Marinol, available since 1985.2 After
extensive testing, Marinol was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and must be distributed in a pure form. By contrast, marijuana varies
wildly in THC content, making it impossible to prescribe dosage and potency.
Smoking marijuana also creates a distinct spike of THC in blood levels.
Marinol, however, is a pill, which time-releases THC - a more effective and
medically accepted procedure.

Claim II: The medical benefits of marijuana outweigh any side effects.

If this were true, the FDA would most likely have approved marijuana for
medical purposes. Instead, the FDA has repeatedly refused to do so. In
fact, no FDA-approved drug is smoked, and in the case of marijuana, smoking
it increases chances of lung cancer, as does smoking tobacco. In fact,
according to one study, smoking marijuana burdens the respiratory system
four times more than an equivalent amount of tobacco smoking.3

Claim III: Marijuana is not a "gateway" drug, leading to the use of harder
drugs, like cocaine and heroine.

A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found
that children who use marijuana are 85 times more likely to use cocaine than
are children who do not use marijuana.4 Based on these findings, it seems
likely that the increased availability and use of marijuana nationwide (even
for medical purposes) will cause a corresponding increase in hard drug use.
General Barry R. McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, believes marijuana's influence as a "gateway" drug will only
increase, as young people perceive marijuana to be a safe substance.
According to McCaffrey, "Referenda that tell our children that marijuana is
a 'medicine' send them the wrong signal about the dangers of illegal drugs -
increasing the likelihood that more children will turn to drugs."5

Claim IV: Legalization will only give patients with a demonstrated need
access to marijuana.

Perhaps the most troubling loophole in medical-marijuana proposals, such as
California's Proposition 215 in 1996, is the fact that a patient can use
marijuana with merely an oral recommendation by a doctor.6
Similarly, an ordinance passed in 1998 by the Oakland City Council allows
those with only a doctor's oral recommendation to possess 1.5 pounds of
marijuana and to grow 144 plants at a time.7

Claim V: The legalization of "medicinal" marijuana is not a first step
toward legalizing marijuana for recreational drug use.

An examination of state ballot initiatives proposed after voters approved
marijuana for medical purposes challenges this claim. After legalizing
medical marijuana in Alaska, Arizona, Oregon and Washington state, marijuana
advocates openly moved toward their other goals for the November 2000
election. In Arizona and Washington, signatures were gathered to
decriminalize marijuana for the general public. In Oregon, the goal was to
regulate the sale of marijuana to adults through liquor stores. In Alaska,
the "2000 Hemp Initiative" asks voters to approve complete legalization of
marijuana for those 18 years of age or older. Only Alaska's proponents
successfully placed their initiative on the November 2000 ballot. The other
three efforts failed to qualify for the ballot.

Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is unnecessary, poses an
additional physical threat to patients, may lead to increased illegal drug
use and is a move toward legalization for use by all adults. Marijuana is
bad medicine.

[Remic]

The Right Angle on Marijuana

Marijuana isn't harmless. Smoking has a lot of specific -- and very bad --
effects. You know that, but maybe you have a friend who doesn't. What do you
say to them?

Try this list of facts below:


It's as Bad for Your Health -- or Worse, than Tobacco

You might be surprised to learn that marijuana contains the same
cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco, and at higher concentrations. Smoking
five joints a week is the equivalent of smoking an entire pack of cigarettes
every day which, even in the short term, leads to lung and respiratory
problems-wheezing, frequent chest colds and -- yick! -- a nasty phlegmmy
cough. Long-term use increases the chances of tissue damage and lung cancer,
and also causes changes in the brain similar to those caused by long-term
use of cocaine and heroin.
Back to Top


Your Future Can Go Up in Smoke

Several studies have linked marijuana use with poor school performance. It's
harder to concentrate and retain information when you've been using pot, and
every day of school is important to teens in their peak learning years. It
should be no surprise that the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found
teens with a "D" average or below more than four times as likely to have
used marijuana in the last year than those with an "A" average. You're more
likely to drop out -- or get kicked out -- of school, or out of sports or
other activities if you smoke marijuana.

It's Unsafe

The likelihood of a car crash is increased by some of the immediate effects
of smoking pot-longer reaction time, poor physical coordination, and
impaired concentration. Marijuana also makes you more likely to do something
stupid you might regret. Pot-smoking has been linked with risky sexual
behaviors that increase the likelihood of sexually transmitted diseases and
unwanted pregnancies.


It Can Make You Look Like a Gritball

We're all anxious enough about how we look without having to worry about the
stained fingertips and teeth, stinking breath, and bloodshot eyes that come
with smoking pot. People who smoke dope can look a little -- well, skeazy.
They might lose interest in their appearance. They can also get the munchies
when they're high -- and it's not exactly health food they binge on. They
don't call that tire-shaped ring of flab around the middle of a pothead the
"stoner's spare" for nothing.
Back to Top


You Might Lose the Good Friends You Have -- and Make Some Bad Ones

Marijuana use by teens -- like the use of many other drugs -- can make it
harder to keep good relationships with your friends and family. Marijuana
users can become loners or hang out with people who may not be a good
influence, which means that if you already have good friends and a
supportive family, you can grow apart from them or lose their trust.


It Can Make You Feel Worse, Not Better

Smoking dope can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and paranoia --
and those problems don't improve over time. And don't you know someone who
can't do anything without getting high? That's because they're addicted.
Sixty percent of teenagers in drug treatment programs are there because of
marijuana.


It'll Get You Into Trouble

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, kids who
frequently use marijuana are almost four times as likely to commit a violent
act -- against either people or property -- than those who don't. They're
five times as likely to steal. So smoking marijuana can get you in trouble
with the law and result in later problems like not being able to get a
scholarship or a job.


It Channels Money to Some Very Bad People

The people who profit from the $400 billion global drug business -- and yes,
marijuana is a big part of this business -- are creep factor nine. They're
criminals. If you're smoking pot, you could be the end-user of a product
that may have been sold to help fund these people.


Drugged Driving

Okay, you now have the facts. Marijuana is riskier than you think. For more
information, visit www.Freevibe.com.

[DrPostman]

Post by Mini HAWK
Well the DRUGGIES are back, trying to make money promoting dumbed down
idealism and dope.
Stay Stoned, pupae. The rest of us are getting ahead, and leaving you
behind.
You are Brain dead and stupid, smoke that shit, it has weed killer in it.
I see your using University of Tennessee facilities, I'll pass the
information on to some people that will bust you.

What's with the need to netkkop? What brings out such a
display of fear from you?






--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[mini Hawk]

Post by DrPostman

Post by Mini HAWK
Well the DRUGGIES are back, trying to make money promoting dumbed down
idealism and dope.
Stay Stoned, pupae. The rest of us are getting ahead, and leaving you
behind.
You are Brain dead and stupid, smoke that shit, it has weed killer in it.
I see your using University of Tennessee facilities, I'll pass the
information on to some people that will bust you.

What's with the need to netkkop? What brings out such a
display of fear from you?

Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

[GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln]

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

[mini Hawk]

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

Is that what you do? Blame your parents for how you turned out?
Go Smoke some more and ponder, moron.

[DrPostman]

Post by mini Hawk

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

Is that what you do? Blame your parents for how you turned out?
Go Smoke some more and ponder, moron.

So how do you think he turned out that way? Plenty of studies show
environment has more to do with addiction than genetics.

And yes, I am speaking from experience.


Get to an Al-Anon meeting soon.





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[Remic]

Cannabis link to mental illness strengthened

23:01 21 November 04
New Scientist.com news service

The link between regular cannabis use and later depression and schizophrenia
has been significantly strengthened by three new studies.

The studies provide "little support" for an alternative explanation - that
people with mental illnesses self-medicate with marijuana - according to
Joseph Rey and Christopher Tennant of the University of Sydney, who have
written an editorial on the papers in the British Medical Journal.

One of the key conclusions of the research is that people who start smoking
cannabis as adolescents are at the greatest risk of later developing mental
health problems. Another team calculates that eliminating cannabis use in
the UK population could reduce cases of schizophrenia by 13 per cent.

Until now, say Rey and Tennant, there was "a dearth of reliable evidence" to
support the idea that cannabis use could cause schizophrenia or depression.
That lack of good evidence "has handicapped the development of rational
public health policies," according to one of the research groups, led by
George Patton at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne,
Australia.

The works also highlights potential risks associated with using cannabis as
a medicine to ease the symptoms of muscular sclerosis, for example.

