BETHESDA, Md., March 2 (UPI) — U.S. researchers said cannabinoids — psychoactive compounds of marijuana — can be detected in the blood of daily pot smokers during a month of abstinence.
Dr. Marylin Huestis of the National Institutes of Health said the study involved 30 male daily marijuana smokers who temporarily lived in a secure research unit for up to 33 days. Their blood was collected daily. She said 27-of-30 participants were delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC positive on admission. THC is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
The THC decreased gradually with only 1-of-11 participants negative at 26 days; while 2 of 5 remained THC-positive for 30 days, Huestis said.
“These data have never been obtained previously due to the cost and difficulty of studying chronic daily cannabis smoking over an extended period,” Huestis said in a statement. “These data add critical information to the debate about the toxicity of chronic daily cannabis smoking.”
The findings were published online in Clinical Chemistry.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
Uncle Buck and LVS I enjoy your attempt to try to reason with a burn out like brick for brains. I sure hope he is one of the pot heads I had the extreme pleasure of firing but that would be assuming he ever had the ambition to put the pot down long enough to work. Even time spent scraping dog crap off your shoe would be more productive than his entire day.
I don’t use cannabis and You’d appreciate that fact more if you knew the liability issues with falsely accusing someone of committing a crime. Trust me.
And I’m out of high school and educated, so I would never work on a line in a factory with some retarded redneck as my supervisor.
Also not a republican or democrat for those of you that think all older people are against legalizing pot. My statement on buying cars houses and land is correct. The most fun I have is giving my time and money to juveniles , handicap and the homeless people, now that’s a real high.
That’s funny, you just said you get high off money because you’re filthy freaking rich in the previous post. Now it sounds like you attempt to qualify it in this post. It appears you can’t even tell the truth and by the way, I retired younger than you did.
Good for you on your rtetirement,and the reason i had to clarify is everyone seems to think only so called liberal dems want it legalized. Second I stopped smoking and get a lot more satisfaction from helping people. Third I have no reason to lie, because I have worked at a facility that takes care of people. Volunteer at a place and see what drugs can do to people, crack cocaine babies to alcoholics , and mariujana that has been laced with things like battery acid, embalming fluid. Since Brick you seem to like all the studies , the latest one has stated at an early age addiction to pot lowers the I.Q. By 8points. That means it can take a person from average intelligence to low intelligence. This was a study preformed by an intellectual think tank, not the government . The brain of a person doesn’t stop developing until the age range of 24 to 28 years. The last thing to develop is fear. So the example is, ” I can drive drunk it won’t happen to me. “brickAdd something of value instead of committing on other people post since you have so much time.
@Uncle Buck-There is a big difference between retiring like you did and going on welfare like brick. Both means you don’t have to work but one gets paid for by you and me. If you believe anything brickforbrains tells you I have some seashore property here in Iowa I want to talk to you about.
UB, I’d like to be able to take the time to help educate you on this subject but you must understand how difficult it’s going to be when you ask questions like, “If 2+2 equals 5 then why does 3+4 equal 9?”
First we must establish that 2+2 does NOT equal 5 and you’re simply not there yet.
Changing your name to FRIED BRAINS.
The way you phrase your sentences sounds like you must have done some heavy stuff.
Also cannabis is not cocaine. Big difference. Claiming it is as dangerous or has same effects is like saying aspirin is morphine. No one is advocating cocaine. You’re one of those typical narrow minded that claim your assumptions as fact. No wonder you’re confused and angry. Your samples are samples of those who use cannabis for a crutch. Just as alcoholics do. Do you judge everything and everybody by the worst of the lot? Why don’t you wear that shoe of false accusations awhile. I think it fits you better.
To all of you writing are about their degrees, I am sure we can come up with examples of people who have done well and people who haven’t, who smoke pot. So this is my history on smoking, did smoke after getting first degree, then stopped after getting masters. After stopping i retired at 39. Is there any correlation ? Probably not so the amount of paper on the wall has no justification for or against pot. By the way I am filthy fu$kn rich! And haven’t smoked in a long time. Have more fun buying houses, cars and land.
You should have majored in Punctuation and Grammar instead “wghts. & measures.” With your success one could surmise the Hefty stock has risen immensly….
Katie
March 5, 2013 at 1:47 pm
@LVS: Yes, Danielle Rather’s brain is fried. Comes from years of tokin’. She thinks she’s seen a vision of the TRUTH while she was high, yet she doesn’t understand the concept of legal and illegal and responsible and irresponsible. She likes to put words in others’ mouths and attribute ideas to them and I’m done with her
Speaking of a fried brain…..or better yet. no brain unless some teabagger tells you how and what to think.
Y-O-U brought up the points I challenged you on. You’ve lost this discusion so now you want to try to shame me so you’ll feel more superior. Sorry little woman but your opinion of me means zilch. I’ve survived many many yrs. without your approval of my thoughts. I’ll make it from here. You continue on in phoney LALA LAND with your drunken peers. You can’t grasp the point so there’s no more use spelling it out for you. Unless a tea bagger does it for you.
The U.N. is telling the USA that pot legalization by states is in violation of U.S. treaties.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020487915_apcolegalizingmarijuanaun2ndldwritethru.html
What does that have to do with “effects” of cannibus vs.alcohol?
She doesn’t think. She repeats, reports, and regurgitates.
@Anymouthy-another really intelligent post by another IDIOT. Is that the best you can come up with? I know first graders that are smarter than you and that ignorant brick for brains.
You don’t understand Katie. let me explain. This is a Sara Palin tea bagger type that hates the UN! Here she is merely pointing out to cannabis defenders that the UN is against them so they should dislike the UN like Katie does.
Step back when you see Katie or LVS comment because when they post online it’s like kids scribbling with their crayons.
@brick for brains-you are a freaking IDIOT.
I hear ya. She reminds me of Nelly on Little House On The Prairie. She sticks out her tongue at people then whines when they fight back or give her a taste of her own medicine. She can dish it out but not take it.
