What do you guys think about legalization of marijuana?

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 2, 2004, 11:04 am

I believe you would need to smoke 15 pounds of weed a minute for 15 minutes in order to overdose.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » December 2, 2004, 11:22 am

Sueven wrote:I believe you would need to smoke 15 pounds of weed a minute for 15 minutes in order to overdose.

Lol.. I've never smoked 1 gram inside of a minute, let alone 6740 grams in a minute.

At $300/ounce, this translates to $1,080,000. In other words, it could never happen.

Neost · Post by **Neost** » December 2, 2004, 11:42 am

if you are paying 300 an ounce you are either getting screwed or are getting the best weed known to mankind and I want some.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » December 2, 2004, 11:53 am

In my area, the shitty stuff is $100/ounce and the great stuff is $300/ounce. Worse is that I buy by the eighth.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » December 2, 2004, 12:07 pm

I recall $20 an ounce for the good stuff...

Lost interest in it a loooong time ago.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 2, 2004, 12:43 pm

$300/ounce is pretty standard for good weed in the northeast.

I once worked out what it would take to smoke an ounce by myself. I think I came to the conclusion that I would have to smoke one bowl every three minutes for six hours to finish it off. Fifteen pounds of weed would be more than 25,000 bowls. Basically you'd need to smoke just about 400,000 bowls in 15 minutes to overdose.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 2, 2004, 1:05 pm

weed

edit:

From today's Nature:

Published online: 01 December 2004; | doi:10.1038/news041129-7
Cannabis boosts risk of psychosis
Michael Hopkin
Teens vulnerable to mental problems should abstain, experts warn.

The more you use, the greater the risk.

© Punchstock

Using cannabis during adolescence or early adulthood increases the risk of developing psychotic symptoms, according to a study that tracked almost 2,500 young people. Crucially, those who are already predisposed to such problems are at a disproportionately greater risk when using the drug.

Psychiatrists found that those using cannabis have, on average, a 6% greater chance of suffering psychotic symptoms such as schizophrenia, delusions and paranoia, compared with those who don't take the drug. But for the 10% of people who are already vulnerable to such problems, such as those with a family history of schizophrenia, this figure leaps to 25%.

What's more, these figures depend on the level of drug intake, particularly for those already in danger, says Jim van Os of Maastricht University in the Netherlands, who led the study. "If you are vulnerable, then the more cannabis you use, the greater your risk of psychosis," he told a press conference in London on 1 December.

Overall, his team found that volunteers who were predisposed to mental problems and frequently smoked cannabis had roughly a 50% chance of suffering psychotic symptoms within the four years of the study, which took place in Germany.

Drugs bust

Cannabis has already been linked to psychosis, but experts were unsure whether the drug itself causes problems, or whether psychotics are simply more likely to use it. The latest study, published in an online version of the British Medical Journal1, is the first to track the subsequent effects of cannabis use, rather than examining the past behaviour of psychiatric patients.

Neuroscientists suspect that the effects are down to cannabis's main psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound stimulates brain cells to release more of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a process that initially stimulates pleasure but can later also lead to paranoia or hallucinations.

"We're not saying that cannabis is the major cause of psychosis," says Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, who also studies the link between cannabis and mental health. Other factors that cause mental stress, such as emigrating, may have a greater effect, he suggests.

In fact, members of the study group, which consisted of 14-24-year-olds, had a 15% chance of showing symptoms at some point during the four years even if they did not smoke cannabis and had no predisposition to psychosis.

Nonetheless, psychiatric carers need to be more aware of the link between cannabis and psychosis, argues Zerrin Atakan, also of the Institute of Psychiatry. "There's a shortage of knowledge and training," she says. "What I see as a clinician is that patients see the connection [at first], but when they start to get better they remember the pleasurable aspects of cannabis."

Cannabis advocates point to the drug's pain-relieving qualities as evidence that it is beneficial and should be prescribed for use in treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis. And those who argue that it should be legalized for recreational use claim that the drug's feel-good benefits outweigh any potential problems.

On the level

The problem is that black-market cannabis can contain wildly differing levels of THC, says van Os. "In the Netherlands concentrations are getting very high, up to 20% in some places. Youngsters think this is normal, but many of the old hippies in Amsterdam refuse to take it; they are used to 2 or 3%," he says.

"I personally believe it should be legalized so it can be regulated," says Atakan. "Then when you buy joints they will be labelled with how much THC they contain."

Encouraging openness and awareness is the key, agrees van Os: "Youngsters are very aware of their acute reactions to cannabis. For example, one in seven get paranoid ideas that they find distressing." Encouraging cannabis users to discuss such problems could have the knock-on effect of reducing the drug's public-health impact, he suggests.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » December 2, 2004, 2:46 pm

So psychos shouldn't do drugs? ALERT THE FUCKING PRESSES!!!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » December 2, 2004, 3:12 pm

masteen wrote:So psychos shouldn't do drugs? ALERT THE FUCKING PRESSES!!!