Pharmacological effect

Patton's team followed over 1600 Australian school pupils aged 14 to 15 for
seven years. Daily cannabis use was associated with a five-fold increased
risk of depression at the age of 20. Weekly use was linked to a two-fold
increase. The regular users were no more likely to have suffered from
depression or anxiety at the start of the study.

The reason for the link is unclear. Social consequences of frequent cannabis
use include educational failure and unemployment, which could increase the
risk of depression. "However, because the risk seems confined largely to
daily users, the question about a direct pharmacological effect remains,"
says Patton.

In separate research, a team led by Stanley Zammit at the University of
Cardiff, UK, evaluated data on over 50,000 men who had been Swedish military
conscripts in 1969 and1970. This group represents 97 per cent of men aged 18
to 20 in the population at that time.

The new analysis revealed a dose-dependant relationship between the
frequency of cannabis use and schizophrenia. This held true in men with no
psychotic symptoms before they started using cannabis, suggesting they were
not self-medicating.

Genetic factors

Finally, researchers led by Terrie Moffitt at King's College London, UK,
analysed comprehensive data on over 1000 people born in Dunedin, New Zealand
in 1972 and 1973.

They found that people who used cannabis by age 15 were four times as likely
to have a diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder (a milder version of
schizophrenia) at age 26 than non-users.

But when the number of psychotic symptoms at age 11 was controlled for, this
increased risk dropped to become non-significant. This suggests that people
already at greater risk of later developing mental health problems are also
more likely to smoke cannabis.

The total number of high quality studies on cannabis use and mental health
disorders remains small, stress Rey and Tennant. And it is still not clear
whether cannabis can cause these conditions in people not predisposed by
genetic factors, for example, to develop them.

"The overall weight of evidence is that occasional use of cannabis has few
harmful effects overall," Zammit's team writes. "Nevertheless, our results
indicate a potentially serious risk to the mental health of people who use
cannabis. Such risks need to be considered in the current move to liberalise
and possibly legalise the use of cannabis in the UK and other countries."

Journal references: British Medical Journal (vol 325, p1195, p1199, p1212,
p1183)

Related Stories

Cannabis smoking 'more harmful' than tobacco
11 November 2002

Marijuana does dent IQ permanently
8 April 2002

[DrPostman]

Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body


Except for limited medical purposes, cultivating marijuana is illegal in all
but a few countries. By the 1960's and '70's its use was widespread among
students, becoming, after alcohol, the second most popular drug. Although
marijuana has not been proven to be physically addicting, and no physical
withdrawl symptoms occur when its use is discontinued, severe psychological
dependence does develop. Mood changes are often accompanied by altered
perceptions of time and space. The thinking process becomes disrupted by
fragmented ideas and memories. Negative effects can include confusion, acute
panic reactions, anxiety attacks, fear, a sense of helplessness and loss of
self-control.

Chronic marijuana users are said to develop an "amotivational syndrome"
characterized by passivity, decreased motivation and preoccupation with drug
taking. The relationship of this syndrome to marijuana use, however, has no
been established.

Like alcohol intoxication, marijuana intoxication impairs reading
comprehension, memory, speech, problem-solving ability and reaction time.
The effects of long-term use are bipolar disorder, lung cancer, withdrawal
from society, and probable psychosis.

[DrPostman]

On Fri, 3 Sep 2004 22:12:19 -0500, "DrPostman"

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Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body

Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.

Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

Are there any other adverse reactions to marijuana?

A common bad reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction."
People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of "losing control," which
causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours.
What about psychological dependence on marijuana?

Long-term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent.
They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug
to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and
personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of
their lives.
What are the dangers for young people?

One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as
they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the
more likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs. In addition,
when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest
and are not motivated to do their schoolwork. The effects of marijuana can
interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and
verbal and mathematical skills. Research shows that students do not remember
what they have learned when they are "high".

How does marijuana affect driving ability?

Driving experiments show that marijuana affects a wide range of skills
needed for safe driving -- thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard
for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events. Also, a driver's
ability to "track" (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly, and to
maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected. Research
shows that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a
single marijuana cigarette, long after the "high" is gone. If a person
drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly
increases. Marijuana presents a definite danger on the road.
Does marijuana affect the human reproductive system?

Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may
result in premature babies and in low birth weights. Studies of men and
women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that
marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid
physical and sexual development.
How does marijuana affect the heart?

Marijuana use increases the heart rate as much as 50 percent, depending on
the amount of THC. It can cause chest pain in people who have a poor blood
supply to the heart - and it produces these effects more rapidly than
tobacco smoke does.

How does marijuana affect the lungs?

Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs
because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their
lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung
tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the
way they work. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in
tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many
marijuana users also smoke cigarettes; the combined effects of smoking these
two substances creates an increased health risk.

Can marijuana cause cancer?

Marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer-causing agents than is
found in tobacco smoke. Examination of human lung tissue that had been
exposed to marijuana smoke over a long period of time in a laboratory showed
cellular changes called metaplasia that are considered precancerous. In
laboratory test, the tars from marijuana smoke have produced tumors when
applied to animal skin. These studies suggest that it is likely that
marijuana may cause cancer if used for a number of years.
How are people usually introduced to marijuana?

Many young people are introduced to marijuana by their peers - usually
acquaintances, friends, sisters, and brothers. People often try drugs such
as marijuana because they feel pressured by peers to be part of the group.
Children must be taught how to say no to peer pressure to try drugs. Parents
can get involved by becoming informed about marijuana and by talking to
their children about drug use.
What is marijuana "burnout"?

"Burnout" is a term first used by marijuana smokers themselves to describe
the effect of prolonged use. Young people who smoke marijuana heavily over
long periods of time can become dull, slow moving, and inattentive. These
"burned-out" users are sometimes so unaware of their surroundings that they
do not respond when friends speak to them, and they do not realize they have
a problem.

How long do chemicals from marijuana stay in the body after the drug is
smoked?

When marijuana is smoked, THC, its active ingredient, is absorbed by most
tissues and organs in the body; however, it is primarily found in fat
tissues. The body, in its attempt to rid itself of the foreign chemical,
chemically transforms the THC into metabolites. Urine tests can detect THC
metabolites for up to a week after people have smoked marijuana. Tests
involving radioactively labeled THC have traced these metabolites in animals
for up to a month.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1984.

Dr.Postman MS, DA, BS, AA; "DRUGS are GOOD"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SEPTIC-STONED-CULT® member
#135-515036-2353. AFA-B Official Pupea.
You can email me at: ***@mantra.com

"Prooves I'm a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 09:14:12 -0500, "DrPostman"

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Newsgroups: tn.general,tx.general,ca.general,ny.general,memphis.general,nashville.general,houston.general,austin.general
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 09:14:12 -0500
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Are there any other adverse reactions to marijuana?

Let me guess: It makes Germans think that they
should imitate others?





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

From: DrPostman <***@my.foreskin>
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Reply-To: ***@myforskin
Message-ID: <***@4ax.com> <======MESSAGE ID
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Post by DrPostman
Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body
Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.
Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of baba-blacksheep, SEPTIC TANK-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFaggotA-B Official Poolster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

YOUR POSTING GRADING SCORES:
Word use..............................1 - minimal common usage only
Intelligence............................ 1- low to low-average
Post usefulness......................0 - none, in the stupid reply category
Ability to reason.................... 0- negative, confrontational
Recommendations to writer... 0- Get off the computer, sit on couch and shoot
some dope
Troll Probability.................... 1- very high to extremely high by
invokeing internet scum DrJaiMaharaj
Credentials............................0- bogus bullshit I would not put on
my dog
Future potential..................... 0- none, stoner too long, missing
large areas of competency
Total of only 3 out of 80 - your post is in the *plonk* catagory, as
totally worhtless

[DrPostman]

From: DrPostman <***@my.foreskin>
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Reply-To: ***@myforskin
Message-ID: <***@4ax.com> <======MESSAGE ID
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Organization: Road Runner High Speed Online http://www.rr.com

Post by DrPostman
Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body
Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.
Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of baba-blacksheep, SEPTIC TANK-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFaggotA-B Official Poolster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

YOUR POSTING GRADING SCORES:
Word use..............................1 - minimal common usage only
Intelligence............................ 1- low to low-average
Post usefulness......................0 - none, in the stupid reply category
Ability to reason.................... 0- negative, confrontational
Recommendations to writer... 0- Get off the computer, sit on couch and shoot
some dope
Troll Probability.................... 1- very high to extremely high by
invokeing internet scum DrJaiMaharaj
Credentials............................0- bogus bullshit I would not put on
my dog
Future potential..................... 0- none, stoner too long, missing
large areas of competency
Total of only 3 out of 80 - your post is in the *plonk* catagory, as
totally worhtless

[Boston Blackie]

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

that's a cheap shot. addiction issues go well beyond both drugs and
parenting.

