Marijuana and School

Pre-College Issues High School Life
21

<p>Dude, you are talking in circles. First off I said originally:</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
Marijuana has NO affect on your personality, and the only time you should feel lazy or possibly unmotivated is when you are high.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I said that before even you, so I'm not quite sure what you are getting at. </p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
It's a widely known fact that weed chanes brain function, and PET scans of smokers while high have shown learning differences. At least one study has shown that learning is negatively impacted

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Obviously while high it changes brain function, I thought we ALL agreed on this. What you were arguing, however, implied that there were permanent affects. Sorry if I misunderstood, but most people realize that your brain is altered while being under a substance that "alters your brain". As for learning while high, again, there really is no correlation (excluding short term memory loss, so I guess some people might find it hard to pay attention), but it's a stupid thing to do just because its a waste to go to class baked. Being high and learning is possible, but is more difficult not because you don't understand, but because people have more trouble paying attention. This is a moot point though, anyone dumb enough to continuously smoke weed and then complain that they can't concentrate in school needs to be shot.</p>

<p>I will go on record and say yes, I agree, although I don't know if they are "negative" effects, but cognitive function while high is certainly affected (again though, this was never my argument so I don't know how it came to this point anyway).</p>

<p>As for Tarheelhopeful, you left out a WHOLE lot from your original post.</p>

<ol>
<li>She knew he had pot.</li>
<li>She smokes pot herself.</li>
</ol>

<p>That right there makes her as guilty as him, period. If you are going to smoke, know the inherit risks that come with it.</p>

<p>The rest of my life won't be spent trying to make pot smoking legal, because by the time I'm 40 it will already have been done for me. Look at the laws, look at the evidence, EVERYTHING is pointing towards the legalization or at the very least, decriminalization of weed. Multiple states have already knocked simple possession down to a fifty dollar (or less) fine, and they generally don't even confiscate it. </p>

<p>Now, as for people who try to put pot smoking as a way of life, this is insane. It's like saying a cigarette smokers or person who casually drinks a drug addict. In fact, by conventional standards, every drug on the market is in fact, far worst then weed. Using your logic:</p>

<p>Antidepressants, legal stimulants, etc, should all be illegal. Not only do they all have the ability to become addictive, but you can overdose on nearly all of them, and almost all of them have PROVEN affects to kill/harm you (cirrhosis from alcohol, overdose from antidepressants, lung cancer and emphysema (cigarettes), and God knows what else. Do I feel this way? No, but apparently you do. </p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
I'm the first to admit that life can be pretty sucky at times but you don't need to add insult to injury by doing drugs

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I actually can't say that life can be pretty sucky. My life has been awesome up until this point, and I know that I haven't experienced half the things that are truly "sucky" in this world. I've had friends parents kill the spouse then themselves, I know of kids who had to raise themselves on the streets, the fact that I'm sitting here at this computer is a testament to the blessings I have, and I would never possibly try to assert that my life has been bad. Sure, bad things happen, but you roll with the punches. I never started smoking pot because I was depressed, far from it, I would have to say curiosity coupled with the fact that none of the people I knew were dropping dead or losing brain cells (my friend took the SAT drunk and then High. his second time he got a 2180 high, I AM IN NO WAY ADVOCATING THIS. GET THIS STRAIGHT NOW. ALL I AM ASSERTING IS THAT THIS WAS EVIDENCE THAT MARIJUANA COULD NOT BE THE DEMON IT WAS MADE OUT TO BE. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO AGREE/DISAGREE WITH THIS POINT, I WAS JUST PUTTING THIS IN), and so I tried it. A foolish decision, possibly, but at the same time my grades stayed the same (well actually they rose, but this isn't because of weed, but because I began dedicated myself more to school work that year, something totally unrelated), and it was something I did while bored. I never would use that cop out excuse "my life is so bad", in fact, when things get to rough I STOP smoking and instead choose to focus on what is at hand. People need to stop allowing others to use ridiculous excuses like weed cloud their judgment, some people are just lazy and unmotivated and look for anything to blame it on.</p>

<p>Pot is not a drug, THC is. Again, people seem to forget the INSANE amount of uses for hemp, gas, clothes, etc etc. This also went out with weed, and statistics prove we could benefit at the very least by making hemp legal. More time to argue later, I find this interesting though.</p>