Might help if you actually read and comprehend the article.

archeiron · Post by **archeiron** » December 2, 2004, 3:15 pm

Voronwë wrote:weed

edit:

From today's Nature:
Published online: 01 December 2004; | doi:10.1038/news041129-7
Cannabis boosts risk of psychosis
Michael Hopkin
Teens vulnerable to mental problems should abstain, experts warn.

The more you use, the greater the risk.

© Punchstock

Using cannabis during adolescence or early adulthood increases the risk of developing psychotic symptoms, according to a study that tracked almost 2,500 young people. Crucially, those who are already predisposed to such problems are at a disproportionately greater risk when using the drug.

Psychiatrists found that those using cannabis have, on average, a 6% greater chance of suffering psychotic symptoms such as schizophrenia, delusions and paranoia, compared with those who don't take the drug. But for the 10% of people who are already vulnerable to such problems, such as those with a family history of schizophrenia, this figure leaps to 25%.

What's more, these figures depend on the level of drug intake, particularly for those already in danger, says Jim van Os of Maastricht University in the Netherlands, who led the study. "If you are vulnerable, then the more cannabis you use, the greater your risk of psychosis," he told a press conference in London on 1 December.

Overall, his team found that volunteers who were predisposed to mental problems and frequently smoked cannabis had roughly a 50% chance of suffering psychotic symptoms within the four years of the study, which took place in Germany.

Drugs bust

Cannabis has already been linked to psychosis, but experts were unsure whether the drug itself causes problems, or whether psychotics are simply more likely to use it. The latest study, published in an online version of the British Medical Journal1, is the first to track the subsequent effects of cannabis use, rather than examining the past behaviour of psychiatric patients.

Neuroscientists suspect that the effects are down to cannabis's main psychoactive ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound stimulates brain cells to release more of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a process that initially stimulates pleasure but can later also lead to paranoia or hallucinations.

"We're not saying that cannabis is the major cause of psychosis," says Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, who also studies the link between cannabis and mental health. Other factors that cause mental stress, such as emigrating, may have a greater effect, he suggests.

In fact, members of the study group, which consisted of 14-24-year-olds, had a 15% chance of showing symptoms at some point during the four years even if they did not smoke cannabis and had no predisposition to psychosis.

Nonetheless, psychiatric carers need to be more aware of the link between cannabis and psychosis, argues Zerrin Atakan, also of the Institute of Psychiatry. "There's a shortage of knowledge and training," she says. "What I see as a clinician is that patients see the connection [at first], but when they start to get better they remember the pleasurable aspects of cannabis."

Cannabis advocates point to the drug's pain-relieving qualities as evidence that it is beneficial and should be prescribed for use in treating conditions such as multiple sclerosis. And those who argue that it should be legalized for recreational use claim that the drug's feel-good benefits outweigh any potential problems.

On the level

The problem is that black-market cannabis can contain wildly differing levels of THC, says van Os. "In the Netherlands concentrations are getting very high, up to 20% in some places. Youngsters think this is normal, but many of the old hippies in Amsterdam refuse to take it; they are used to 2 or 3%," he says.

"I personally believe it should be legalized so it can be regulated," says Atakan. "Then when you buy joints they will be labelled with how much THC they contain."

Encouraging openness and awareness is the key, agrees van Os: "Youngsters are very aware of their acute reactions to cannabis. For example, one in seven get paranoid ideas that they find distressing." Encouraging cannabis users to discuss such problems could have the knock-on effect of reducing the drug's public-health impact, he suggests.

This would be a great justification for setting the "smoking age" to 21 if cannibis were ever legalized.

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » December 2, 2004, 4:14 pm

I knew you guys were N-V-T-S Nvts.

Asheran Mojomaster · Post by **Asheran Mojomaster** » December 2, 2004, 5:13 pm

Sueven wrote:$300/ounce is pretty standard for good weed in the northeast.

I once worked out what it would take to smoke an ounce by myself. I think I came to the conclusion that I would have to smoke one bowl every three minutes for six hours to finish it off. Fifteen pounds of weed would be more than 25,000 bowls. Basically you'd need to smoke just about 400,000 bowls in 15 minutes to overdose.

$300 an ounce for good stuff must be the norm for the entire Eastern part of the US. Same here in Alabama, but I can get an ounce of some moderate quality swag for $60 (ounce of swag is usually $100-$120, I have a good hookup), so its not worth my money to buy premium. Friend of mine from Colorado can get an ounce of some good shit for $120 though

. He said the average price for an ounce of swag is $50-60 there.

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » December 2, 2004, 5:58 pm

NYC weed is the best I've ever had, I was destroyed after 2 hits, comparison to NJ's 6 hits. Indiana's sucks ass. It didn't even get me to desired f'd up-ness.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 2, 2004, 6:44 pm

It's really tough to pinpoint a location for weed based on where it's sold. An absolute shitload of the weed in Philadelphia comes from farmers in Tennessee, moved up the northeast corridor via gang connections. But it's equally possible that what you get was grown by the very guy who sells it to you.