[DrPostman]

Post by Boston Blackie

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

that's a cheap shot. addiction issues go well beyond both drugs and
parenting.

Drug user Cannot handle responcability for his own self inflicted problem.
Would you admit that you have a habit that lowers you IQ by 30 points, and
this is what is driving your life? Very Tough to look at, so blame the
parents instead of yourself. Typicial Addiction supporting tactic.

There's no shortage of misinformation and unsubstantiated claims involving
the medical uses of marijuana. So, it's important to focus our attention on
the most reliable sources - medical professionals. Let's consider five of
the most frequent pro-marijuana claims and the response from the medical
community:

Claim I: Smoking marijuana is the only way to relieve symptoms for some
patients.

Some medical patients do experience relief of symptoms from the active
ingredient in marijuana - tetrahydrocannabinol - commonly referred to as
THC. The symptoms often relieved include nausea, vomiting and loss of
appetite.1 However, patients can receive a synthetically created version of
THC through prescription drugs such as Marinol, available since 1985.2 After
extensive testing, Marinol was approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and must be distributed in a pure form. By contrast, marijuana varies
wildly in THC content, making it impossible to prescribe dosage and potency.
Smoking marijuana also creates a distinct spike of THC in blood levels.
Marinol, however, is a pill, which time-releases THC - a more effective and
medically accepted procedure.

Claim II: The medical benefits of marijuana outweigh any side effects.

If this were true, the FDA would most likely have approved marijuana for
medical purposes. Instead, the FDA has repeatedly refused to do so. In
fact, no FDA-approved drug is smoked, and in the case of marijuana, smoking
it increases chances of lung cancer, as does smoking tobacco. In fact,
according to one study, smoking marijuana burdens the respiratory system
four times more than an equivalent amount of tobacco smoking.3

Claim III: Marijuana is not a "gateway" drug, leading to the use of harder
drugs, like cocaine and heroine.

A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found
that children who use marijuana are 85 times more likely to use cocaine than
are children who do not use marijuana.4 Based on these findings, it seems
likely that the increased availability and use of marijuana nationwide (even
for medical purposes) will cause a corresponding increase in hard drug use.
General Barry R. McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, believes marijuana's influence as a "gateway" drug will only
increase, as young people perceive marijuana to be a safe substance.
According to McCaffrey, "Referenda that tell our children that marijuana is
a 'medicine' send them the wrong signal about the dangers of illegal drugs -
increasing the likelihood that more children will turn to drugs."5

Claim IV: Legalization will only give patients with a demonstrated need
access to marijuana.

Claim V: The legalization of "medicinal" marijuana is not a first step
toward legalizing marijuana for recreational drug use.

Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is unnecessary, poses an
additional physical threat to patients, may lead to increased illegal drug
use and is a move toward legalization for use by all adults. Marijuana is
bad medicine.

[DrPostman]

On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 09:24:44 -0500, "DrPostman"

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Newsgroups: tn.general,tx.general,ca.general,ny.general,memphis.general,nashville.general,houston.general,austin.general
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
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Drug user Cannot handle responcability for his own self inflicted problem.

Neither can kooks who try to imitate others.

For a German you really are a stupid bastard.





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

From: DrPostman <***@my.foreskin>
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Reply-To: ***@myforskin
Message-ID: <***@4ax.com> <======MESSAGE ID
!!!!
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Post by DrPostman
Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body
Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.
Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of baba-blacksheep, SEPTIC TANK-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFaggotA-B Official Poolster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

YOUR POSTING GRADING SCORES:
Word use..............................1 - minimal common usage only
Intelligence............................ 1- low to low-average
Post usefulness......................0 - none, in the stupid reply category
Ability to reason.................... 0- negative, confrontational
Recommendations to writer... 0- Get off the computer, sit on couch and shoot
some dope
Troll Probability.................... 1- very high to extremely high by
invokeing internet scum DrJaiMaharaj
Credentials............................0- bogus bullshit I would not put on
my dog
Future potential..................... 0- none, stoner too long, missing
large areas of competency
Total of only 3 out of 80 - your post is in the *plonk* catagory, as
totally worhtless

--
Dr.Braindead Postman UnitedSuckersPaulsSanity, MyBrainMushCause, Bullshit
Degree "Moron, Disgruntled, But Whithout a clue"
Mumbler, Boards of Director of ffd, Fags For Dope., SEPTIC-CUNTS® member
#315-515506-2a53. AA meeting for me! Official Twit.
You can email me at: I Love DrJaiMaharaj and smoke shit with him.

"Prooooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrrt displays his brilliance (Meaningless Shit)

[GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln]

Post by Boston Blackie
that's a cheap shot. addiction issues go well beyond both drugs and
parenting.

Of course. However, with the pathology displayed
by this person's posting habits, not only do I stand
by my statement, I'm sure it's the only method
likely to have any effect whatsoever.

Maybe if they were to confront their own guilt,
and were to seek grief councelling, the healing
process could begin -- and then, instead of tilting
at windmills on Usenet, they might go on to lead
a happier, more productive life.

[DrPostman]

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by Boston Blackie
that's a cheap shot. addiction issues go well beyond both drugs and
parenting.

Of course. However, with the pathology displayed
by this person's posting habits, not only do I stand
by my statement, I'm sure it's the only method
likely to have any effect whatsoever.
Maybe if they were to confront their own guilt,
and were to seek grief councelling, the healing
process could begin -- and then, instead of tilting
at windmills on Usenet, they might go on to lead
a happier, more productive life.
--
This message approved by
Drunken Stateside Sons of Privilege for Plausible Deniability
http://www.livejournal.com/users/orenzero/

LIVE JOURNAL MORON that brackets your age, and means you have no life, no
girfriend/boyfriend


http://www.rootsweb.com/~mobarry/data/black1.htm

THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE

LIE NUMBER 1

Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used. Cannabis smoke contains
twice as much carcinogenic substance as tobacco. The risk of it causing
cancer is greatly increased.

Marijuana use leads to an addiction. Mild withdrawal symptoms are due to the
slow elimination of the drug from the body. Breaking of the habit is a
tedious process in which, over many months, the former chronic user is faced
with negative psychological effects.

Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

Clearly, marijuana is a more pervasively dangerous substance than tobacco
because of its intoxicating effects, plus the long term harmful effects on
several organs of the body which are not affected by the use of tobacco.

LIE NUMBER 2

Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug

In 1979, Keith Stroup, then director of the National Organization for Reform
of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which also has an active branch in Canada, stated
his organization was attempting to get marijuana medically reclassified in
order "to use the issue as a red herring to give marijuana a good name."
This "red herring" strategy of NORML has been most effective in causing
confusion and controversy among the general public.

The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

In its report, it stated that NORML and ACT (Alliance for Cannabis
Therapeutics),
. have attempted to perpetuate a dangerous and cruel hoax on the American
public by claiming that cannabis has currently accepted medical use.

In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
previous findings. It stated:
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.

Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

LIE NUMBER 3

Police and Court Time Should Be Spent on More Important Matters

Never before in the history of civilization have young people been so
exposed to and affected by mind-altering drugs. The cumulative effect of
their use has widespread implications for our future.

Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,
particularly when prominent public figures and drug advisers promote
decriminalization. Some have even recommended legalized possession and the
right to grow cannabis for personal use. This is neither rational nor
sensible and such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

One of the major arguments is that the greatest harm is produced by the
criminalization of the use of illicit drugs. But mind-altering drugs are not
harmful because they are illegal; they are illegal because they are harmful
to use and cause serious social problems when they are used widely in the
community.

It is a great disservice to young people and to society to facilitate the
use of marijuana by decriminalizing it. The law plays an important role in
reinforcing preventive strategies which protect society. Criminalizing
marijuana use is extremely important. It underscores the truth - namely,
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

LIE NUMBER 4

Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use

There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use. Far more importantly, it has been
established that young people who do not use marijuana rarely become regular
users of any other illegal drug.

Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well. This in turn will
influence the profile of the drug trade. In other words, because marijuana
is often the link between legal and illegal drugs, it is therefore the
lynchpin of the drug culture.

[DrPostman]

http://www.rootsweb.com/~mobarry/data/black1.htm

Post by Boston Blackie

Post by GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln

Post by mini Hawk
Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

You must have been one great parent.

that's a cheap shot. addiction issues go well beyond both drugs and
parenting.