She also has a stick up her **S
@Katie, you do realize that “mockery (calling me “Dan Rather”) is the sign a person feels they’re losing in making their point. Now give me your best excuse for using Dan as apposed to just “rather” as I shortened it to. thanx in advance.
Katie
March 5, 2013 at 1:08 pm
@Dan Rather: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/06/marijuana-more.html
Just one of many links talking about the increased potency of cannabis over the years. I spout facts from research, not what I want to believe.
Also, I’m sick of you accusing me of thinking alcoholism is OK.I have NEVER SAID THAT!!! I drink socially, responsibly, and legally.
Also, I have never said I was against medical cannabis, so quit saying that as well. You are a real piece of work. You need to quit tokin’ so you can keep your facts straight and your animosity under control.
I didn’t say you are “ok with alcoholism”. Show me where I did. In fact I never said any of the above.
You just psst because I called you on your points and you’re up against the wall.
Animosity? No I’m not upset. Except with people who keep spoon feeding lies to innocent kids by not telling them the entire truth about ALL drugs. Alcohol IS TOXIC to our bodies. I used to drink plenty. Tended bar for yrs. Then I woke up! You’re just using false research. The ones “in the know” are those with the experience of having smoked pot. They are proof that it’s a safe drug to use medicinaly & recreationaly. (of course they prob. shouldn’t drive high. duh.)What part of that can’t you grasp? Don’t smoke if you choose not to. But don’t preach horrors of pot while sipping toxic drug.
The strength? Moot point for arguing. There’s a limit to how high you can get no matter the strength. There is no “stronger pot much higher high”. Better high maybe but not stronger. You can smoke 3 joints and never get any higher than the 1st few puffs. Did you know that? Didn’t think so.
It’s YOU who doesn’t want to hear the truth. It doesn’t fit your agenda. Obviously booze has destroyed your brain cells and you are getting nasty and defensive. I was trying to have a discusion and asking you to prove your points. Feel free to drop out of the discusion. You’re not forced to give your 2 cents here.
I just worry that if legalized what is the government going to about drug testing in the work place. It is a concern that the school bus driver could be drunk or high. The other question I have is what will the drug dealers do for income. It would be hard to believe that they will get a nine to five job. So where will criminal activity move? Will pot be taxed like cigarettes, where the government taxes take most of the money from the sale, and the company gets around a dollar a pack.What age should be legal to buy pot? Should the pot be watered down, to be a bit healthier . Does the government let the big companies manufacture the joints, so they have a more hands on accountability for the money. They will look at this like moonshine , it will not be grown at home, not taxed no way they will not allow that. Just a few questions for thought that politicians wil and have thought about.
UB, if you really want answers to your questions, it’s best to ask them one at a time since many of your questions are filled with false assumptions. We need to take these one at a time and so you can be educated along the way and as you learn more your questions will improve.
The old school generation will never get it, it’s too late for them. We need to educate the children coming up on the truths of all drugs, not just Alcohol and pot, but the pills the Pharmaceuticals are pushing too. The old folks can’t admit they’ve bought into a bogus lie and have helped spread that lie over the last 50 years or so. They would just look stupid if they changed their view now, right?! Its hard to argue with uneducated, naive old folks. I can see being old doesn’t necessarily equate to being full of wisdom.
@BLULS2-have you tried old age yet? If not you really do not know what it is like do you?
Problem is the propaganda has been handed down generation to generation. And little do some elders know is that their grandchildren know the truth. But it’s the elders that vote in their puppets while the young ignors governmental issues and leaves the decisions up to others.
@LVS, I am old enough to know better than to believe the shit the government tells me. I know how to think for myself. That is more than you can say!
All this will be a non-issue in twenty years when all the Reefer madness clowns/old folks die. It’s already in motion.
Ever notice they don’t test for alcohol use on the job… I’ve known many people who drink a 6 pk before work. They’ll probably still test.
Drug dealers would probably still sell it. Legally and pay tax on the sales. Saving taxpayers money they now have to spend to feed a pot smoker in prison while pedophiles roam free. More money would then go into the kitty.
Legalizing pot removes the “criminal element”. Much like legalizing alcohol did.
Legal age to buy? I’d say 18 since that’s considered “adult” and if they can legaly get married, sign contracts and risk their life to fight wars they should be considered old enough to make decisions on recreational drug use.
Watered down to be healthy? That’s funny LOL!
Big companies? They would be called “Big Farmers” or more appropriately “Corporate Farmers. Probably paying big taxes but with big tax breaks.(that answers your tax question 2)
Bottom line is “the war on drugs” is not working. I’m not for using meth ,coke or other seriously harmful drugs. But pot has proven to be the least harmful (if at all…) of any of the list. The majority of citizens know the truth about it but those in power are still paying homage to those who THINK they know and are the voters. Those who want it legalized need to VOTE.
“Legalizing pot removes the “criminal element”. Much like legalizing alcohol did. ”
Uhhh. . .California’s little foray into “Medical Marijuana” has shown a different result.
@joao, it’s not legal in the same way alcohol is. In Calif. you can’t just walk into all groc.stores/estabs. and buy it like you do booze. And it’s still Federally illegal. People can still be arrested for possessing/selling. There would be no need for cartels to exist if it was totally legal.
There might still be those wanting to skirt taxes. But some at all levels of life try that. That’s why there’s Federal prisons.
Some pain legal meds are used recreationally and there’s a criminal element in that. So should we outlaw Oxy and other pain meds because some abuse it? Making laws due to that makes no sense and wouldn’t be fair to those using any drug responsibly. Why should they pay the price for others lack of control.
@rather, Yep not legal like alcohol. However you can walk into the “doctor’s” office next door, get your scipt and legally buy your home grown medicine next door. The increase in criminal activity has nothing to do with the sale or consumption/use of the marijuana. The increase in criminal activity has everything to do with getting the money to buy, whether legal(state) or illeag (fed).
