What Parents Need to Know About Pot

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"Pot packs a bigger wallop now than it did in the '70s. Today's leaves are up to five times as potent. So, says Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse"
that's a big load oh Hooha, i still smoke, and always have since my first hit back in 1978. if anything, the strains we have now (even white widow) arent comparable to the Acapulco Gold we were toking on back then. and the "leaves" arent what you smoke, it's the flower's of the plants. i let my kids know what really happens, not the government, nothing has changed since 1930 in the government's eye's. even though everyone else knows it.

John of OH 9:29PM December 19, 2010

Not a serious enough issue to impose law. The worst thing I can possibly think could happen is you smoke an eighth, and fall asleep for four hours, and your perfectly crisp refreshing deeelicious Mountain Dew goes flat. Seriously spend your tax dollars wisely and pass laws that protect people from heroin and meth and protect the abused spouses of the people who use them. Christ we've got people losing their minds, middle-aged women pulling their hair out because God forbid Johnny eats an entire box of Little Debbie's and falls asleep on the couch. Words from a proud teenage smoker who reads books, buys smart, and gets the facts before trying something stupid. 6 years into daily chronic use and no slip in grades, coherence, or motivation. One of these days a very powerful, but very lost and misinformed country will get it straight. Enjoy your lives.

Elijah of WA 7:20PM July 21, 2010

I have been doing a Psych paper about drugs and chose Marijuana because I thought I would have info to shove in the faces of family members who smoke! Well, I cannot find any with references. You do not have any references of research. Just some people's names I do not know and remarks about how research has proved.
The one that really got me was the one about how the plant is so much more powerful now than in the past. The one about how it is just as bad or worse than tobacco. The other articles blow your information away with solid research.
I have an alcoholic relative, a relative who has gone through two bouts of cancer due to tobacco usage. Yet, those I know who have smoked week have nothing but weight problems as do many people their age me included and I do not smoke weed.
Beef up your article with proof or take it off the web.

paula of WI 11:27PM January 17, 2010

"Gee, I smoked a lot of marijuana, and I'm not perfect".
What is that supposed to prove?
Let those who find benefit use it. Leave us alone with our choices. This is a mild choice at worst.
If we grow it ourselves, it has zero impact on our environment. Quit trying to control people you don't even know by your useless baseless opinions.
Giving it to abused spouses of alcoholics is a good idea. Really. They'll get inspired to leave.

David Mc of MI 12:18AM September 30, 2009

Is that it is EVERYWHERE AROUND THEIR KIDS ALWAYS. Always being pushed into their peer group or always present at any seemingly fun occasion... I am a teenager and I just want to say Parents: It is bad. TALK TO US ABOUT IT. my parents never did... it was always on the lower key of communicative roles. We need you to step up and talk to us about marijuana, our problems, school, boys, whatever... We need you.

Katie of CA 1:58PM September 16, 2009

Wives of alcoholics should have a presciption for pot! What does that tell you? I dont think smoking pot is nearly as harmful as having that after work drink or a nightcap or 2 or 3! There are always going to be those who abuse pot just as any other substance can be abused But there are more of us that don't. Sometimes I think that the goverment hasn't legalised it yet is because they can't figure out how to tax it.

Melinda Hable of KY 5:26PM September 11, 2009

I read some of the comments, both anti and pro on the subject of marijuana use. I honestly think pot can be good (as good as any other drug prescribed for any specific ailment, whether physical or mental/emotional)but the side affects of THC are undeniable. It does affect memory, concentration etc. But in some situations, such as people suffering from ADHD (my husband is one of them) it may well be beneficial. The other side of this issue, the negative sffects of THC on the mind and brain, I can tell you first-hand, are very real. I do believe marijuana has affected me in a very negative way, that is I suffer from OCD and major depression. You can say that marijuana did not cause these illnesses, and I am in agreement to that. but I believe using pot has had a detrimental affect on an already compromised psyche, and has worsened the condition considerably. One thing my psychotherapist related to me is how pot can suddenly bring to the surface supressed memories at a time when a person is mentally uncapable of coping with them. I have had this very experience, and it has caused me to go deeper into depression. I just don't think that marijuana's "good" outweighs the potential it has for bad, especially considering it is still illegal. Maybe it should be legalized, as a way to (somewhat) control it's use.

donna of IN 11:22AM August 27, 2009

I've smoked now for 35 years, most of that daily, and depression, bipolar disorders have occurred in my family. Whether because of or in spite of, I think I've achieved well so far in my lifetime. A couple of years ago, I underwent testing for ADHD. I've had the symptoms since at least age 7 and just wanted to have that confirmed. while I did show deficits in some areas, my memory and thought process showed me to be functioning in the superior range in word and math facility. So if pot has in fact harmed my brain, how much better do I need to be functioning? I also went for counseling therapy for several years and have been able to overcome depression and anxiety without any prescription medication.
If I can keep a job, a home and all the bills that go with it, how bad can pot be?

fireweed of MI 3:33PM May 17, 2009

I am a nineteen year old from London, England and i love to smoke pot. We were born with the power of thought and intellect, how dare anyone lecture us on what is ok to do and not to do? We can rationalise this ourselves as individuals. Smoking pot is my choice, no-one else's. We should be free to pass a spliff and enjoy it together without being made to feel like bad people. I smoke and I drink. I know it's not healthy for me but I have fun, i work and, although I occasionally behave out of the ordianry, am a generally tip top person.
The debate regarding long term mental helath in marijuanna users is hazy, information being classed as fact by some and fiction by others. Carry on researching and finding out more about the drug. Whatever is found will, i doubt, make me give up the peacefullness of smoking a joint and giggling with your mates.
Live, Laugh, Love and be FREE.

sinead doyle 5:55AM May 12, 2009

People oppose a lot of things, but when someone wants to use marijuana, why stop them.
Let people live there lives and if they want to use drugs its their choice.
Marijuana is harmless whether people like it or not.
Some people don't know because they've never tried it.
Spread the word pot is good.
Oh yeah there is no god!

Justin Trentadue of WI 9:41AM May 11, 2009