[DrPostman]

Post by mini Hawk

Post by DrPostman

Post by Mini HAWK
Well the DRUGGIES are back, trying to make money promoting dumbed down
idealism and dope.
Stay Stoned, pupae. The rest of us are getting ahead, and leaving you
behind.
You are Brain dead and stupid, smoke that shit, it has weed killer in it.
I see your using University of Tennessee facilities, I'll pass the
information on to some people that will bust you.

What's with the need to netkkop? What brings out such a
display of fear from you?

Not fear, Anger.
Drug Addicted Son who is now dead.
I watched him slowly fade and then die via the path you advocate.

Runs in the family, ya know. You don't know what I advocate, but
you are willing to assume so much. That's rather stupid, don't ya
think?





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[Remic]

THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE

LIE NUMBER 1

Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used. Cannabis smoke contains
twice as much carcinogenic substance as tobacco. The risk of it causing
cancer is greatly increased.

Marijuana use leads to an addiction. Mild withdrawal symptoms are due to the
slow elimination of the drug from the body. Breaking of the habit is a
tedious process in which, over many months, the former chronic user is faced
with negative psychological effects.

Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

Clearly, marijuana is a more pervasively dangerous substance than tobacco
because of its intoxicating effects, plus the long term harmful effects on
several organs of the body which are not affected by the use of tobacco.

LIE NUMBER 2

Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug

In 1979, Keith Stroup, then director of the National Organization for Reform
of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which also has an active branch in Canada, stated
his organization was attempting to get marijuana medically reclassified in
order "to use the issue as a red herring to give marijuana a good name."
This "red herring" strategy of NORML has been most effective in causing
confusion and controversy among the general public.

The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

In its report, it stated that NORML and ACT (Alliance for Cannabis
Therapeutics),
. have attempted to perpetuate a dangerous and cruel hoax on the American
public by claiming that cannabis has currently accepted medical use.

In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
previous findings. It stated:
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.

Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

LIE NUMBER 3

Police and Court Time Should Be Spent on More Important Matters

Never before in the history of civilization have young people been so
exposed to and affected by mind-altering drugs. The cumulative effect of
their use has widespread implications for our future.

Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,
particularly when prominent public figures and drug advisers promote
decriminalization. Some have even recommended legalized possession and the
right to grow cannabis for personal use. This is neither rational nor
sensible and such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

One of the major arguments is that the greatest harm is produced by the
criminalization of the use of illicit drugs. But mind-altering drugs are not
harmful because they are illegal; they are illegal because they are harmful
to use and cause serious social problems when they are used widely in the
community.

It is a great disservice to young people and to society to facilitate the
use of marijuana by decriminalizing it. The law plays an important role in
reinforcing preventive strategies which protect society. Criminalizing
marijuana use is extremely important. It underscores the truth - namely,
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

LIE NUMBER 4

Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use

There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use. Far more importantly, it has been
established that young people who do not use marijuana rarely become regular
users of any other illegal drug.

Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well. This in turn will
influence the profile of the drug trade. In other words, because marijuana
is often the link between legal and illegal drugs, it is therefore the
lynchpin of the drug culture.

[DrPostman]

Q: What are the long-term effects of marijuana use?

A: Findings so far show that regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role
in many kinds of cancer and in problems with the respiratory and immune
systems.

Cancer
Studies have shown that regular marijuana use does causes lung cancer. It
is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more,
of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Studies show that
someone who smokes five joints per day may be taking in as many
cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes two full pack of cigarettes
every day.

Lungs and airways
Lungs and airways-People who smoke marijuana develop the same kinds of
breathing problems that cigarette smokers have: coughing and wheezing. They
tend to have more chest colds than nonusers. They are also at greater risk
of getting lung infections like pneumonia.

Immune system
Animal studies have found that THC damages the cells and tissues in the body
that help protect against disease. When the immune cells are weakened you
are more likely to get sick.


Q: Does marijuana lead to the use of other drugs?

A: Yes. Long-term studies of high school students and their patterns of drug
use show that very few young people use other illegal drugs without first
trying marijuana (7). For example, the risk of using cocaine is much greater
for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.
Using marijuana puts children and teens in contact with people who are users
and sellers of other drugs. So there is more of a risk that a marijuana user
will be exposed to and urged to try more drugs.

To better determine this risk, scientists are examining the possibility that
long-term marijuana use may create changes in the brain that make a person
more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs, such as alcohol or
cocaine. Further research is needed to predict who will be at greatest risk.

[DrPostman]

Post by Remic
THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE
LIE NUMBER 1
Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

Oh, lets see. 400,000 deaths a year from tobacco, and hundreds
of thousands of deaths per year from alcohol related diseases
and drunk driving.

How many people have died from consuming pot?

I've never known anyone to smoke a joint and get the urge
to take a gun to a spouse or loved one. Alcohol, on the
other hand.....






--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[T R A C E Y..--.]

Dear Potheads,

What excuses will you use this time when President Bush stomps the dog
crap out of the leftwing? How will you cope? Will you put your dope
in a suitcase and leave for another country (fingers crossed), or will
you start your incesant complaining about the election being stolen again?

As of today, President Bush is in a double digit lead ahead of Kerry.
For some reason, the left cannot tell the truth, so Swift Boat Vets had
a great deal of influence.

Why cant the left get it together? Why cant they compete? They tried
to compete with Rush Limbaugh and failed. Now, their Great White Hope
is about to return to making catsup and windsurfing.

What a strange bunch you potheads and leftover hippies have become.

Just remember this: We are not going to allow you to turn the USA into
another socialist dump like those of europe. If you don't like it, too bad.


Tracey

Post by DrPostman

Post by Remic
THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE
LIE NUMBER 1
Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

Oh, lets see. 400,000 deaths a year from tobacco, and hundreds
of thousands of deaths per year from alcohol related diseases
and drunk driving.
How many people have died from consuming pot?
I've never known anyone to smoke a joint and get the urge
to take a gun to a spouse or loved one. Alcohol, on the
other hand.....
--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE

LIE NUMBER 1

Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used. Cannabis smoke contains
twice as much carcinogenic substance as tobacco. The risk of it causing
cancer is greatly increased.

Marijuana use leads to an addiction. Mild withdrawal symptoms are due to the
slow elimination of the drug from the body. Breaking of the habit is a
tedious process in which, over many months, the former chronic user is faced
with negative psychological effects.

Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

Clearly, marijuana is a more pervasively dangerous substance than tobacco
because of its intoxicating effects, plus the long term harmful effects on
several organs of the body which are not affected by the use of tobacco.

LIE NUMBER 2

Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug

In 1979, Keith Stroup, then director of the National Organization for Reform
of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which also has an active branch in Canada, stated
his organization was attempting to get marijuana medically reclassified in
order "to use the issue as a red herring to give marijuana a good name."
This "red herring" strategy of NORML has been most effective in causing
confusion and controversy among the general public.

The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

In its report, it stated that NORML and ACT (Alliance for Cannabis
Therapeutics),
. have attempted to perpetuate a dangerous and cruel hoax on the American
public by claiming that cannabis has currently accepted medical use.

In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
previous findings. It stated:
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.

Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

LIE NUMBER 3

Police and Court Time Should Be Spent on More Important Matters

Never before in the history of civilization have young people been so
exposed to and affected by mind-altering drugs. The cumulative effect of
their use has widespread implications for our future.

Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,
particularly when prominent public figures and drug advisers promote
decriminalization. Some have even recommended legalized possession and the
right to grow cannabis for personal use. This is neither rational nor
sensible and such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

One of the major arguments is that the greatest harm is produced by the
criminalization of the use of illicit drugs. But mind-altering drugs are not
harmful because they are illegal; they are illegal because they are harmful
to use and cause serious social problems when they are used widely in the
community.

It is a great disservice to young people and to society to facilitate the
use of marijuana by decriminalizing it. The law plays an important role in
reinforcing preventive strategies which protect society. Criminalizing
marijuana use is extremely important. It underscores the truth - namely,
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

LIE NUMBER 4

Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use

There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use. Far more importantly, it has been
established that young people who do not use marijuana rarely become regular
users of any other illegal drug.

Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well. This in turn will
influence the profile of the drug trade. In other words, because marijuana
is often the link between legal and illegal drugs, it is therefore the
lynchpin of the drug culture.

Dr.Postman Stoned Dipshit pushing Drugs on the Children; "Stupid,

Disgruntled, But stoned"

Member, of STAY IMPAIRED, Board of Directors of ARF ARF, SCUMSUCKERS-CULT®

member

You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)National Institute on Drug

Abuse, 1984

[DrPostman]

On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 09:20:17 -0500, "DrPostman"

Path: be1.columbus.rr.com!news-server.columbus.rr.com!cyclone.rdc-nyc.rr.com!news.maxwell.syr.edu!feed.news.tiscali.de!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!not-for-mail
Newsgroups: tn.general,tx.general,ca.general,ny.general,memphis.general,nashville.general,houston.general,austin.general
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 09:20:17 -0500
Lines: 111
X-Trace: news.uni-berlin.de Wg5UT0pPcoh0MJ31OT2cDA+m4YPaVmypBOnJSGde15yBEAdgjZ
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THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE

You aren't winning anything. Just making yourself look more ignorant.