I have nothing against the MEDICAL use of marijuana, however as California has shown that will be abused. I would like to see it controled as any other medicine.
Recreational use I am iffy on, I mean we have done sooooooo well with alochol.
@joao, gettingit Fedeeraly legal would change the picture of things immensly.
I’ve done both. The 8yrs. I drank destroyed my mind, body and soul way more than any of the yrs. I smoked pot. Pot is really more of a body buz than a mental high as those apposed think. People can drink if they choose to but it’s a slow body killer. The effects are obviouis to all except the drinkers themselves. I’ve yet to see the documentation of damage pot does that alcohol does. And I know people who never drink but smoke. They are much healthier than even the occaisional social drinker is.
The pot now is about 10 percent stronger, the government would water it down. They went after cigarettes and changed some ingredients. The alcohol is detected by the smell, and I have worked at places where people have lost jobs because of booze. I have worked after retiring at 39 with children that have been killed or have killed someone over pot. So I lean a lot toward legalizing it. But know one has answered what will the dealers do for their money if its legalized?
” It is a concern that the school bus driver could be drunk or high.”
That is a huge concern not just for school bus drivers, but everyone in the transportation industry. Current laws prohibit illegal drugs in your system. Imagine a buzzed pilot at 40,000 feet. Or a semi-driver buzzed out on the Interstate.
What about employers who demand a safe work environment? Would they be forced by law to hire drugheads?
@LVS & Katie-I guarantee you that both of you know someone who you respect & think is a great person that smokes pot. There are tens of thousands of everyday people that you would never suspect of smoking pot that do. How do I know this?? I am one of those people. 95% of the people I come in contact with would be shocked to know I smoke pot. Why? Because your vision of a pot smoker is a homeless man who cannot have a normal life. You are both very ignorant on this subject. Alcohol causes more problems in people day to day life then pot ever will. I know nothing I say here will change your views but just thought I would try. I am assuming you are both from a generation that thinks Alcohol is safe but pot is not & I can understand that. But neither of you know what you are talking about on this subject. I know the bottom line is that pot is illegal & Alcohol is not & that is the only reason I do not come out publicly that I smoke…..& as I said before there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of people just like me.
Do you know what LVS and Katie? It’s possible you’ve been perhaps communicating with people who have used cannabis every day for 25 years, you never know.
@brick-I had a young fellow that was a supervisor for me and a damn good one. He hurt himself at work one day and had to go to the E.R. where there was a mandatory drug test. He tested positive for pot and I was forced to let him go. I fought with H.R. for a week but finally had to do it. This excellent bright supervisor lost his job because he was doing something illegal and that the insurance company wouldn’t cover. Over the years I have hidden several people that I knew were smokers because they were very good. Not all pot smokers are pot heads but all are breaking the law.
The law is an ass.
Just because something is Illegal doesn’t AUTOMATICALLY immoral. It used to be illegal for women to vote less than 100 years ago.
Good post. Many people don’t realize that the 1970’s hippy pot smokers are now a Dr., lawyer, businessman, Senators, Congressmen/woman and generaly good law abiding working taxpayers. And some still smoking pot with no effects on their business life.
@Viking: Don’t assume I think alcohol is safe. I don’t. I hate what alcohol does to families and individuals. I also do not think pot is a safe alternative for HEALTHY people to relax any more than I think Xanax is. What ever happened to a cup of tea?
I do not have an argument with medically necessary prescription cannabis. I see that the bill to legalize medical cannabis died in the Iowa legislature. I was actually disappointed in that. I would love for a magic cannabis pill that would kill my pain. The only problem with legalized medical cannabis is that everyone and his brother would claim to need it for medical problems that are bogus.
@Katie-I could sure use some of that pain relief myself. This weather is HELL on a Old Man.
If you don’t think it’s safe why do you drink it? And why approve of other’s having the right to decide for themselves whether or not to use alcohol (a toxic drug) recreationaly but not have the right to decide their use of pot which is NOT toxic nor physicaly addicted?
This was my point yesterday. Your view and actions are telling kids booze can be safe and ok to use (because it’s legal and you use it) but not pot. That is a wrong message to send to kids. People like you are steering your kids with falsehoods.
You don’t even know the effects of pot so what gives you the right to decide others abilities to smoke responsibly?
She watches and repeats (kinda) what is shown on fox news. That counts right?
@Katie-Can’t you see it does not matter how logical you are, Rather is going to find some way to disagree and try to discredit you. She is picking and choosing things from your post and then twisting them to her point of view. She is not interested in any kind of discussion but is bent on trying to put you down.
@LVS: Yes, Danielle Rather’s brain is fried. Comes from years of tokin’. She thinks she’s seen a vision of the TRUTH while she was high, yet she doesn’t understand the concept of legal and illegal and responsible and irresponsible. She likes to put words in others’ mouths and attribute ideas to them and I’m done with her.
I’m not going to comment on this subject, but can’t we all just get along…..
Not when you insist on throwing sick people in jail.
I really don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t have the power to throw anybody in jail. You seem to attack every comment I make, are you a boozer. If you are not, you have to be the most violent smoker in north iowa. Back in the good old days, the smokers were the peaceful ones, and the drinkers were the violent ones, have things changed that much. Chill out and take a couple ludes.
It’s time to rethink Iowa’s “zero tolerance” law for THC DUI. This research shows that the law lags far behind the science. No driver should be penalized by a urine test alone showing psychoactive metabolites if they can remain detectable for weeks. No driver at that point would be “under the influence” of THC.
Why would they rethink a law to allow people to consume illigal substances…..