Most folks get all up in arms about weed being grown by hippies in California and Vermont. While these hippies do indeed grow some of the finest weed in the country, the majority of marijuana that gets smoked in this country is grown by family farmers in the bible belt who aren't able to make a living growing conventional crops. There's also huge plantations hidden inside deep forests and state parks, often manned by illegal immigrants. Only a relatively small amount of marijuana comes from typical hippie enclaves, and very little comes from within cities themselves. The reason that weed is so good in a place like New York City is that the city is a major shipping hub, so dealers can pretty much pick and choose any source they like. If you're finding really good weed in a small community, it means one of two things: Either someone is shipping weed through that small community, or you live in a community surrounded by connoisseurs who have put in some effort to secure a steady supply of good weed.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » December 2, 2004, 6:49 pm

Never smoked weed or even a normal cigarette.

The problem with legalisation is that it make the substances that much easier for under aged kids to get it though. Not sure if I would like my daughter exposed to even a soft drug like weed.

I'd havta say legalisation but with heavier restrictions than with Alchool or cigarettes.

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » December 2, 2004, 6:53 pm

Don't you think it would be a good idea to move the age restriction on these things either down or up? I mean it's easy to get alcohol because the age difference is not that large. They have friends who are about that age. It's kinda hard for an 18 year old to fake being a 25 year old...

-=Lohrno

masteen · Post by **masteen** » December 2, 2004, 7:22 pm

Animalor wrote:Never smoked weed or even a normal cigarette.

The problem with legalisation is that it make the substances that much easier for under aged kids to get it though. Not sure if I would like my daughter exposed to even a soft drug like weed.

I'd havta say legalisation but with heavier restrictions than with Alchool or cigarettes.

You are dead wrong about this. When I was in high school it was 100 times easier to get weed, coke, or speed than it was to get beer or even cigs. My neice graduated last year, and she said that things have not changed, except now the kids don't do speed, they do X.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » December 2, 2004, 7:27 pm

Fash wrote:
Spang wrote:are there any reported cases of someone dying as a result of marijuana. i don't recall ever seeing one.

can someone post me a link to such a case?
There is not one documented case of death by marijuana.

For one, it's so non-toxic, you would have to consume almost an actual TON of the stuff in a very short period of time to die from it. It's just physically impossible to overdose.

Just boggles me that tobacco can kill up to 400,000 each year, alcohol can kill up to 50,000 each year... AND MARIJUANA IS THE DEMON WEED... with 0 kills.

thanks, that's what i thought. haven't smoked since high school (8+ years) but if we can kill oursevles legally with newports and beer we should be able to live with weed, legally.

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » December 2, 2004, 7:27 pm

Weed is as easy as a phone call in high school, dealers always have supply, while beer requires a fake ID or a friend with time who is over 21.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » December 2, 2004, 7:30 pm

I'm all for making it legal, but it does alter your mind, which, impairs your driving.

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » December 2, 2004, 7:31 pm

Definately, no substance should be taken with driving.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 2, 2004, 7:34 pm

Anyone know where I can score some placebos in Az? I like to take them and then run around the room all crazy like.

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » December 2, 2004, 7:36 pm

Yeah that sugar pill really makes your mind go wild... Sell a lot of them to kids and make their parents go nuts.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » December 2, 2004, 8:38 pm

The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog.

--G.K. Chesterton

Don't see any reason why that doesn't apply to marijuana use as well.

Kudo · Post by **Kudo** » December 3, 2004, 2:08 am

Anyone know how much it costs to keep a person imprisoned for a year? and how many people are in prison/jail for posession and/or intent?

All that money spent towards keeping passive (usually) people in prisons. People in prison don't earn money, don't pay taxes, and only cost society money.

I am for legalization. But with restrictions similar to those of alcohol. You can argue all you want, but you can't say 100% truthfully that while driving stoned you aren't impaired.

Just change the existing alcohol laws to include marijuana. I'm scared as shit to drive drunk, not only because i am impaired, but also the fact that my liscence can be taken away and then ALL of my driving would be illegal.

By the way, $300 an oz? I get my stuff at $150 a QP and it's damn good.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » December 3, 2004, 11:11 am

If you are used to crap weed then you can get by on the cheap stuff. I can guarantee though that if you ever try good stuff then you will never be able to smoke the crap stuff again. Best stuff I ever had was in San Francisco and cost about 280 a quarter ounce. I smoked some cheap stuff later and it made me sicker than a dog. The extra cost is worth it for higher quality.

In Wisconsin, it costs approx $15,000 per year per inmate. It is almost impossible to find accurate numbers for how many people are currently serving pot-related jail time. Numbers for current inmates vary from 35,000 - 60,000. This seems small but possession jail terms are usually less than a year and only about 30 days for a second offense. The staggering number is that there were 735,000 pot related arrests. 89% were for simple possession. Costs, at Wisconsin prices, are at $525-900 million per year for inmate housing. I am sure it costs a lot more in other states like California.

One study that was done here is that it would only cost the government $1500 per year to bracelet inmates and let them go home. That would save a lot of money in itself.

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » December 3, 2004, 12:39 pm

Passive People in prison = Pin Cushion for Hard Convict cocks.

Better get your meth on in the big house.

Wurd.