--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[DrPostman]

From: DrPostman <***@my.foreskin>
Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
Reply-To: ***@myforskin
Message-ID: <***@4ax.com> <======MESSAGE ID
!!!!
X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 1.93/32.576 English (American) <========= LAME
NEWSREADER !!!
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 08:04:24 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Host: 66.61.72.130 <========================== IP ADDRESS
!!!!
X-Complaints-To: ***@rr.com <========================== COLUMBUS
ROAD RUNNER !!!
X-Trace: fe1.columbus.rr.com 1094285064 66.61.72.130 (Sat, 04 Sep 2004
04:04:24 EDT) <==GOOD XTRACE !!!!
NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 04:04:24 EDT
Organization: Road Runner High Speed Online http://www.rr.com

Post by DrPostman
Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body
Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.
Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of baba-blacksheep, SEPTIC TANK-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFaggotA-B Official Poolster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

YOUR POSTING GRADING SCORES:
Word use..............................1 - minimal common usage only
Intelligence............................ 1- low to low-average
Post usefulness......................0 - none, in the stupid reply category
Ability to reason.................... 0- negative, confrontational
Recommendations to writer... 0- Get off the computer, sit on couch and shoot
some dope
Troll Probability.................... 1- very high to extremely high by
invokeing internet scum DrJaiMaharaj
Credentials............................0- bogus bullshit I would not put on
my dog
Future potential..................... 0- none, stoner too long, missing
large areas of competency
Total of only 3 out of 80 - your post is in the *plonk* catagory, as
totally worhtless

[DrPostman]

On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 14:20:07 -0500, "DrPostman"

Subject: Re: [NORML News of the Week 9/2/04]
!!!!
X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 1.93/32.576 English (American) <========= LAME
NEWSREADER !!!
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 08:04:24 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Host: 66.61.72.130 <========================== IP ADDRESS
!!!!
ROAD RUNNER !!!
X-Trace: fe1.columbus.rr.com 1094285064 66.61.72.130 (Sat, 04 Sep 2004
04:04:24 EDT) <==GOOD XTRACE !!!!
NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 04:04:24 EDT
Organization: Road Runner High Speed Online http://www.rr.com

Post by DrPostman
Effects of Marijuana - How Marijuana Ruins your Body
Apparently just thinking about it makes you want to change
who you think you are.
Why does a dumb kraut like you care about US laws?
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of baba-blacksheep, SEPTIC TANK-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFaggotA-B Official Poolster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com
"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

Word use..............................1 - minimal common usage only
Intelligence............................ 1- low to low-average
Post usefulness......................0 - none, in the stupid reply category
Ability to reason.................... 0- negative, confrontational
Recommendations to writer... 0- Get off the computer, sit on couch and shoot
some dope
Troll Probability.................... 1- very high to extremely high by
invokeing internet scum DrJaiMaharaj
Credentials............................0- bogus bullshit I would not put on
my dog
Future potential..................... 0- none, stoner too long, missing
large areas of competency
Total of only 3 out of 80 - your post is in the *plonk* catagory, as
totally worhtless

Do you know what a B.I. is? Your posts are going to be canceled for
exceeding it.

But then you are too stupid to know that.






--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[Dr Postass]

Post by DrPostman
Do you know what a B.I. is? Your posts are going to be canceled for
exceeding it.
But then you are too stupid to know that.

Here is your BI, but google it yourself. Of course your into it, since you
do drugs all the time, you are too stoned to give a shit.

http://www.bi.org.au/

http://bi.org/

http://bitheway.org/

http://www.biallmeans.org/

http://www.enotalone.com/Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Transgender-77.html

http://www.bisexual.org/

http://www.temenos.net/bi/

[DrPostman]

On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 18:49:37 -0500, "Dr Postass"

Post by Dr Postass

Post by DrPostman
Do you know what a B.I. is? Your posts are going to be canceled for
exceeding it.
But then you are too stupid to know that.

Here is your BI, but google it yourself. Of course your into it, since you
do drugs all the time, you are too stoned to give a shit.

You proved my point again. You don't know what a B.I. is.

For a German you are very stupid.









--
Dr.Postman USPS, MBMC, BsD; "Disgruntled, But Unarmed"
Member,Board of Directors of afa-b, SKEP-TI-CULT® member
#15-51506-253. AFA-B Official Pollster.
You can email me at: DrJaiMaharajFraud(at)hotmail.com

"Prooves your a idiot!"
- Ferrt displays his brilliance

[Name]

Post by DrPostman
On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 18:49:37 -0500, "Dr Postass"

Post by Dr Postass

Post by DrPostman
Do you know what a B.I. is? Your posts are going to be canceled for
exceeding it.
But then you are too stupid to know that.

Here is your BI, but google it yourself. Of course your into it, since you
do drugs all the time, you are too stoned to give a shit.

You proved my point again. You don't know what a B.I. is.
For a German you are very stupid.

I am not limited by BI. That is your servers problem.

AND for an "American" you are money $$$ grabbing moron, pushing a drug known
to have all these serious life changing. problems on the Usenet. You Must
be a drug Dealer or an Addict trying to get connections or maintain them.
Spreading FALSE information on the GATEWAY DRUG to heroin, crystal meth,
crack, shooting up, to little Kids on the internet.

Are there any other adverse reactions to marijuana?
A common bad reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction."
People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of "losing control," which
causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours.
What about psychological dependence on marijuana?
Long-term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent.
They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug
to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and
personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of
their lives.

What are the dangers for young people?
One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as
they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the
more likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs. In addition,
when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest
and are not motivated to do their schoolwork. The effects of marijuana can
interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and
verbal and mathematical skills. Research shows that students do not remember
what they have learned when they are "high".

How does marijuana affect driving ability?
Driving experiments show that marijuana affects a wide range of skills
needed for safe driving -- thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard
for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events. Also, a driver's
ability to "track" (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly, and to
maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected. Research
shows that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a
single marijuana cigarette, long after the "high" is gone. If a person
drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly
increases. Marijuana presents a definite danger on the road.

Does marijuana affect the human reproductive system?
Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may
result in premature babies and in low birth weights. Studies of men and
women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that
marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid
physical and sexual development.

How does marijuana affect the heart?
Marijuana use increases the heart rate as much as 50 percent, depending on
the amount of THC. It can cause chest pain in people who have a poor blood
supply to the heart - and it produces these effects more rapidly than
tobacco smoke does.

How does marijuana affect the lungs?
Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs
because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their
lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung
tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the
way they work. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in
tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many
marijuana users also smoke cigarettes; the combined effects of smoking these
two substances creates an increased health risk.

Can marijuana cause cancer?
Marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer-causing agents than is
found in tobacco smoke. Examination of human lung tissue that had been
exposed to marijuana smoke over a long period of time in a laboratory showed
cellular changes called metaplasia that are considered precancerous. In
laboratory test, the tars from marijuana smoke have produced tumors when
applied to animal skin. These studies suggest that it is likely that
marijuana may cause cancer if used for a number of years.

How are people usually introduced to marijuana?
Many young people are introduced to marijuana by their peers - usually
acquaintances, friends, sisters, and brothers. People often try drugs such
as marijuana because they feel pressured by peers to be part of the group.
Children must be taught how to say no to peer pressure to try drugs. Parents
can get involved by becoming informed about marijuana and by talking to
their children about drug use.

What is marijuana "burnout"?
"Burnout" is a term first used by marijuana smokers themselves to describe
the effect of prolonged use. Young people who smoke marijuana heavily over
long periods of time can become dull, slow moving, and inattentive. These
"burned-out" users are sometimes so unaware of their surroundings that they
do not respond when friends speak to them, and they do not realize they have
a problem.

How long do chemicals from marijuana stay in the body after the drug is
smoked?
When marijuana is smoked, THC, its active ingredient, is absorbed by most
tissues and organs in the body; however, it is primarily found in fat
tissues. The body, in its attempt to rid itself of the foreign chemical,
chemically transforms the THC into metabolites. Urine tests can detect THC
metabolites for up to a week after people have smoked marijuana. Tests
involving radioactively labeled THC have traced these metabolites in animals
for up to a month.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1984.