Because the law criminalizes the mere presence of metabolites in a driver’s system. It bears no rational relationship between the harm sought to be prevented, the so-called “holocaust on our roads” (court’s words, not mine), and the act of smoking marijuana weeks ago. The legislature has intentionally left the state of the hook from proving the driver was under the influence of THC at the time she last operated a car. This study proves that the whole presumption underlying the state’s marijuana DUI laws, that the mere presence of metabolites mean impairment, is flawed, scientifically unsupported and likely results in wrongful convictions. If the state maintains this law, then the driver should be able to argue she was not under the influence of THC. Currently, this is not allowed.
They need to rethink the legality aspect period. Prohibition brought nothing but more crime, death and mayhem. Bootleggers were in bed with politicians etc.. Just as the marijuana laws have brought about Mexican cartels and costs taxpayers billions to chase and incarcerate a pot smoker while bank robbers and pedophiles and crooked politicians roam free.
It IS ridiculous especially when you consider that we can all drink and drive. .08 is BUZZED boy.
Good point. Someone could stop smoking on the 1st of the month and have an accident on the 15th and be convicted via a blood test.
I think that’s the intention. There is no logic, this is political.
@rather and brick-let me try to explain something to you without the emotion getting in the way. The insurance company’s are the ones who drive the type of laws that you want to do away with just like they drive every other law that restricts people’s rights. It’s about the MONEY and only the MONEY. They really don’t care about your health. That is only a meanes to a end. Unless you can get the government to change, and that will be a fight, because of the insurance lobby, you will continue to be illegal.
Matt Rezab
March 4, 2013 at 6:31 pm
If you want/need to smoke weed because you’re sick, fine. If you want to smoke weed to get high, fine. Just please stop pretending that weed is some miracle drug that cures almost everything and is good for you. Not every stoner is a loser, not every “straight” person is an angel. Quit pretending this is a black and white issue. Grey areas exist everywhere.
Who is saying it’s a “miracle dtug”? Most are telling the lieing fabricating Reefer Madness people that every pot smoker isn’t a lazy pothead and that it can be used for health issues or responsible recreational use. Who’s bragging about how “perfect” it is? You’re skewing people’s words.
Total comments on Branstad’s health care article-1
Total comments about weed in blood after 30 days-80
Priorities are a funny thing.
It’s because cannabis is health care. Health care that works.
If you want/need to smoke weed because you’re sick, fine. If you want to smoke weed to get high, fine. Just please stop pretending that weed is some miracle drug that cures almost everything and is good for you. Not every stoner is a loser, not every “straight” person is an angel. Quit pretending this is a black and white issue. Grey areas exist everywhere.
Priorities don’t have anything to do with either discusiion. We just already know Branstad’s a buffoon and really aren’t interested today in hearing how he wants to screw up healthcare for poor Iowans. He just wants to make people think he cares.
Katie
March 4, 2013 at 12:07 pm
And pot heads will believe whatever they want to justified their habits. It’s called hedonism
HEY Katie said “justified” instead of the correct word “justify”. Somebody call the grammar police!
How do you justify your “habits”?
Let me guess…..you drink because you like the “flavor”.
I write and rewrite my posts to say what I want how I want it to sound. I missed changing a verb tense. My bad.
I don’t drink to excess. I drink socially and that’s it. If I have two drinks once or twice a month, that’s it. Yes, I do like some of the drinks’ flavors. And I like hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps in it when I have a sore throat, thank you very much. It’s much more palatable than the straight shot of Four Roses that my dad used to give me as a kid when I had a sore throat.
Katie
March 4, 2013 at 12:55 pm
@Lebowski: I watched the video and I’m very happy for these families. I have no objection to prescription cannabis, especially the kind where the psychoactivity has been removed. Too bad for all the pot heads, huh. I have no objection to morphine, either, but heroin is a different matter! Don’t you people understand? If marijuana becomes legal, the next generation will want meth legal, then crack, then LSD, then whatever the next horror drug is. A society cannot function on drugs. That’s why they took the cocaine out of Coca Cola and old-time OTC pain killers. We’re starting to win the war on tobacco and now people want to mess their lungs up with cannabis, which is way more potent than it was 50 years ago.
You don’t even smoke pot so hoiw would you know it’s potency? Rumor perhaps? But yet you think it’s ok for people to consume a lethal toxic DRUG such as alcohol for recreation wow….. You’ll ok a narcotic for pain but will deny free thinking adults the choice of consuming a non narcotic, non lethal, non addictive drug simply because you “think” future nonexistant people will want to legalize other drugs. wow again.
You take the cake. You are Queen of the Reefer Madness people.
@Dan Rather: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/06/marijuana-more.html
Just one of many links talking about the increased potency of cannabis over the years. I spout facts from research, not what I want to believe.
Also, I’m sick of you accusing me of thinking alcoholism is OK.I have NEVER SAID THAT!!! I drink socially, responsibly, and legally.
Also, I have never said I was against medical cannabis, so quit saying that as well. You are a real piece of work. You need to quit tokin’ so you can keep your facts straight and your animosity under control.
Anonymous
March 4, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Also referred to as being a Republican.
LOL! a.k.a Tea Bagger
Katie
March 4, 2013 at 12:07 pm
And pot heads will believe whatever they want to justified their habits. It’s called hedonism.
Do you currently drink alcohol? Are you saying ALL who smoke pot can’t control their smoking? What makes you the picture of perfection sipping that martini? What you practice is called hypocrisy holier than thou.
LVS
March 4, 2013 at 2:39 pm
@Katie-I also was in Manufacturing Management for many years until retirement. I have seen the results of alcohol and drugs in the workplace and the damage it has done both in dollars and in health. Yes, if people use drugs in moderation it is not any worse than alcohol. Unfortunately, drug use is easier to hide and people tend to think they must use them during breaks and before work causing all kinds of issues and cost to employers. Alcohol when used properly is legal, pot is not. It is a very simple concept. They can call me all the names they want but the truth is the truth
People insult you ONLY AFTER you insult them. GET IT YET?!
