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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 8, 2012 8:19:49 GMT -6
Good thing or bad thing?
On the one hand, like alcohol and cigarettes, which are also harmful to the body and others, it can be regulated, taxed and taken out of the hands of the people producing it illegally.
On the other hand, there are a lot of side effects that no one talks about or is ignorant of.
It is a natural depressant. People who smoke it are likely to lose 3% of their i.q. according to one study I heard on the news recently. There is no way to test the likelihood if it being in your body like you can alcohol from a police car. It messes with your senses and is causing you to make decisions similar to being drunk.
It also, since it's smoked like a cigarette, causes people nearby to get it in their system. It is illegal here, but we were in a decent apartment with no one doing anything illegal for the first year of our being in this apartment (except for the old man smoking cigarettes in passing in the common hallway outside our door, but that somehow didn't cause any issues). Then two new neighbors moved in at the same time and started smoking their habit in their bathrooms where we had common ductwork. My son was potty trained, day and night for 6 months at that point. I just got rid of the box of pullups we had left over. He was 3.5 at this point and all of a sudden he couldn't control his bladder anymore. He was a great breather, no problems, but then with the constant barrage of pot smoke through the ductwork, he is now an asthmatic and has been for the last 3 years because of someone else's decisions.
Obviously problems like my son's aren't brought up in statistics when talking about the pot issues because even my doctor didn't write it down in his list of issues. It can't be put into a statistic if it's not recognized as a cause.
IF it is going to be legal, then it needs a lot of legislation like cigarettes. It is more harmful than anyone knows because it's not talked about like alcohol or cigarettes. We shouldn't be exposed to someones else's habits if we choose not to.
Your thoughts on the "legalization" of pot? (It is still illegal on the federal level.)
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Post by lilmermaid on Nov 8, 2012 8:58:28 GMT -6
I was just going to say it's still illegal at the federal level. I think you should have put that up near the top.
I think even though it's legalized at the state level in some states it doesn't mean much right now. I think there is still so much that needs to be done before it would be fully legal everywhere. I choose not to worry about it until more is done!
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Post by cissy on Nov 8, 2012 9:09:47 GMT -6
It is hard to say that your chld has Asthma because of the pot smoke. Asthma can happen to anyone at anytime, a cold could have brought it on. Some kids get it becuase of there parents. Yes some get it if they are around smoke but how can you really say that it was just the pot smoke and not the cigarettes. If I had issue with smoke coming through a vent I would have put some cardboard and tape over it. We were in an apartment that had plenty of that happening it would seep through the door so we put a towel in the crack if we had the windows open it would go through there so we kept our windows closed. My kids did not get asthma becuase of it, the doctors told me my child would more likely get asthma because of his allergies and we have yet to see any sign of it.
I am not saying that yay pot is legal, nope dont' do it, don't think it is the greatest thing out there. The only plus that pot has is that it is not as harmful as the other drugs that are out there.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 8, 2012 9:29:45 GMT -6
Seems I'm being bashed here as well as on facebook.
Yes, it's still illegal federally. It was quite the coincidence that he reverted all at once two weeks after being constantly exposed to these pot smoking neighbors. I mean constantly! Even with open windows and the fan in the bathroom going constantly, it was still smelling in our apartment. The downstairs neighbor got arrested for it twice and didn't get kicked out and we just started to realize there was a second neighbor smoking it too before we moved. My son's doctor agrees with me that that was the trigger for all of his behaviors.
Just because no one know about consequences from the chemical (and yes, it's as much of a chemical as tobacco, imo), doesn't mean that they don't hold true.
Yes, maybe pot should be legal so that we can start to talk about the real consequences of using it. Then there needs to be a lot of legislation to make sure that the use of it does not harm others. There needs to be tests to prove sobriety on the spot for police to be able to arrest people driving under the influence, which I'm sure there are tests besides smelling the pot in the car.
You all heard me being exhausted about this when we decided to move. This was his trigger, it was obvious at the time. Some of you even wanted to help me with an air purifier!
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Post by jrose on Nov 8, 2012 9:34:35 GMT -6
I agree with Vic. I think alcohol is much much worse than pot. Honestly I don't think I have ever heard anything bad being caused by pot much like alcohol and cigarettes.
