[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Ask any Heroin user what they started off with !!!!

Scientists long ago abandoned the idea that marijuana causes users to try other drugs: as far back as 1999, in a report commissioned by Congress to look at the possible dangers of medical marijuana, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences wrote:

Patterns in progression of drug use from adolescence to adulthood are strikingly regular. Because it is the most widely used illicit drug, marijuana is predictably the first illicit drug most people encounter. Not surprisingly, most users of other illicit drugs have used marijuana first. In fact, most drug users begin with alcohol and nicotine before marijuana — usually before they are of legal age.
In the sense that marijuana use typically precedes rather than follows initiation of other illicit drug use, it is indeed a “gateway” drug. But because underage smoking and alcohol use typically precede marijuana use, marijuana is not the most common, and is rarely the first, “gateway” to illicit drug use. There is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs.
Since then, numerous other studies have failed to support the gateway idea. Every year, the federal government funds two huge surveys on drug use in the population. Over and over they find that the number of people who try marijuana dwarfs that for cocaine or heroin. For example, in 2009, 2.3 million people reported trying pot — compared with 617,000 who tried cocaine and 180,000 who tried heroin. It's just a false argument. To put it another way, all Hell's Angels rode bicycles when they were kids. Very few kids who rode bicycles became Hell's Angels.

[joerocker]

Originally Posted by DonH57

It's rumored that heavy marijuana can cause short term memory loss.

And heavy alcohol use causes? Heavy xanax use causes? Heavy doing of anything is hazardous to your well being. Aging causes short term memory loss.

Those against it always imply that everyone who uses it becomes hooked and wants nothing but marijuana 24 hours a day. It's not like that...really. It's something to use responsibly like responsible adults drink alcohol. I said before, marijuana is easier for a child to get than alcohol. Ask your grandchildren. It's already everywhere. Availablilty for children won't change.

Why do you think it's so abundant? It makes people feel good. What's wrong with that? I'll bet a large percentage of us, more the newer arrivals as they're younger, would buy some in Colorado or Washington. I would. Why not? It's legal. No different than living in a dry county and driving next door for your beer.

If you're ever in CO or WA, get some, try it, and I'll bet you'll be for it too. It's no more evil than beer.

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Ask any Heroin user what they started off with !!!!

alcohol...

[joerocker]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Ask any Heroin user what they started off with !!!!

Caffeine. Most used drug. Found in coffee, tea, soda, etc) You're kidding yourself if you drink caffeinated coffee or tea and deny you're a "drug user". Wars were fought over the caffeine found in tea and coffee.

[DonH57]

Did you know heavy marijuana use may cause short term memory loss?

[Jaggy]

I think it is a weed, so I would grow it once it becomes legal. I am fantastic at growing weeds in my garden. !!! The big boys with their additives can bite me.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by joerocker

...You're kidding yourself if you drink caffeinated coffee or tea and deny you're a "drug user"...

IMHO, you're kidding yourself if you think caffeine is comparable to use of the illegal drugs mentioned in this thread.

[joerocker]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

IMHO, you're kidding yourself if you think caffeine is comparable to use of the illegal drugs mentioned in this thread.

It's comparable to beer.

I didn't compare anything. I simply stated that caffeine is a drug. It's a stimulant. How many people do you know who can't/won't do anything without their morning coffee? They're addicted to caffeine. There are people who lose their mind without a cigarette. They are addicted. I've yet to hear anything of people "addicted" to marijuana.

[DonH57]

The only thing I believe marijuana use is a gateway to is the kitchen cabinets or refrigerator afterward.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Ask any Heroin user what they started off with !!!!

Either mother's milk, or infant formula.

[renielarson]

---

[renielarson]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Ask any Heroin user what they started off with !!!!

Originally Posted by gustavo

Either mother's milk, of infant formula.

Great response! Love it!

[luvmagic2]

Legalized marijuana is not just for smoking but it is also in cakes, cookies, candies and drinks.

[DougB]

Some of these posts are real buzz killers.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by joerocker

...I didn't compare anything. I simply stated that caffeine is a drug.

You post what you did in a thread discussing pot and other drugs...but there's no comparison intended. Okay. Whatever you say.