It’s pot being discussed. Not ALL drugs. K? I have NEVER seen any reports nor heard of anyone who smokes pot ONLY that was a risk at work or who suffered long term health problems. You’re the type that ASSUMES ALL pot smokers use ALL drugs. False. MANY pot smokers don’t even drink if rarely and never tiouch goke or meth. I know of boozers and meth addicts that cause problems at work and home and cost taxpayers lots of money because they pay the addicted’s medical bills and SSI/SSD.
But I know of NO ONE who has health problems or mental issues due to pot use.
And no one is promoting use of anything at work. But all you Reefer Madness people keep bringing it up. People who use any drug while working have “emotional iussues” and need treatment. But it’s NOT the pots fault. Like I said “addiction” is an “effect” not a “cause.” Once perople get that through their thick skulls…..they can break any addiction or bad habit. It’s called “personal responsibility.” So stop blaming the object.
@rather-no one has a mental problem? What do you call what you have. Look at what you have been posting all day and then say that again.
@Katie – That’s right. Blame the “less than perfect twin”. I’ve heard that excuse a million times. I think it was just your dark side coming out, the one you usually keep well hidden. Nice to see someone here who has a sense of humor. And you’re right. You do get slammed here a lot. Maybe you just don’t play well with others. I sure wouldn’t let it bother you a whole lot. Take care, and have a great day.
@Citizen: I usually play well with others as long as they can discuss issues intelligently. Haven’t you noticed that on here that if you don’t agree with others, whether you do it respectfully or not, you get trashed and called all kinds of names? People have no idea what my areas of expertise and experience are and I’m not about to tell them. They can call me all kinds of stupid names. Mostly it just makes me laugh.
I have never tried marijuana in my life. When I was in Viet Nam, my drug of choice was alcohol. The smokers didn’t hassle me because I drank, and I didn’t hassle them because they smoked. I am 64 years old and see no reason to change now. But I do find it interesting that so many people have such strong feelings about this subject. And Katie, I was surprised at your “know” slam at ds. It just didn’t seem like something you would do. Not judging, just mentioning.
I got a real charge out of the joke anonymous made about ds keeping his stash in a hollowed-out dictionary and I just couldn’t resist the comeback. I have this wicked sense of humor that I have a difficult time suppressing at times. Sorry it was perceived as a slam. People sure don’t have a problem slamming me. I’ll have to put my less than perfect twin back in the trunk.
Well said citizen
FROM NIT STAFF: Clean up your comments or you will be banned from this site.
Tens of thousands of people die from pot every year! Many folks may not know that our very own Prairie Ridge Treatment Center has apparently conducted ground breaking research into this issue. Let me explain. They have determined that a certain percentage of drinkers out of a total die every year from accidents and .incoordination mishaps. Therefore they have extrapolated that the same number of cannabis users die every year for the same reasons. This translates into literally tens of thousands of deaths from cannabis every year! I’m sure Praia Ridge would be glad to show you their research if asked.
LVS when I was a manufacturing manager nothing made me happier than catching these pot heads and escorting them out the door. They had no idea how their being high could injure or kill themselves or the people working around them.
Finally someone else with experience with cannabis-impaired employees has spoken up on here.
@Katie-I also was in Manufacturing Management for many years until retirement. I have seen the results of alcohol and drugs in the workplace and the damage it has done both in dollars and in health. Yes, if people use drugs in moderation it is not any worse than alcohol. Unfortunately, drug use is easier to hide and people tend to think they must use them during breaks and before work causing all kinds of issues and cost to employers. Alcohol when used properly is legal, pot is not. It is a very simple concept. They can call me all the names they want but the truth is the truth.
Working impaired via any substance is not being condoned here. Moot point.
lol! You are so naive yet think you’re “in the know. Little do you know that the pot smoker was less of a risk than the guy who drinks a 6 pk before he goes to work or is still shakey from his wknd binge. Yet you choose to pick on the pot smoker who will cost you less in the long run. Your binger will ring up lots of medical bills that YOU & other taxpayers will be paying for. Including SSI/SSD monthly funds they will get when they decide they’d rather stay home & get drunk than get treatment and work. Thanks to your skewed sense of who’s a better risk.
I’d hire a pot smoker before I’d hire a juicer. At least the pot smoker won’t cost me money. And sorry to burst your “I think I know it all” bubble…..but pot smokers CAN work just fine. Being “high” isn’t being in left field like when you’re intoxicated. Get educated and stop enabling drunks to suck odd the taxpayers trough.
Addiction to anything is not a “cause.” It’s an “effect”. So those who steal and are smokers don’t do it because of the pot. They do it because they are thieves who happen to smoke pot.
And pot is not Meth. That’s an entirely different drug and matter with harmful effects.
LVS
March 4, 2013 at 12:46 pm
@rather-you damn right I have a reason for my feeling towards you pot smoking, brain dead thiefs. You steal everything that isn’t nailed down, You destroy work places by running bad parts or busting up equipment. You miss work at every given opportunity. You cost thousands in medical care because you can’t hold a job and have no insurance, there are thousand of illegal children out there because you are to damn stoned to put on a rubber. You have destroyed neighborhoods with your damn pit bulls and stealing to the point decent people can’t even sit it their yards. You are a dredge on society in every way shape and form and most of all you are criminals. And you want to sit there and call me names you P.O.S.? Get off it and get sober for once in your miserable lives
Don’t be referencing ME in your rant! I DON’T steal, DON”T own a pit and I’m NOT a gangbanger. I’m a 65 yr. old female with grown children she raised herself because her old man chose BOOZE over family. K? I don’t label nor condem ALL who drink like you condem ALL pot smokers. You’re just a narrow minded ASSHOLE.
Like I said and this proves my point…you are labeling and judging EVERY pot smoker. Shows you don’t know squawt about it. So what’s worse to you? A pot smoker that steals your lawnmower or a drunk driver that kills your wife,grandchild or you?
I can get another lawnmoweer but I can’t replace family members.
I’m betting you were a big time boozer. You have that attitude.