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 8, 2012 9:42:12 GMT -6
It's not spoken of because it's illegal and so the statistics aren't out there because who in their right mind says "Yes, I do drugs around my kid"?
Sure, there are many reasons to revert, even after 6 months fully trained and dry. It was one hell of a coincidence that two weeks into being constantly exposed that his system started to break down like that. Both the asthma (which the doctors took a year to diagnose) and the peeing started at the same time telling me that his body was reacting to something, possibly a combination of the things, but the constant pot smoking brought it over the edge, especially since the kids' bedroom was that near the bathroom and they were exposed the most. My daughter didn't react the same, she's fine, but my son has medical problems for life.
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Post by angel22 on Nov 8, 2012 9:42:28 GMT -6
I didn't read anything in this thread that could be construed as bashing you. I'm sorry that you feel that way. It is obviously a sensitive topic for you. However, just because others aren't agreeing with you doesnt' mean they are bashing you. We've known you for a long time, you're stronger than this. Don't take others opinions on this topic personally. (((HUGS)))
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Post by cakemakermom on Nov 8, 2012 9:46:11 GMT -6
Angel, I just don't like thinking that people think I'm an idiot and that my observations can't be true just because no one else saw the problem occur as it happened.
Sorry, I shouldn't be so sensitive over strangers on a national thread. I'm done reading the article I started replying to on facebook because I know they will be one sided and mean.
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Post by angel22 on Nov 8, 2012 10:03:11 GMT -6
Ah, I see. Yes, strangers online with annonimity can be heartless bastards. Look at what was said about me after having DD3 and what was said about Lynsee with S! Words definitely can be hurtful and those that are strangers seem to say things just to be mean. Here, however, we're all "friends" so try not to feel bashed, ok? =) I know that once you've been bashed anything "negative" feels bad but I know and you know that MoMs isn't like that!
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Post by doeeyedgirl on Nov 8, 2012 12:00:59 GMT -6
I have to say that I was unaware that this was actually on their ballots until yesterday when I heard the news that it had passed. I don't know much about the change within the states or how the federal laws change that, but I was surprised and not surprised all in the same. My instant thoughts went to how many stoners would be moving to these states and how many people would be driving across the borders to buy it! (Kind of like some do in MN on Sundays and drive to WI for their alcohol). My thought is that legal or not, people are going to do it. I really can't imagine that it would cause this major increase in the population that doesn't use it to a population that does. I do know that there are definite ways that you can tell if a person is high and the officer does have the right to take that person in to test that fact if they are driving recklessly. In fact you can still get a DUI, just like if you were using alcohol. MSN had this article today about it: money.msn.com/auto-insurance/article.aspx?post=cd7b7fba-edfe-44a3-9bc6-84785379cab0I can't imagine dealing with the stress and problems that you have had to due to being exposed to this drug, whether it is proven that this is the cause of the medical issues or not. That was your home and nobody should feel threatened or uncomfortable in their home. Strong advocates like you are the ones that keep these amendments from passing and keep our states from making these mistakes. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
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Post by sarahisis on Nov 8, 2012 12:40:54 GMT -6
I think it should stay illegal... for no perticular reason really. but I also think the age for buying and drinking alcohol should be raised, that the driving age should be raised, kids should have to wear seatbelts in school busses and that it should be illegal to use your cell phone while you are driving... most people don't agree.. I think there are always going to be those "hot issues" that will cause controversy. We just have to remember it's all a matter of opinion.
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Post by apryllraye87 on Nov 8, 2012 13:25:11 GMT -6
I've considered pot to be a 'gateway drug' (probably because I've always been told that) although I haven't researched it much personally. I just know a lot of people that started smoking pot and ended up getting into much worse. However, I've heard people say cigarettes are a gateway drug too and I've been a smoker for a long time and have never even had the desire to try anything else.
I do know that it kills brain cells. My ex from HS was/is a huge pothead and the kid is dumb.. I mean he doesn't even have any sort of common sense anymore. But he was the type that smoked several times a day, not just once in a while.
