Marijuana Addiction is Real

[Paul_G]

I am a product of the 70's. Graduated HS in 76. During this time period Marijuana use was highly accepted in the crowd I ran with. I smoked the **** every day, sometimes multiple times per day. I did this for many years. When my first child was born and I started trade school it was necessary for me to change my ways. I can say first hand it was hard as hell to stop using MJ. Hard to the point of addiction, but not like hard drugs or alcohol, but still, I was dependent on the ****.

To see this **** becoming legal truly disappoints me. I do believe there are uses for MJ in the treatment of many medical conditions. It does take your mind off what ails you. Not a cure, but it can help during the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Article;

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7d76716fe2fb

Marijuana Addiction is Real

Many people are unaware of marijuana addiction. But in the public health and medical communities, it is a well-defined disorder that includes physical withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and psychological dependence. According to Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 2.7 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for marijuana dependence, second only to alcohol dependence. Unlike with opioids and stimulants, marijuana dependence tends to develop slowly. Months or years may pass before symptoms begin to affect a dependent user's life.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Politicians now love it solely for the taxes it will generate. They could not care less about the problems it will create.

 

[Glenwood]

as long as our government can profit from addictions like mj, alcohol and gambling with the monopolies it controls...it's all good I guess right?

 

[vintage chromoly]

I have no problem with the eventual legalization of marijuana.
There are lots of other things we put into our bodies that are much worse and cause much more burden on society.
Bottom line is that millions of Americans smoke / use marijuana and it's time to legalize and tax it.

We could criminalize fast food and tobacco and manufacture more criminals as well.

 

[vintage chromoly]

I'd bet that most folks who use marijuana will do so, legal or not and most folks that don't use it will not start using it, legal or not.

 

[khryslerkid]

Mary Jane was popular in my crowd when I was in school. (Mid '70s) I never really knew anyone who became addicted to it then. Many years later I might run into one or two who are still useing it and it's a daily habit.

Myself, I could take it or leave it. Drinking, I can take it or leave it. Smoking cigarettes, that is a different situation for me. Very hard to break. I've known others that can smoke cigarettes and they could take it or leave it. My son could smoke for a week and quit just like that. A year later he might do the same thing again.

People are different in the way that they can be addicted to something. I think there are a lot more people that become addicted to tobacco, alcohol and hard drugs. Pot not so much.

 

[WP29440SE]

I've never been addicted to anything that I couldn't just quit including cigarettes and alcohol. if you really want to quit you will. everything else up to that point is a weak mind. I smoked for 33 years and quit gold turkey and do not miss it.
go ahead and pile on but I speak from experience. addiction is nothing more than an excuse and a multi-billion dollar industry

 

[Bill Monk]

I'm on the line with this. Am I for legalization? ABSOLUTELY NOT. However....prohibition taught us that criminalizing alcohol just funded organized crime and instead of collecting tax from the sales, represented a huge cost to try and combat it. The same thing applies here, even though I believe it to be a bad thing, there is no arguing that over the years we have spent millions trying to stop it and incarcerating offenders and for every one you lock up, there is 2 more to take their place. Don't misunderstand me, I don't want it legal but as someone that both drank and smoked pot when I was younger, I can tell you for a certainty that alcohol is more dangerous then pot when it comes to public safety. Even more so when it comes to danger to innocent parties like drinking or smoking dope while driving. I don't want either person on the road with my wife, kids or grandkids but a drunk driver is more dangerous than a person who just smoked a doobie. Anyway, I'm done now.

 

[Budnicks]

IMO there's a lot more people that have an addiction
or it's a really bad habit of smoking Pot daily, compulsion or
obsessive behavior, that don't think it's a problem...

Much like the guy who drinks too much & doesn't admit
they have a problem with alcohol...

IMO it's no different

I actually voted for the legalization for many of the same
reasons other FBBO members have sited above to...

I was a product of the 70's too,
class of 77',
I don't hardly drink & I don't smoke anything anymore...
I haven't for a couple decades...
Work family Racing etc. all swayed my thinking...
I did over drink, I grew out of the smoke & having to get stupid drunk faze...
Some people never do... GROW UP
I was more of a social smoker, parties & gatherings etc.

I know a few people that can't go without it too...
They would spend all day trying to find some if need be,
people that'd "jones" over not having POT, much like someone "Jones"
over not having a chew {chewing tobacco is the worst to try & quit}
ciggs or booze, just maybe a slightly less level of "jonesing"...
Some would spend their last dime in the world, just to buy POT...

I've seen it 1st hand people are addicted to POT
& don't or won't admit they have a problem...
The same people are pretty compulsive types too...
Maybe there's a correlation to that part, I don't know...