@rather-if your are really 65 years old you should know better, but what you do in your own home is your business. What you do or say about me makes it my business and I don’t want you in my business, especially if your brain is all fogged up with pot. What makes you think anyone who has smoked pot and drives isn’t impaired and could kill your family as easily as one who is drunk on alcohol? That is why they call it driving under the influence. It is not just alcohol that makes you impaired you know? I have seen and worked with pot smokers and drug users in the workplace and seen the damage they do first hand. It is not a guess, it is a fact. It is easy to try to justify it when you are dealing with someone else’s money. There is no way you can justify the stealing that is done by these people. I see them every day casing the neighborhood and if you leave anything out they steal it. They have broken into my garage twice and stolen my tools. They stole the tank off my grill and stole the neighbor kids bikes. All to get money for their damn drugs.
I think most young people and many adults actually know the real facts regarding pot. It’s Reefer Madness and their children they’ve brainwashed that are still in the dark. They still believe Nancy’s “just say no” works.
No one here is promoting pot. We’re just saying it’s not “lethal nor addictive nor a gateway drug” and that not everybody becomes Doritos eating couch potatoes from smoking pot.
@Katie, of course we should teach our kids to handle problems without drugs. But there are still R&R times for ADULTS that can be enjoyed safely with other means than with alcohol. I wouldn’t encourage my kids to consume Mountain Dew (ugh that sugar caffeine loaded craps addictive)let alone pot or booze. I just want them to know the truth about the effects.
Iowans live in bubble. Actually the majority of Americans in ANY real poll have changed their minds on this issue.
Katie
March 4, 2013 at 12:29 pm
And just how do you think that I’m telling kids that alcohol is safer than pot?
You do it by going along with the crowd that claims pot “dangerous” and “addictive”. You claim by your own admision of drinking and approving drinking of alcohol that it “must be safe to do”. 2 cents says you also claim pot is a “gateway drug”. Another lie. Alcohol is the “gateway drug.” More kids try alcohol before they try pot or anything else. And many never move on to other drugs.
It’s your basic acceptence of alcohol’s place in society and preaching falsehoods RE pot that gives kids the wrong info. THAT is what’s dangerous. We should tell kids the TRUTH. Do you know what the truth is? Doesn’t sound like you do.
Baloney. Ask my daughter what our attitude toward alcohol was. We called the cops when she came home drunk from a public dance one night at age 16 and asked them to investigate how she had been served. They refused.
Don’t pretend to know me. I’m not proud of the fact I used to over-imbibe from time-to-time, but people change and can try to make a difference. My daughter doesn’t drink or smoke pot and is a fine woman.
Why I’m debating with you I don’t know. I think it’s my concern for kids to know the truth about the effects of drugs.( Pointing out the pros and cons is not advocating) My point that went over your head is that when people such as yourself accept that alcohol must be ok (for adults of course not children.) and in the next breath claiming pot is “addictive and does brain damage” (which sounds like you are saying) is giving kids a false sense that alcohol is a “safer” choice because it’s legal. Kids learn from their parents and when parents drink but preach against “the horrors of pot” they are lying to kids. Alcohol is NOT safer or a better choice.
I’m saying (repeating) that parents shouldn’t be passing on Reefer Madness lies to their kids.
Actually most high school kids know more about pot than their parents do.
I didn’t pass “reefer madness” on to anyone. Didn’t have to. Back then I was struggling with quitting smoking and my daughter hated the smoke. She saw how hard it was for me to quit and I did it mostly for my family and not for myself. I still crave nicotine and I dream about smoking nearly every night. I will never take another puff, but I can’t guarantee I won’t chew nicotine gum again if I find out I’m dying someday. That’s how powerful that addiction is.
Anti-pot and anti gays are of the same ilk. They claim to be experts on something they’ve never tried nor lived a life of a homosexual. But by golly they know all the reasons and effects. LMAO!
The only “ones in the know” would be those who have walked the walk.
Well, aren’t they experts? Sheriff Pals knows more than your doctor because his high school diploma rules. I say why not skip the middle man and go straight to Pals when you get sick.
@rather-you misunderstand-I am NOT anti pot. I am anti criminal. Make it legal, tax it, and control it. But get the drug heads off the street and out of the workplace. It is no different than alcohol, it must be controlled.
Wow-That is the smartest thing I have ever seen you post!!
LVS
March 4, 2013 at 11:51 am
@sicka-Wow-now I am hurt. Not surprised that you are a pot head, just hurt.
Why are you judging an entire group of people just because some with low self esteem and are already lazy choose to smoke. If we use your logic we could say ALL who drink are worthless violent drunks who kill with cars. But we don’t. We know some are thoughtful enough to kill themselves slowly.
What this article shows it that just because a person has THC metabolites in their blood, does not mean they are “high”. This is also one of the reasons there’s no such thing as quitting pot cold turkey because it leaves the body slowly.
If he would just light one up he just mihgt lighten up! 🙂
Ironically many of the people who could benefit most by it are against it. I guess it’s sort of a karma justice.
Katie
March 4, 2013 at 11:21 am
LMAO. It’s for sure the dictionary has “know” words in it.
That’s all ya got? One little grammar goof. whoooopeee. Are you saying you never make a grammar mistake Mrs. hoity toity? HA! LMAO!
Please do not take LVS’s comments too seriously. Not only does he bear false witness against others,he has made it clear that his approach to life is to make it difficult for those he does not like, which is a very long list. A sad and lonely man and misery loves company.
I concur. In fact, I’m going to go ahead and say a little weed would do him a world of good. It might take that nasty edge off.
Is LVS in a wheelchair? I think I may have read something eluding to it. If that’s the case I’ll go so far as to say it’s a crime he’s not using it.
Guys in chairs seem to respond better than anyone.
@sicka-Wow-now I am hurt. Not surprised that you are a pot head, just hurt.
