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Marihuana: for, against or neutral?
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That is soooo awsome. I have been stopped for 15 years now. I could not imagine I could ever stop. I am so happy I stopped. You can do it. Orange Juice and colored Tums antacids helped me. Everytime I had a craving I would let a Tums disolve on my tongue. By the time the Tums disolved my craving was gone. Also the calcium helped. The very best to you !!!! XXXOOOO
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Geez I meant real cigs !!!! Sorry !!!
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Today's news story:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false
It does state that smoking will not give you enough CBD, however this is amazing news. How long have we been looking for a cure for cancer and it was growing out in a field some where. BTW, this was brought about by the studies I posted yesterday and the research has been going on for 20 years. I will also note though that even though a compound works in a petri dish and in animals it does not always mean it will work in humans. BUT, can you imagine a cancer drug that does not destroy the rest of your body like everything else that is on the market right now?
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Another really good read from Huff Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurel-dewey/marijuana-is-not-addictive_b_1739339.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
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Firstly, yes, there ARE people who come home to beat their partners after smoking pot only(Recently heard a friend make that same comment, unfortunately I know from experience that it *can* happen!) It is NOT the drug – it is the person. The drugs just make episodes worse, and give an excuse, they don't cause the violence.
I am studying lactation at the moment, and yes marijuana really is the least of the problems affecting mothers and babies through pregnancy & breastfeeding when we look at illicit drug use. However, how is legalising drugs encouraging good parenting? I had a VERY colourful life before the kids. Hubby and I were both regularly taking drugs (coke, speed, eckies and more, along with the pot and smoking) I was an entertainer, hung out with bikies and dangerous men, and knew infamous people here. When I fell pregnant with our first, it all stopped instantly for me. I was only 4 weeks along and already terrified I'd hurt the baby! Hubby didn't stop the drugs until right before the birth. I would not have allowed him to be present at the birth if he was on anything. And today, he is *the* most amazing, beautiful father and husband anyone could ask for!!! Especially dealing with having his two sons in multiple therapies and one seeing multiple specialists (one was preemie at 25 weeks and also has septo-optic dysplasia and developmental global delay; the other one was born with severe torticollis also causing delays). We both have friends and family who did (and do) use drugs regularly. And it DOES affect their parenting. Even 'just' regular pot use. So how would this be regulated to ensure that the kids are not suffering? My husband and I simply could not be the parents we are today, with even just occasional pot use.
It's also different depending on how/where it is grown. Very different. And that affects users, some batches are better than others. Then there is the case of unstable neurological conditions, existing or not yet diagnosed. These people can be a particularly vulnerable group to these differences. Yet we cannot distinguish them with the blanket legalising of marijuana. Medical use, as opposed to recreational use, has it's place in my opinion. The risks of synthetic drugs manufactured to meet demand and patented to make money have far greater side effects and dangers. But this is use in treating medical conditions, not handing out for fun and relaxation. I firmly believe that just because there are more dangerous drugs out there, that we should not legalise something which has the potential to affect families and allow children to suffer in their upbringing. I have sadly seen this with many hard drugs, but it does include those who smoke pot and cigarettes alone. And yes, of course those who drink too. But kids are the ones who cannot take care of themselves, if parents are allowing themselves to over indulge. And being legal, it would be far harder to regulate those situations.
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I should add, I choose to labour and birth without drugs (my preemie was an emergency section, but no meds for the labour) and I also avoid paracetamol during pregnancy (there is a study on testicular problems in male foetus' in relation to panadol!) So I may be a little more on the cautious side than others 😉 Again though, I have seen the effects personally (which also taints my view!) But really, the theory that we should be allowed to put into our own bodies so long as it doesn't affect others is sound enough. But even soft drugs like pot CAN affect others. It can affect others when someone drives, is at work, or is in ANY position of responsiblity. What about someone so affected that they could not carry out normal every day activities safely? It does happen to those who overindulge!! What about the woman who should have gone to her antenatal appt but couldn't due to her state? Or the father who was meant to pick up his children from school? Or the mother who has little kids relying on her to feed & bathe them but isn't in the right state to do so?? I've known all of these people, and many more examples I've seen firsthand. That is my issue with legalising.
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People having children when they should not be is the problem, not legalizing marijuana. I know so many who stop daily on their way home from work to have a few beers before facing their family. How many mothers rely on a glass of wine to be able to deal? Worse yet, how many are on some sort of prescription drug for pain, depression, adhd, quitting smoking, birth control, weight loss, you name it. ALL of these have side effects that can alter your state of mind. Why should the government try to regulate "situations"? They have enough regulation in my life and some of their recommendations are downright incorrect (food pyramid anyone?)
I will state what someone else stated earlier, every drug effect everyone differently. I know tons of people who are fully functional if not more functional when in an "altered" state. Doctors are quick with the prescription pad. I have been on steroids that made me want to pick fights. Friends have been on chantix and wanted to kill themselves. Wine makes me silly and horny, vodka makes me talkative and adventurous. This is a plant that has been proved to be more beneficial than hazardous but also has the capability of taking down so many industries as sensual noted.