[Anonymouse]

Post by Remic
THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE
LIE NUMBER 1
Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

there are fatal alcohol and tobacco overdoses Every Year in the US.

there have been -0- fatal overdoses of cannaabis in all of reported history.

Post by Remic
Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used.

filters are often used, you just don't get out much.

Post by Remic
The risk of it causing cancer is greatly increased.

cannabis use has never been linked to cancer regardless of the method of
administration... and even if it does contain twice the amount of tar
ass a conventional tobacco cigarrette since the total amount consumed
per day is so much less you're still ahead (ie 2 joints a day vs the 20
times more tobacco in a single pack..)

Post by Remic
Marijuana use leads to an addiction.

even the DEA has admitted that cannabis isn't addictive.

also check the Merck manual.

Post by Remic
Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

what "drug free" contemporaries? I'd bet well over 90% of hard drug
users first addictive drug used was caffeine in a soft drink.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 2
Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug
The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

are you talking about Olsen et al vs the DEA?

you should read it again, Judge Young recommended rescheduling.

Post by Remic
In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.
Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

odd... you can get prescribed cannabis on the national health plan in
the netherlands now.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 3
Police and Court Time Should Be Spent on More Important Matters

true

Post by Remic
Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,

what "dangers of marijuana"? getting busted? that's a danger of prohibition.

Post by Remic
such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

you mean while they sit their washing down a valium with a rum and coke
(a legal addictive "speedball"... alcohol and caffeine) while reaching
for a cigarrette?

Post by Remic
One of the major arguments is that the greatest harm is produced by the
criminalization of the use of illicit drugs.

true.

for example the greatest medical problem with daily opiate use is....

constipation.

Post by Remic
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

ok.... the Nixon study found that the greatest risk of soldiers using
marijuana (in vietnam) was that they tended to gain weight.

I guess that's a health issue...

what's the social problem of legal/regulated/taxed cannabis?

in the netherlands where cannabis is regulated and taxed they have a use
rate about half of the US rate.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 4
Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use
There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use.

actually there is.

they undoubtedly started their use of addictive drugs with alcohol,
nicotine, and caffeine... all addictive drugs.

Post by Remic
Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well.

in the netherlands they found that taking cannabis OUT of the hard drug
world both reduced hard drug useage and cannabis useage.

[Tracey]

Potheads will never give up trying to legalize their religion

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE
LIE NUMBER 1
Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

there are fatal alcohol and tobacco overdoses Every Year in the US.
there have been -0- fatal overdoses of cannaabis in all of reported history.

Post by Remic
Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used.

filters are often used, you just don't get out much.

Post by Remic
The risk of it causing cancer is greatly increased.

cannabis use has never been linked to cancer regardless of the method
of administration... and even if it does contain twice the amount of
tar ass a conventional tobacco cigarrette since the total amount
consumed per day is so much less you're still ahead (ie 2 joints a day
vs the 20 times more tobacco in a single pack..)

Post by Remic
Marijuana use leads to an addiction.

even the DEA has admitted that cannabis isn't addictive.
also check the Merck manual.

Post by Remic
Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

what "drug free" contemporaries? I'd bet well over 90% of hard drug
users first addictive drug used was caffeine in a soft drink.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 2
Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug
The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

are you talking about Olsen et al vs the DEA?
you should read it again, Judge Young recommended rescheduling.

Post by Remic
In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National
Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.
Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

odd... you can get prescribed cannabis on the national health plan in
the netherlands now.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 3
Police and Court Time Should Be Spent on More Important Matters

true

Post by Remic
Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,

what "dangers of marijuana"? getting busted? that's a danger of prohibition.

Post by Remic
such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

you mean while they sit their washing down a valium with a rum and
coke (a legal addictive "speedball"... alcohol and caffeine) while
reaching for a cigarrette?

Post by Remic
One of the major arguments is that the greatest harm is produced by the
criminalization of the use of illicit drugs.

true.
for example the greatest medical problem with daily opiate use is....
constipation.

Post by Remic
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

ok.... the Nixon study found that the greatest risk of soldiers using
marijuana (in vietnam) was that they tended to gain weight.
I guess that's a health issue...
what's the social problem of legal/regulated/taxed cannabis?
in the netherlands where cannabis is regulated and taxed they have a
use rate about half of the US rate.

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 4
Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use
There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use.

actually there is.
they undoubtedly started their use of addictive drugs with alcohol,
nicotine, and caffeine... all addictive drugs.

Post by Remic
Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well.

in the netherlands they found that taking cannabis OUT of the hard
drug world both reduced hard drug useage and cannabis useage.

[GWBush makes Quayle look like Lincoln]

Post by Tracey
Potheads will never give up trying to legalize their religion

Except for the ones who are currently making
lots of tax-free income from the artificial
government price-support subsidies provided
by its prohibition.

[Pupeas]

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
THE LIES ABOUT MARIJUANA USE
LIE NUMBER 1
Marijuana is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol and Tobacco Use.

there are fatal alcohol and tobacco overdoses Every Year in the US.

Who ODs on Tobacco by smoking it?

Post by Anonymouse
there have been -0- fatal deaths caused by cannaabis in all of reported

history.

That is a LIE. Prove it. You can't. How many stoners have had fatle car
wrecks? -0- ?
Bullshit!

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
Even though the tar content of cannabis smoke is higher than that of an
ordinary pure tobacco cigarette, no filter is used.

filters are often used, you just don't get out much.

*No one uses stinking FILTERS! What planet are you from?

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
The risk of it causing cancer is greatly increased.

cannabis use has never been linked to cancer regardless of the method of
administration... and even if it does contain twice the amount of tar
ass a conventional tobacco cigarrette since the total amount consumed
per day is so much less you're still ahead (ie 2 joints a day vs the 20
times more tobacco in a single pack..)

*There are many studies that show MARIJUANA USE increases cancer, just like
Tobacco.

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
Marijuana use leads to an addiction.

even the DEA has admitted that cannabis isn't addictive.

*DEA means Physically addictive, but MARIJUANA is highly physologically
addicitve.
Which IS addiction.

Post by Anonymouse
also check the Merck manual.

Post by Remic
Users of cannabis move more easily on to using other narcotic drugs than
their drug-free contemporaries. At least 80% of those who later become
heroin and cocaine addicts started their career in drugs with hashish or
marijuana.

what "drug free" contemporaries? I'd bet well over 90% of hard drug
users first addictive drug used was caffeine in a soft drink.

Changing the subject again, it was/is MARIJUANA USE, and they will tell you.

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 2
Marijuana Is A Medically Necessary Drug
The facts remain, however, that in 1989, after an extensive inquiry, the US
government issued an order rejecting an application to reschedule marijuana
for medicinal use.

are you talking about Olsen et al vs the DEA?
you should read it again, Judge Young recommended rescheduling.

It was rejected later.

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
In 1993, the US Congress issued another statement which confirmed the
Following exhaustive studies of existing data by the National Institute for
Health, scientists concluded that there is no clinical evidence to suggest
that smoked marijuana is superior to currently available therapies for
glaucoma, weight loss and wasting associated with AIDS, nausea and vomiting
associated with cancer chemotherapy, muscular spasticity associated with
multiple sclerosis or intractable pain.
Similar conclusions have been published in reports from other countries,
including the Netherlands (which is the home of one of the most liberal drug
policies in the world).

odd... you can get prescribed cannabis on the national health plan in
the netherlands now.

Your Facts are Off. They took it off the streets just last year, they used
to have cafe's to smoke it in, but the government has cracked down on it,
and the only way to get it is through certain doctors now, and they have
strict limits.

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 3
Young people are confused and misinformed about the dangers of marijuana,

what "dangers of marijuana"? getting busted? that's a danger of prohibition.

You should inform yourself on the medical and physical dangers, but since
your in an addiction, you won't.
Is driving a car stoned a danger?

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
such proposals undermine the efforts of parents who are trying
to influence their children not to use drugs to protect both the health and
future of their children.

you mean while they sit their washing down a valium with a rum and coke
(a legal addictive "speedball"... alcohol and caffeine) while reaching
for a cigarrette?

*You are Changing the subject, trying to justify your use, the dog has an
itch, you gotta smoke a joint.
It is addictive thinking, dude.

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
that marijuana use is a serious health and social risk. Criminalizing
marijuana also enables those found guilty of using it to be given treatment,
education and rehabilitation.

ok.... the Nixon study found that the greatest risk of soldiers using
marijuana (in vietnam) was that they tended to gain weight.

That is a lie, Urban rumor, read the study, do you have the link?