Pot is NOT physicaly addictive. Alcohol is. Pot is NOT toxic. Alcohol is. Pot does NOT make you violent. Alcohol does. Pot does NOT cause you to drive down the wrong side of the road and kill people with your car. Alcohol does. You can still function normaly on pot. You CAN”T when drunk. Pot won’t make you pass out. Alcohol will. Pot won’t make you puke. Alcohol eats away at your liver and ages you. Pot doesn’t. Repeat!Alcohol is the MOST Toxic of ALL drugs. Alcohol can be FATAL! Pot can NOT be.
I’ve been sober for 37 yrs. Smoked pot on/off for 32 yrs. when I choose to. It’s great for relaxing after working while kicking back and listening to favorite music. I don’t have to fear that I’ll say or do something whacky or dangerous and NO hangover. A few hrs. later I’m straight again. Only side effect is hunger.
Anyone got a problem with what I do that’s YOUR problem. You’re probably a drunk that can’t let go of the liquar bottle because you’re ADDICTED. I’ve gone for yrs. without smoking pot. I do it when I choose to.
@rather-Good for you. I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. And I don’t do anything illegal.
GREAT! Goody goody for you you’re perfect. Don’t smoke if you choose not to but you have no right to condemn people who choose to smoke and conduct themselves in a responsible manner. I realize people can drink responsibly so I don’t label all who drink. But you have to admit alcohol can make people lose control over themselves. Pot does not. And I only condemn those who drink and drive or ruin their family unit and become violent when drinking. You on the other hand pass judgement on EVERYBODY. I don’t detect any Alzheimer symptoms in your posts so you have no excuse for your constant nasty judgemental behavior.
@rather-you damn right I have a reason for my feeling towards you pot smoking, brain dead thiefs. You steal everything that isn’t nailed down, You destroy work places by running bad parts or busting up equipment. You miss work at every given opportunity. You cost thousands in medical care because you can’t hold a job and have no insurance, there are thousand of illegal children out there because you are to damn stoned to put on a rubber. You have destroyed neighborhoods with your damn pit bulls and stealing to the point decent people can’t even sit it their yards. You are a dredge on society in every way shape and form and most of all you are criminals. And you want to sit there and call me names you P.O.S.? Get off it and get sober for once in your miserable lives.
Cannabis IS addictive.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/marijuana-addictive
Pot has NO PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE PROPERTIES. People could become psychologically addicted or use it as a crutch just as an over eater would or a gambler. But the body does NOT become addicted like it does with alcohol. I don’t care what REEFER MADNESS fake reports say. Science says pot is NON NARCOTIC. Go ask an drug abuse counselor. They will tell you the same thing. There is NO WITHDRAWAL events when you quit smoking. If you believe that article you are contributing to the dangerous falsehoods told to kids. You are encouraging alcohol consumption by kids because your type give them a false sense of security when you claim booze is safer than pot because it’s legal. SHAME ON YOU!
And just how do you think that I’m telling kids that alcohol is safer than pot? I’m saying no such thing. Alcoholism is a horrible drug addiction and I drank my share of liquid dumb in my day (and nights). Neither is a good idea. Period. The whole point is to teach children to cope and entertain themselves without needing mood-altering substances to self-medicate! I actually have a lot of friends who never drank much and never smoked pot.
This article must be from the yellow journalism school of propaganda. All research has shown marijuana to be incredibly safe and non-toxic. In 1988 DEA Judge Francis Young found marijuana to be far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating ten raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Then he went on to report, “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care.”
You’re relying on 25-year old research? New research has found cannabis to be very damaging to teenage brains. Google it and get updated for cripes sake.
@Katie-come on now. These brain dead druggers can’t figure out how to find their own house without a ball of string. They certainly won’t know how to Google.
@Katie – I have read recent studies showing cannabinoids promote hippocampal neurogenesis (aiding brain cells growth) helping alleviate depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
I have seen cannabis work wonders for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders, ADHD, and Autism. It’s criminal to keep this medicine from those who could benefit from it. Please watch:
http://youtu.be/BH5yzEu3JGQ
Pardon my french but…horse shit.
@Lebowski: I watched the video and I’m very happy for these families. I have no objection to prescription cannabis, especially the kind where the psychoactivity has been removed. Too bad for all the pot heads, huh. I have no objection to morphine, either, but heroin is a different matter! Don’t you people understand? If marijuana becomes legal, the next generation will want meth legal, then crack, then LSD, then whatever the next horror drug is. A society cannot function on drugs. That’s why they took the cocaine out of Coca Cola and old-time OTC pain killers. We’re starting to win the war on tobacco and now people want to mess their lungs up with cannabis, which is way more potent than it was 50 years ago.
Smoking marijuana DOES NOT cause lung damage.
Vaporizers and edibles are also a wonderful alternative to smoking. Two states have already legalized marijuana for recreational use, with many more to come. Prohibition is allowing children easy access to marijuana; It’s welcoming gangs into our city to make a hefty profit and ruin our neighborhoods. It’s overcrowding our penal system, and wasting valuable police resources and tax money. People who want to smoke marijuana do it irregardless of its legal status. The smart move is to regulate it like alcohol and tobacco.
http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/10/study-smoking-marijuana-not-linked-with-lung-damage/
First I am educated on this subject I have had 10 students killed over drug territory, I am for legalizing it to save lives, which no one has said anything about children dealing and dying. So another brick my question to you if it is legalized , what role do you think government will have in this legal business ?
You’re not educated in the least on this subject and just the fact that you think you are let’s me know that any further discussion on the subject is futile with you. Period.
@ LVS. Those are all facts.And if you doubt me, you either A: Never went to a State University, or B: never had any freinds! I would rather note toss my sibling under the bus because I felt the need to show you “Idiots” that smoking pot isnt bad. Being a Judgemental asshole is!
@Anonymous-you had better give back those degrees because they never taught you how to spell. Trying laying off the crap before you post Pot Head. It will certainly help.
