Cannabis smoking 'permanently lowers IQ'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Many people have serious psychiatric problems resulting from marijuana usage. Using the "it didn't hurt me so it must be fine" argument just doesn't cut it.

Compared to alcohol, it is by far less harmful, doing less damage to the body, yet no one is suggesting we go back to outlawing alcohol consumption. I personally wouldn't smoke weed nor anything else because of the harm to the lungs, but considering the number of people who consume alcohol and cigarettes in this country legally, putting people behind bars for smoking marijuana is asinine.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Compared to alcohol, it is by far less harmful, doing less damage to the body, yet no one is suggesting we go back to outlawing alcohol consumption. I personally wouldn't smoke weed nor anything else because of the harm to the lungs, but considering the number of people who consume alcohol and cigarettes in this country legally, putting people behind bars for smoking marijuana is asinine.

kool-aid consumption certainly has done irreversible damage to the above poster. He actually believes what he posts.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

kool-aid consumption certainly has done irreversible damage to the above poster. He actually believes what he posts.

I see people in intensive care who are there because of their alcohol consumption - enchephalopathy being only one of the many consequences. And don't be fooled into thinking that drinking beer won't cause the same problems. Alcohol in the blood stream is alcohol. It's the volume that will kill you.

Hepatic Encephalopathy—A Serious Complication of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol’s harmful effects on liver cells not only interfere not only with the normal functioning of the liver but also impact distant organs, including the brain. Prolonged liver dysfunction resulting from excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Patients with HE suffer from sleep disturbances, changes of mood and personality, severe cognitive effects (e.g., a shortened attention span), psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as motor disturbances, including motor incoordination and a type of flapping tremor of the hands called asterixis. In the most serious cases, the patients no longer respond to external stimuli and may fall into a coma (i.e., hepatic coma), which can be fatal.

Analyses of brain tissue of HE patients found characteristic changes in the structure of supporting cells known as astrocytes rather than obvious destruction of nerve cells (i.e., neurons). Astrocytes are large star–shaped cells, distributed throughout the brain, that help maintain the proper composition of the fluid surrounding the neurons. For example, astrocytes take up brain chemicals (i.e., neurotransmitters) that are released by neurons, and minerals such as potassium, which are generated and secreted during the brain’s energy metabolism. In addition, astrocytes eliminate some substances that are toxic to neurons (i.e., neurotoxic). The proper functioning of the astrocytes and their interactions with the neurons are essential to brain function. Patients with HE frequently have pairs and triplets of abnormal astrocytes with a characteristic structure known as Alzheimer type II astrocytosis, in which the astrocytes’ nuclei are enlarged and glassy–looking. This glassy appearance is caused by the fact that the DNA and its associated proteins are confined to the edges of the nuclei, rather than distributed throughout them. Alzheimer type II astrocytes also exhibit other physiological and functional abnormalities.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-2/143-145.htm

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I see people in intensive care who are there because of their alcohol consumption - enchephalopathy being only one of the many consequences. And don't be fooled into thinking that drinking beer won't cause the same problems. Alcohol in the blood stream is alcohol. It's the volume that will kill you.

So can you describe what causes one to blindly follow another off a cliff?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So can you describe what causes one to blindly follow another off a cliff?

As a former roadie, you should know firsthand the consequences of substance abuse. No one is ever brought to the ER because of marijuana overdose.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Alcohol in the blood stream is alcohol.

And sugar is sugar.

[X Factor 1,112]

So can you describe what causes one to blindly follow another off a cliff?

Definitely explains Prince Harrys lack of common sense

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

As a former roadie, you should know firsthand the consequences of substance abuse. No one is ever brought to the ER because of marijuana overdose.

Yes I have seen pics of you and the damage double 1/4 pounders will do. Maybe some diet koolaid?

[X Factor 1,112]

It's called dope for a reason

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It's called dope for a reason

Because it can harden the wings on your model airplane?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Yes I have seen pics of you and the damage double 1/4 pounders will do. Maybe some diet koolaid?

Stop picking on Steven.

[X Factor 1,112]

Forget the effect on the IQ. Focus on the lung cancer, emphysema and cardiovascular disease

[웃 910]

Forget the effect on the IQ. Focus on the lung cancer, emphysema and cardiovascular disease

Not everyone smokes weed like they do cigarettes. You know this right, it is common knowledge.

Not everyone does it like this:

Edited August 30, 2012 by ☠

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Yes, this is so much healthier than tobacco....

[웃 910]

Now they have vaporizers. You take one puff and you will not even know you hit anything (but still get high as a kite).

Or edibles.

Or pills.

Or e-vaporizers laced with wax. "These electronic joints vaporize cartridges filled with wax. They include two vaporizing units, one charger, and two pre-filled cartridges. Re-fill cartridges are also available. Also available in a variety of colors."

Edited August 30, 2012 by ☠