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
LIE NUMBER 4
Marijuana Use Does Not Lead to Other Drug Use
There is no doubt that most heroin and cocaine addicts started their drug
taking careers with marijuana use.

actually there is.
they undoubtedly started their use of addictive drugs with alcohol,
nicotine, and caffeine... all addictive drugs.

You are changing the subject again, blame it on the doctor who delivered you
because he gave your Mom a pain shot.
IT IS MARIJUANA USE

Post by Anonymouse

Post by Remic
Clearly, if the numbers of cannabis users can be reduced, the number of
users of other illegal drugs will be reduced as well.

in the netherlands they found that taking cannabis OUT of the hard drug
world both reduced hard drug useage and cannabis useage.

Good, take it all out. too many stoned slugs around.

[Sal]

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/325/7374/1195?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=cannabis&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1095093886938_14360&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=1

Cannabis use and mental health in young people: cohort study
Papers pp 1199, 1212
George C Patton, professor of adolescent health a, Carolyn Coffey,
epidemiologist a, John B Carlin, director of unit b, Louisa Degenhardt,
research fellow c, Michael Lynskey, visiting research fellow d, Wayne Hall,
professor of bioethics e.
a Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute,
Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, b Clinical Epidemiology and
Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, c National Drug
and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052,
Australia, d Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA, e Office of Public Policy and Ethics,
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072,
Australia
Correspondence to: G Patton ***@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au


Objective: To determine whether cannabis use in adolescence predisposes to
higher rates of depression and anxiety in young adulthood.

Design: Seven wave cohort study over six years.

Setting: 44 schools in the Australian state of Victoria.

Participants: A statewide secondary school sample of 1601 students aged
14-15 followed for seven years.
Main outcome measure: Interview measure of depression and anxiety (revised
clinical interview schedule) at wave 7.
Results: Some 60% of participants had used cannabis by the age of 20; 7%
were daily users at that point. Daily use in young women was associated with
an over fivefold increase in the odds of reporting a state of depression and
anxiety after adjustment for intercurrent use of other substances (odds
ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.6 to 12). Weekly or more frequent
cannabis use in teenagers predicted an approximately twofold increase in
risk for later depression and anxiety (1.9, 1.1 to 3.3) after adjustment for
potential baseline confounders. In contrast, depression and anxiety in
teenagers predicted neither later weekly nor daily cannabis use.

Conclusions: Frequent cannabis use in teenage girls predicts later
depression and anxiety, with daily users carrying the highest risk. Given
recent increasing levels of cannabis use, measures to reduce frequent and
heavy recreational use seem warranted.

What is already known on this topic

Frequent recreational use of cannabis has been linked to high rates of
depression and anxiety in cross sectional surveys and studies of long term
users

Why cannabis users have higher rates of depression and anxiety is uncertain

Previous longitudinal studies of cannabis use in youth have not analysed
associations with frequent cannabis use
What this study adds

A strong association between daily use of cannabis and depression and
anxiety in young women persists after adjustment for intercurrent use of
other substances

Frequent cannabis use in teenage girls predicts later higher rates of
depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety in teenagers do not predict later cannabis use; self
medication is therefore unlikely to be the reason for the association

After increases in cannabis use during the early 1990s, a majority of young
people in the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, and Australia now
use cannabis recreationally. 1 2 Despite the high prevalence of cannabis
use, uncertainty persists about its physical and psychological
consequences.3

Among the most prominent concerns have been putative links between use of
cannabis and mental disorders. A large intake of cannabis seems able to
trigger acute psychotic episodes and may worsen outcomes in established
psychosis. 4 5 Associations with non-psychotic disorders have received less
attention. Yet evidence for an association between cannabis use and
depression and anxiety has grown.6 Chronic daily users report high levels of
anxiety, depression, fatigue, and their motivation is low.7 In one recent
survey of young adults, over a third reported symptoms of anxiety that were
associated with cannabis use; young women reported these more commonly.8
Cross sectional associations between cannabis use and depression and anxiety
have now been reported in surveys in both adolescents and adults, 9 10
although not all studies have found an association in male participants.11

Questions remain about the level of association between cannabis use and
depression and anxiety and about the mechanism underpinning the link.
Pre-existing symptoms might raise the likelihood of cannabis use through a
mechanism of self medication.12 Alternatively, cannabis use may be more
likely in people with a background of social adversity or particular
characteristicsfactors that might also raise risks for mental disorders.
Cannabis may also carry a direct risk for depression and anxiety.

We examined the risks for later depression and anxiety associated with
cannabis use in teenagers. Specifically, the study addressed three
questions. Firstly, does cannabis use in adolescents predict the development
of symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adults? Secondly, do symptoms
of depression and anxiety in adolescence predict cannabis use in young
adults? Thirdly, is any relation explained by factors such as family
background or intercurrent use of other substances?


Between August 1992 and December 1998 we conducted a seven wave cohort study
of adolescent health in the Australian state of Victoria. The cohort was
defined in a two stage cluster sample, in which we selected two classes at
random from each of 44 schools drawn from a stratified frame of government
run, Catholic, and independent schools (total number of students 60 905).
School retention rates to year nine in the year of sampling were 98%. One
class from each school entered the cohort in the latter part of the ninth
school year (wave 1) and the second class six months later, early in the
10th school year (wave 2). Participants were subsequently reviewed at six
month intervals for the next two years (waves 3 to 6), with a final follow
up (wave 7) at the age of 20-21, three years after the final school year in
Victoria. In waves 1 to 6, participants self administered the questionnaire
on laptop computers,13 and those absent from school were followed up by
telephone. The seventh wave of data collection used computer assisted
telephone interviews. All stages of the study were approved by the ethics
committee of the Royal Children's Hospital.

From a total sample of 2032 students, 1947 (95.8%) participated at least
once during the first six (adolescent) waves. In wave 7, 1601 young adults
(79% of the initial sample or 82% of teenage participants) were interviewed
between April and December 1998. Response rates are shown in figure 1.
Reasons for non-completion at follow up were refusal (n=152), loss of
contact (n=192), and death (n=2). We examined characteristics of
non-completers in a logistic regression model. Male participants were
over-represented (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 2.4), as
were parental divorce or separation (1.8, 1.4 to 2.5), and daily tobacco
smoking at study inception (2.1, 1.5 to 2.9). Neither teenage depression and
anxiety nor cannabis use were independently associated with loss to follow
up. The mean age at wave 1 was 14.5 (SD 0.5) years; at wave 7 it was 20.7
(0.5) years. Of the 1601 participants in wave 7, 1130 (71%) still lived at
home, 429 (27%) lived with others, and 42 (3%) lived alone. A total of 1345
(82%) had completed the final year of school; 1355 (85%) had started
post-school study.



Measures
We used the computerised revised clinical interview schedule (CIS-R) to
assess depression and anxiety at each wave.14 The schedule provides data on
the frequency, severity, persistence, and intrusiveness of 14 common
psychiatric symptoms and has been widely used in population based surveys.15
A total score of 12 or greater was taken to define a mixed state of
depression and anxiety at a lower threshold than syndromes of major
depression and anxiety disorder but one where clinical intervention would
still be appropriate.16

We assessed cannabis use on the basis of self reported frequency of use in
the previous six months in waves 1 to 6 and in the previous 12 months in
wave 7. This allowed classification as never used, less than weekly use, at
least weekly use, and daily use (defined as using on five or more days per
week), and initiation after wave 6. We assessed use of alcohol, tobacco, and
other illicit drugs (including ecstasy, heroin, amphetamines, LSD, and
steroids) on the basis of self reported frequency of use and with
retrospective diaries over seven days for participants reporting recent
drinking or smoking. Participants drinking on three or more days in the
previous week were classified as frequent drinkers. We assessed antisocial
behaviour in waves 1 to 6 by using items from the self reported early
delinquency scale that covered property damage, interpersonal violence, and
theft.17

Analysis
We collected data at a developmental point when young people are difficult
to trace because of high mobility. Although the response rate was high and
attrition low, 70% of respondents missed at least one wave of data
collection, which led to potential bias in summary measures of exposure to
cannabis and mental health problems calculated from the six waves of data
collection among adolescents. To circumvent this, we used multiple
imputation with five complete datasets created by imputation under the
multivariate mixed effects model of Schafer and Yucel, incorporating the
covariates sex, age, rural or urban residence, and parental education
(available for all participants). 18 19 These covariates were strongly
associated with missingness, and the model incorporated a random effects
structure to accommodate correlation within participants over time. We
constructed principal measures by classifying participants according to
whether they fell into categories of interest at least once during wave 1 to
6 (adolescence) and, separately, in wave 7 (young adulthood). Data analysis
was performed with Stata 7. We modelled associations by univariate and
multivariate logistic regression analyses and used Wald tests and related
confidence intervals to assess statistical significance and precision.