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I agree with Chem on the parenting issue. Proposing that the government regulate pot use in order to "ensure" more responsible parenting is kind of approaching that issue sideways. Not to mention, when did it become the government's place to tell us what makes a "good" parent. I realize driving drunk with your kid in the backseat or physically/mentally abusing them is intolerable and the community should have the right to defend a child that essentially doesn't have the ability to do so for themselves, but as far as claiming that the use of marijuana will ultimately make a parent irresponsible and a bad parent is a bit extreme. I feel that negiligent parents should be held accountable for their own poor behavior rather than the "mind-altering" drug being their scapegoat excuse. Ultimately, it's not the drug's fault. If you chose to do something that you know makes you less attentive or involved than you should be, ultimately you chose to be those things (with or without the help of the substance regardless if it puts you in any state of mind.) It's not the government's job to play defense constantly, when we start expecting them to, we open ourselves up to them regulating aspects of our life that I think anyone would find to be intrusive (such as telling us "how" to parent.)
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On a side note, RM2012, I just want to say that I also have the utmost respect for you for taking responsibility and choosing to do the right thing for your children. Despite our varying ideas on the subject of legalization, I still have to give you props for making a conscience and successful effort to choose your children over old habits and yourself 🙂
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^^ YES!!! ^^
Totally agree with this post.
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I wonder if there is a difference in prescription meds here to the US too… (and here to the other side of this country of ours, also!) Medications on script can be a lot more difficult for many here and regular follow up is necessary to receive more scripts. There are also systems in place that support men & women past just the medicating, which is a good thing.
I totally agree that many people have children when they simply shouldn't (or keep them, when they are putting wants ahead of kids needs) But unfortunately in my own experience, those same people are the ones who opt for drug use (abuse) and drinking, smoking etc which is why my thoughts were being easier to regulate when the substance has not been legalised in the first place. Sadly it happens anyway, but if it weren't legal, there is greater support for law enforcement. It really is the parents having kids when they are not in a state to take proper care though, but I don't see much here in the way of protecting the kids (eg one little girl who has had repeated infections from STDs and *still* getting send back to her mother. That is utterly disgusting, but the law is limited) Child Protective Services do a great job, don't get me wrong, but many of the 'lesser' cases go without help. And so too do those cases that are difficult. I've got friends who care for children in the capacity of foster carers (something I'd LOVE to do one day!) and see so many failings for these poor kids. It certainly has influenced my opinions, as has watching my friends with theirs.
Thinking about it Chem, a woman I spoke with today told me I must be 'nicer' with my kids through the night (two still wake through the night) then she was with hers, and that she was not nice with them so that they would learn to sleep through. Bit of a shocking thing to hear for me, since that's what being a mum is! Kids don't wake through the night just to make life difficult for us…. it did show the difference in attitude we both have to our roles as mothers. So yeah, the indivual has a lot to do with it. I guess I still feel that legalising something makes it easier for people to abuse, and harder to prove the inproper use. But can totally understand the reasoning you have also. By the way, it's really not cracked down on here like it sounds over there!
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I wonder if there is a difference in prescription meds here to the US too… (and here to the other side of this country of ours, also!) Medications on script can be a lot more difficult for many here and regular follow up is necessary to receive more scripts. There are also systems in place that support men & women past just the medicating, which is a good thing.
I totally agree that many people have children when they simply shouldn't (or keep them, when they are putting wants ahead of kids needs) But unfortunately in my own experience, those same people are the ones who opt for drug use (abuse) and drinking, smoking etc which is why my thoughts were being easier to regulate when the substance has not been legalised in the first place. Sadly it happens anyway, but if it weren't legal, there is greater support for law enforcement. It really is the parents having kids when they are not in a state to take proper care though, but I don't see much here in the way of protecting the kids (eg one little girl who has had repeated infections from STDs and *still* getting send back to her mother. That is utterly disgusting, but the law is limited) Child Protective Services do a great job, don't get me wrong, but many of the 'lesser' cases go without help. And so too do those cases that are difficult. I've got friends who care for children in the capacity of foster carers (something I'd LOVE to do one day!) and see so many failings for these poor kids. It certainly has influenced my opinions, as has watching my friends with theirs.
Thinking about it Chem, a woman I spoke with today told me I must be 'nicer' with my kids through the night (two still wake through the night) then she was with hers, and that she was not nice with them so that they would learn to sleep through. Bit of a shocking thing to hear for me, since that's what being a mum is! Kids don't wake through the night just to make life difficult for us…. it did show the difference in attitude we both have to our roles as mothers. So yeah, the indivual has a lot to do with it. I guess I still feel that legalising something makes it easier for people to abuse, and harder to prove the inproper use. But can totally understand the reasoning you have also. By the way, it's really not cracked down on here like it sounds over there!
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Oh and thank you. My kids changed my life. They ARE my life! 😀
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There will alway be people who partake in drugs and become irresponsible parents whether drugs are legal or not. We shouldn't allow the minority to ruin it for everyone. Most people are responsible and do these things safely. CPS still exists, so if child endangerment and/or neglect is going on, they can still step in. They can take kids away from a drunk who is neglectful or abusive. It would still go for drugs if they became legal.
I should note, alcoholism runs in my family and I have had unpleasant experiences due to drunk relatives, but I do not feel that alcohol should be illegal. Not the gov'ts place to regulate our personal lives unless they endanger others.
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But that's just the problem, perhaps it's easier over where you are for kids to be removed from houses where they shouldn't be. It's not so easy over here, so an illicit substance would open the door for a way to remove children. Funnily enough, BEFORE I had the kids, I would have totally been opposed to keeping it illegal!
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