I guess I can see both sides, people are going to smoke it anyway, regardless of whether or not it is legal. Like Cyndy said I can't really see a huge population of people starting to smoke pot just because it becomes legal.
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Post by dara1012 on Nov 8, 2012 21:05:29 GMT -6
I am not sure how I feel about this....I have never done pot, I know my brother has done pot, but not on a regular basis and he is seriously the most book smart person I know (graduated with highest honors undergrad and MBA at UofM), but I also know that my cousin started doing pot at 14 and ended up in rehab at 16 and at 35 has had a drug problem (advanced beyond pot) for over 20 years now. so for some people it becomes a lifestyle that does lead to more significant addiction and for others it doesn't. I also know that when my aunt was dying of cancer marijuana was the only thing that eased her pain (and no it wasn't legal in her state, but this was the one time my cousin's drug problem helped someone in her family).
I hadn't heard about effects of 2nd hand pot smoke being so detrimental - but I am sorry that your DS developed such severe problems that seem related to the neighbors pot smoking Cake. I have had asthma since 7 and my grandparents smoked, their smoking definitely increased my attacks when we visited. Eventually though it didn't bother me as much.
I do think that criminalization of marijuana is a drain on our judicial system and so in that case I think that legalizing it, taxing it, regulating it and having definitions about driving with it, might not be a bad thing. I guess we'll see.
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Post by Samantha on Nov 8, 2012 21:33:31 GMT -6
I'm for it. Totally. I was a wild kid... in fact I was wild until I got pregnant with my daughter, thats when i stopped all sorts of bad behavior ( I do think its totally irresponsible for parents to be high or intoxicated, I rarely even drink) . In that time I was constantly surrounded by people smoking pot and drinking and I have seen one girl nearly die from alcohol poisoning (actually her heart did) and two kids in my high school were killed by drunk drivers. I have never seen someone get hurt or hurt someone else because they were high (drunk - yes). Legalizing pot would cut down crime and be less mouths to feed in prison, many people arrested for marijuana type crimes are small (and big but that usually more than pot) time dealers who gets enough for his friends, no violence or brutality welcome. The long term effects of pot are significantly less damaging than cigarettes and alcohol. Lastly, for people who want to smoke it, they need to buy it off the street, which means it can come from anyone and have be contaminated or laced with other drugs, making it dangerous, by legalizing it (at least in places like amsterdam) it will be produced with regulations and control making it even safer for people.
Overall, to reduce crime, reduce the amount of people in prison that we need to pay for with our taxes, and to legally regulate it and purify it... I say legalize pot. Of course it isn't good for you and it causes negative behavior but alcoholics are so much worse and are more dangerous imo. Its a mind altering substance and would need to be done responsibly and away from children and young people - just like alcohol. Second hand smoke... yeah it'll affect you if you're in a room with someone smoking in a room that has no ventilation. I know this because I've gone to parties where you could heavily smell it and people were passing it around and I didn't get high. but even in places like Amsterdam and Canada, you cannot smoke it on the street or in public places. Only in your home or in a "cafe".
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Post by bumblebee23 on Nov 9, 2012 17:31:44 GMT -6
I actually think they should legalize it. Almost everyone I know does or did smoke pot. Myself included. Now for me it was just something I did when I wasn't able to get my hands on alcohol and I don't like the affect it has on me. I know just like anything else everyone reacts to it differantly. I know people that do it because they have very demanding jobs and it helps the tension and pain in their bodies and allows them to relax.
I also think that anyone that has cancer or any kind of cronic pain should be allowed to smoke it without fear of being arrested. My neighbor broke his neck and was having such cronic pain he was on 5 differant kinds of narcotis and ended up having a sezure and had to be rushed to the hospital. I think narcotics like that are way harsher on a person then smoking a little pot once in awhile.
Pot has side affects and it will affect people differantly but so do those narcotics and other meds the Dr perscribes to you that ARE legal. I also think that with the huge defficit we have as a nation this could actually be very benefical. The states need new ways to generate revenue and if they started producing and selling pot themselves they could make a fortune and seriously reduce our debt. Not to mention keep some people out of jail and stop wasting tax payer money on putting them there.
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