I already said I was sorry for the typos asshole! Cellphones are a pain in the ass to type a paragraph with! You wouldnt know, I am sure your close to a dirt nap with views like that! 🙂 “Reefer Madness” Right?! lol
Calling someone a pot head is a great compliment. Pot, as you call it, is the best medicine for the human body. If you flat earthers ever pull your head out of your ass and research the endocannabinoid system, you would actually have a clue as to what you are commenting on. Epic fail on the dis oh clueless one.
@ LVS, if your gonna try to rip me for my spelling/grammer errors. You shouldn’t follow it up with this- “Trying laying off the crap before you post Pot Head”…Really LVS? How about, “Try Laying off the crap before you post Pot Head”! Never made it outta the halls of MCHS eh?! Sorry you have live a sheltered life…isnt it time for a nap you geriatric turd?! I have to get back to being a productive part of this society.
@Anonymous-go pay those taxes. Especially the Social Security. We need the money. Having a degree is not a prerequisite to intelligence and you are an excellent example of that.
If you’re clean and sober than what’s your excuse for being an ignorant sounding nasty mouthpiece posting here constasntly. You sound like you could use a joint to alter your crappy attitude and mood. I doubt you’ve lived a life worthy of a reservation in Heaven.
@Rather-just keeping up with ignorant, pot smoking, brain dead A-Holes like you.
@Anonymous-real classy post. Did you learn that in college? What was the name of yours school? School for the STUPID and Impaired.
mirror mirror on the wall…..
@rather-what are you? Seven years old? You post like a child you idiot.
@ LVS, I’ll go to work, pay my share of taxes and social security. Don’t you worry, your check will still be in the mail for years to come! As soon as you uneducated geriatrics die off pot will be legal everywhere! Until then…lets get drunk and pop pills! haha If the TV says its okay, it must be…right LVS!
@Anymouthy-are you high already? Wouldn’t surprise me that you have no sense of responsibility. What part of I don’t drink and I don’t smoke is so hard for your drug befuddled brain to understand? How much money did you lose for your employer because you screwed something up or stole from them to finance your illegal habit. It will be fun to watch what happens when they drug screen your stupid A## and you and your degree that you got out of a cereal box both get fired.
I dont like to toss in my two cents worth on this site, but this time I will! I agree with DS. I also smoke on an extremely regular basis, and I am a very productive member of this society. I have earned two sepeate AA Degrees and also my BA from the University of Iowa. All while taking several bong loads every single day. You would certainly never know just by meeting or looking at me! It has never once prevented me from getting a job, keeping a job, or not keeping me from obtain the goals I have set for myself. 60% of my peers in college smoked on a regular basis too, they are now are all Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses and Accountants who still talk to “Bob” on occasion. I have a sibling who also smokes that went to U of I and graduated Summa cum laude, with four majors in just four years. Now the kid is enrolled at an Ivory Leauge School studying Law. If smoking pot makes you stupid, I dont want to be smart! Maybe some of you misinformed folks should try it before knocking it! It will probably make your life a lot better! Sorry for the typos in advanced! Too stoned to care! 🙂
@Anonymous-it is real easy to make things up when hiding behind the Anonymous name.
IVORY LEAUGE? Give me a break. It’s because of stoned people like you with advanced degrees that we are seeing failures in every area in our country: Doctors who remove the wrong testicle or leg; manufacturers that allow contamination of prescription drugs due to carelessness; on and on and on. Drug users and alcoholics cannot pay as close attention to detail and they become slackers. I hope your employer starts testing.
Well Said Anonymous….now these 2 here, katie and lvs, are so misinformed n outrageous with their accusations its not even funny. im just glad i dont live a sheltered life where i believe everything im told….just like herding cattle follow the leader, whether its to the river for a drink or the slaughterhouse, follow the masses right losers?
And pot heads will believe whatever they want to justified their habits. It’s called hedonism.
Also referred to as being a Republican.
Show us the documented facts that a Dr. was “high on pot” when he amputated the wrong leg. Maybe he was drunk! Or on some other “legal drug”. I feel bad for your children. The “old wives tales and falsehoods ” they’ve been raised with. As has been pointed out….no one is advocating drug use on the job. We’re simply saying the effects of pot are NOT the same dangerous effects of alcohol or other drugs. And there is nothing wrong with relaxing after work with a joint and some good music.
People’s bad habits or laziness isn’t due to “objects”. Addictions or behaviors ALL start in the mind and with personal choices.
You could meet pot smokers and work with them and never know they smoke pot off duty.
@ Katie. Sorry my phone predicted Ivory as apposed to Ivy while typing earlier. My excusable mistake. I forgot everyone’s IQ is based off of typing on a cell phone while multitasking, I’m screwed. Again, my apologies. But seriously, pot doesn’t make you dumb, lazy or anything but hungry. So wake up to reality.
Also, I was commenting under anonymous earlier due to me being on my phone. (Didn’t want any confusion) 🙂 On a positive note, I closed a couple nice deals at the office today, so I am about ready to unwind if ya know what I mean!!
Peace!
@ Katie. My younger sibling was the only applicant accepted into the International Law program at Princeton from a State University! I am sorry this feat seems impossible to you!
@ LVS, I never said having a degree makes you any smarter. As a matter of fact, my grades in High School were average at best! The only difference was I was willing to work harder than most to get my degrees! There goes the lazy ass pot smoker stereo type!
Asshole
Just what we need. Another lawyer that breaks the law. Hope s/he lives in a state where pot is legal so s/he won’t get disbarred when his or her dealer needs to snitch on someone to get out of jail.
You*
Know*
Sometimes its best to put your foot directly into your mouth before someone else does it.
why do you think the idiots smoke it?
duh
Stupid cancer patients?
IDiots? WHy are marijuana users idiots? I smoke it daily and am productive member of society, IF your met me you’d never no. Go drink another fifth hypocrite.
Must keep his stash in a hollowed out dictionary.
LMAO. It’s for sure the dictionary has “know” words in it.