Altogether 71 male participants (9.7%, 95% confidence interval 7.5% to 12%)
and 188 (22%, 19% to 25%) of female participants reported depression and
anxiety as young adults (odds ratio 2.6, 1.9 to 3.5). Sixty six per cent
(484/731) of male participants and 52% (448/859) of female participants
reported using cannabis at some time (11 participants did not respond to
this question), with three quarters starting use when they were teenagers.
Twenty per cent (146; 17% to 22%) of male participants and 8% (69; 6% to
10%) of female participants were using cannabis at least weekly, with 10%
(73; 8% to 12%) of young men and 4% (37; 3% to 6%) of young women using it
daily.

The prevalence of depression and anxiety increased with higher extents of
cannabis use, but this pattern was clearest in female participants (table
1). We used logistic regression to analyse the level of association between
depression and anxiety and cannabis use in young adults (table 2) after
adjustment for concurrent substance use. We found a significant interaction
between sex and daily cannabis use. In the adjusted model, young women who
used cannabis daily had an over fivefold increase in the odds of depression
and anxiety found in non-users.


Cannabis in adolescence and depression in young adults
We used logistic regression to examine the prediction of depression and
anxiety in young adults by cannabis use in adolescence. In the univariate
analysis a dose response was evident: daily use in female teenagers
predicted fourfold higher odds of later depression and anxiety (odds ratio
4.2, 1.6 to 11), weekly use a twofold elevation (2.3, 1.3 to 4.2). In the
multivariate model we collapsed the top categories of cannabis use (table
3). The interaction between sex and weekly or more frequent use was
significant. An almost twofold increase in risk for weekly or more frequent
users who were female persisted after adjustment for potential confounders.
We considered whether depression and anxiety in adolescence predicted later
cannabis use in young adulthood in two further logistic regression models,
examining the predictions of weekly and daily use (table 4). After
adjustment for adolescent cannabis use and other potential confounders,
adolescent depression and anxiety predicted neither weekly nor daily use.


Around 60% of the statewide secondary school sample had used cannabis
recreationally by young adulthood; most participants first experimented
while at secondary school. By young adulthood 7% were daily users and in
young women this level of use was associated with over five times the odds
of depression and anxiety found in non-users. In young women, weekly use as
teenagers predicted a twofold increase in later depression and anxiety and
daily use a fourfold increase. In contrast, depression in teenagers did not
predict higher cannabis use.

Strengths
Earlier cohort studies had a limited capacity to address the key questions
of this study. One study reported a prospective relation between cannabis
use and later depression but started well after the risk period of onset for
both.20 Two important studies in adolescence examined either monthly
cannabis use or use in the preceding yeardoses that in the light of this
study are unlikely to be associated with mental health problems. 21 22

Our close to representative sample, high rates of participation, and
frequent measures during participants' teenage years are strengths of this
study. A telephone interview strategy was used in data collection in the
last wave, and, although prevalence estimates may vary slightly as a result,
it is unlikely to have caused a systematic bias in patterns of association.
The use of multiple imputation minimised measurement biases arising from
missing data during the teenage years, but we did not attempt to adjust for
differential participation of young adults. Even though depression and
anxiety in teenagers and cannabis use did not predict dropout from the
study, the difference in non-responders on other factors (for example, sex
or family structure) may have had some bearing on the specification of
associations.

What the results might mean

Possible explanations for the high degree of depression and anxiety found in
young women who used cannabis often include underlying characteristics that
predispose to both anxiety and depression, self medication of pre-existing
depressive symptoms, and an adverse effect of cannabis on mental health.21
The association with cannabis use persisted after adjustment for concurrent
use of alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit substances as well as indices of
family disadvantagefindings consistent with a more direct relation. We
considered self medication with cannabis but found no prospective relation
between depression and anxiety in adolescence and later frequent cannabis
use, consistent with an earlier report.22
The persistence of associations in the multivariate models and the evidence
for a prospective dose-response relation are consistent with a view that
frequent use of cannabis in young people increases the risks of later
depression and anxiety. Psychosocial mechanismsfor example, the adoption of
a countercultural lifestylepossibly underlie the association. Social
consequences of frequent use include educational failure, dropout,
unemployment, and crimeall factors that may lead to higher rates of mental
disorders. Because risks seem confined largely to daily users, however, the
question about a direct pharmacological effect remains. Cannabinoid
receptors (CB1) are found widely in the central nervous system, with a
distribution that is consistent with effects on a wide range of brain
functions including memory, emotion, cognition, and movement.23

Cannabis use in young people remains a controversial area, and absence of
good data has handicapped the development of rational public health
policies.3 These findings contribute to evidence that frequent cannabis use
may have a deleterious effect on mental health beyond a risk for psychotic
symptoms. Strategies to reduce frequent use of cannabis might reduce the
level of mental disorders in young people.


Acknowledgments

Contributors: GCP was the principal investigator and prepared the
manuscript. CC was the study coordinator and contributed to data analysis
and manuscript preparation. JBC contributed to the data analysis and
manuscript preparation. LD, ML, and WH contributed to the preparation of the
manuscript. GCP is the guarantor.
Footnotes

Editorial by Rey and Tennant
Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council and Victorian Health
Promotion Foundation.
Competing interests: None declared.

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(Accepted 15 August 2002)



© BMJ 2002

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[Remic]

Are there any other adverse reactions to marijuana?

A common bad reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction."
People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of "losing control," which
causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours.


What about psychological dependence on marijuana?

Long-term regular users of marijuana may become psychologically dependent.
They may have a hard time limiting their use, they may need more of the drug
to get the same effect, and they may develop problems with their jobs and
personal relationships. The drug can become the most important aspect of
their lives.


What are the dangers for young people?

One major concern about marijuana is its possible effects on young people as
they grow up. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the
more likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs. In addition,
when young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest
and are not motivated to do their schoolwork. The effects of marijuana can
interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and
verbal and mathematical skills. Research shows that students do not remember
what they have learned when they are "high".

How does marijuana affect driving ability?

Driving experiments show that marijuana affects a wide range of skills
needed for safe driving -- thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard
for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events. Also, a driver's
ability to "track" (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly, and to
maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected. Research
shows that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a
single marijuana cigarette, long after the "high" is gone. If a person
drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly
increases. Marijuana presents a definite danger on the road.

Does marijuana affect the human reproductive system?

Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may
result in premature babies and in low birth weights. Studies of men and
women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that
marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid
physical and sexual development.

How does marijuana affect the heart?

Marijuana use increases the heart rate as much as 50 percent, depending on
the amount of THC. It can cause chest pain in people who have a poor blood
supply to the heart - and it produces these effects more rapidly than
tobacco smoke does.

How does marijuana affect the lungs?

Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs
because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their
lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung
tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the
way they work. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in
tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many
marijuana users also smoke cigarettes; the combined effects of smoking these
two substances creates an increased health risk.

Can marijuana cause cancer?

Marijuana smoke has been found to contain more cancer-causing agents than is
found in tobacco smoke. Examination of human lung tissue that had been
exposed to marijuana smoke over a long period of time in a laboratory showed
cellular changes called metaplasia that are considered precancerous. In
laboratory test, the tars from marijuana smoke have produced tumors when
applied to animal skin. These studies suggest that it is likely that
marijuana may cause cancer if used for a number of years.

How are people usually introduced to marijuana?

Many young people are introduced to marijuana by their peers - usually
acquaintances, friends, sisters, and brothers. People often try drugs such
as marijuana because they feel pressured by peers to be part of the group.
Children must be taught how to say no to peer pressure to try drugs. Parents
can get involved by becoming informed about marijuana and by talking to
their children about drug use.

What is marijuana "burnout"?

"Burnout" is a term first used by marijuana smokers themselves to describe
the effect of prolonged use. Young people who smoke marijuana heavily over
long periods of time can become dull, slow moving, and inattentive. These
"burned-out" users are sometimes so unaware of their surroundings that they
do not respond when friends speak to them, and they do not realize they have
a problem.

How long do chemicals from marijuana stay in the body after the drug is
smoked?

When marijuana is smoked, THC, its active ingredient, is absorbed by most
tissues and organs in the body; however, it is primarily found in fat
tissues. The body, in its attempt to rid itself of the foreign chemical,
chemically transforms the THC into metabolites. Urine tests can detect THC
metabolites for up to a week after people have smoked marijuana. Tests
involving radioactively labeled THC have traced these metabolites in animals
for up to a month.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1984.