But the fact it's more acceptable & more children will be users,
many will be chronic addicted users, lazy do nothings stereotypes
unfortunately all because it's more of the norm & accepted much
more by society, everyone else is doing it mentality...
Sheeple Mentality/Followers...
IMO that is the real regret...

I just think it was pretty much the same or a lessor evil than alcohol
or tobacco etc., in many cases...
I think the tax revenue is a good thing too...
You can't beat em' Tax em'...
Capitalists will profit off it, free markets will thrive...
Get people out of the shadows...
Less people that are casual users, not be jailed...

I'm still torn, but I'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise...
I do know what I speak of 1st hand...

 

[Paul_G]

At this point in my life back problems have become a real issue. I havent worked in weeks. Doing the spinal injections routine, stretching every day, all that.

Friends and family have suggested to try pot. I am very reluctant. I do not want to be the person I used to be 40 years ago.

 

[the mississippi madman]

 

[Cranky]

People are different like night and day. I did pot, hashish, quays, acid, speed, mushroom tea......oh man, but didn't get addicted to any of it and haven't done any of it since the 70's but booze is another story. I drink much much less than I did several years ago but still drink too much imo. Never did smoke cigs since they really mess up my sinuses and so does pot. Found that out about 2 years ago when a buddy come over with some and took a hit. Even 2nd hand smoke from either messes up my sinuses. Booze also makes my sinuses go kinda nuts but not like pot and cigs. Used to smoke a cigar from time to time but even that has been out for the last several years. Oh well.

 

[rlem1977]

as long as our government can profit from addictions like mj, alcohol and gambling with the monopolies it controls...it's all good I guess right?

MJ, alcohol, gambling, etc. in and of themselves are not addictions, they are vices, pleasures, entertainment. True, some people do not have self-control, or just have an addictive nature, and suffer with an addiction to whatever. Hell, some people are addicted to food - just look around, and around, others to pain killers, cigarettes, SEX.

My objection to legalizing marijuana has always been the equal enforcement for being under the influence. There were tests for booze, but not for pot. Now there seems to be tests forthcoming so potheads are on equal footing with drinkers when it comes to workplace fitness for duty and driving shitty.

I never could tolerate smoking, anything, even though I like cigs. Make me hack like I'm reading an Iranian phonebook. I like drinking, a lot. Never had an addiction issue. Now, like Cranky, I've cut back on that. I don't care what people do as long as it doesn't affect others.

 

[towtruckAl]

dont know if anyone wants to hear this but I spent a year as a addictions counsler in a mental hospital they had taught me that all addictions alcohol or drug were a symptom of some form of mental illness , the inability to deal with life on lifes terms .I tryed mj in high school but we never did anything if smoking, a lot of talk but no action . for that reason I quit. the medical benifits of mj have been around a long time inpill or capsul form . anyway my calling was auto industry , and syayed there .

 

[mopar 3 B]

When I can legally grow it. Will smoking it maybe.

 

[1967coronet440]

Smoked the **** everyday for years, just quit out of the blue one day. Didn’t want to do it anymore.

 

[steve from staten island]

Did it when i was a kid, then i grew up. Really dont see the need to be under the influence. There is use for it on the medical end, so in that aspect it does do a lot of good for some.

 

[steve from staten island]

At this point in my life back problems have become a real issue. I havent worked in weeks. Doing the spinal injections routine, stretching every day, all that.

Friends and family have suggested to try pot. I am very reluctant. I do not want to be the person I used to be 40 years ago.

Talk to your doctor. It could help you sleep if thats a issue. The medical use of it has benefits although not for everybody. My wife has been dealing with cancer and everything that goes along with this dreaded disease. She tried the medical version as she has problems with sleep and it really did not make a huge difference but some people it does help. Good luck and feel better.

 

[Kern Dog]

I grew up despising the idiot stoner types in high school. The lazy attitude and casual demeanor annoyed me. Guess what...It still annoys me today just as much. Surfers, stoners.....Oddly, I really liked "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".
My Brother-In-Law, also known as the "Land Manatee" fits this type almost perfectly. He hurt his knee several years ago and rides the couch all day smoking pot and watching TV. Occasionally he cleans the house or does dishes since my Sister is the breadwinner now.
This fat **** had his testosterone level checked a few months ago....It was something low, double digits...I seem to recall 39 ??

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I smoked it a few times when I was with people who smoked it. I put me to sleep so much that everyone called my sleepy. I don't sleep well now so I would try it for sleep if Dr said to that is if I dont have to smoke it