<p>Glad people can argue without biting other people's heads off though, thats pretty cool.</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
Pot is not a drug, THC is

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The last time I checked, anything which changes the way you act is considered a drug.</p>

<p>Let me just say this once: it is illegal. That is why people feel the need to report it, especially at school.</p>

<p>This also enters into it a lot for kids at my school: If you see someone smoking pot in the bathroom (or any other thing that's illegal on school premises) and you don't report it, they'll punish you the same as the other kids. I dunno about you guys, but I don't want to get suspended for not doing drugs but not reporting it either.</p>

<p>Now. I come from Southern California, one of the Pot Capitals of the US. Let me tell you, kids come to school stoned on pot (or other drugs) ALL THE TIME. It's not uncommon. And I KNOW that it effects their learning. And not only does it effect them, it effects the rest of us because they get up to all their crazy antics in the middle of class and the teacher has to take time out from teaching to deal with it.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Entirely untrue. Marijuana has NO affect on your personality, and the only time you should feel lazy or possibly unmotivated is when you are high. I hate this stupid excuse people who smoke give for being lazy or dumb.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>So you just get "naturally" high, do you? You have to smoke marijuana to get high. The drug does effect you.</p>

23

<p>
[QUOTE]
So you just get "naturally" high, do you? You have to smoke marijuana to get high. The drug does effect you.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>I don't understand how people are misunderstanding me. Of course the drug affects you. What I mean is this: Many people use the excuse that pot made them dumb or lazy during their life, but the truth is pot does not affect you when you aren't high, and people use this excuse constantly which is a strong reason why there is a social stigma to it. People choose to smoke weed, if that affects their personal lives and is detrimental, then they should stop, like any bad habit in life. However, just as many people drink casually, have cigarettes casually, and go to hookah bars and such, marijuana is in the same class and even milder in comparison to alcohol, and this to could be done casually. It's as if someone were to say, alcohol made my life bad. How many people would accept that excuse? Yet with weed they have a different mindset because of a law that was made decades ago that is being fought at every part of the government. Hell, nearly all of the democratic candidates are at least CONSIDERING medical marijuana. Things are rapidly changing, and I feel the people who say things like, "It will never happen", are the same people 30 years ago who said, "It will never happen," yet here we are decades later and there are medical marijuana places in many cities, weed has become far less penalized, and contrary to old believe, pandemonium is not running rampant in the streets and more people have tried marijuana than ever before in the united states.</p>

<p>As for the school thing, that might be a regional thing. Very rarely do many people do stupid things like smoke in the bathroom, most people are smart enough to do that in their homes. Maybe in california because its so much more popular there than many places. Coming to school on drugs constantly is not good, but again, its as if someone came in drunk all the time. You blame THEM, not the substance, no one forces anyone to make these choices, yet people tend to just forget this when it comes to weed.</p>

<p>Again, pot as a plant does not do anything. In its natural form you can make hemp, a product of incredible usefulness such as gas, oil, clothing, and so much more. There was a link to it up there. Burning it and inhaling THC is what gives you that affect. Would you say a coca tree was a drug because people make cocaine out of it?</p>

24

<p>HisGraceFillsMe, I don't necessarily disagree with your essential point but note two things: almost EVERY town or city in the entire United States is a pot capital. And you can't simply lump weed with "other drugs." Coming to school stoned on weed, or high on speed, or meth, or heroin, or acid, etc. are all very different and produce very different results.</p>

25

<p>You really think it doesn't effect you after you're not high anymore?</p>

<p>It does. Any drug kills brain cells. Heck, breathing in helium kills brain cells. And brain cells don't just grow back like other cells.</p>

<p>As for the "no one forces them"...peer pressure. I know it's not force, but a lot of kids think it is because they don't want to risk their social status or whatever. </p>

<p>Phedre...I know they have different effects, but all of them in effect cause the same thing: distraction, disruption, all those other things that we just don't need in school. It's hard enough to learn in a public school as it is without people coming to school stoned all the time.</p>

26

<p>Now, hyakku, we understand each other. Please don't read things into what I post. On the Internet, I make a point of not making any implications that aren't blatantly, blatantly obvious. Too many times people miss the point. So take what I say at face value. Especially when I purposely qualify what I say by "when stoned" to avoid precisely the kind of histrionics you went into.</p>

<p>HisGraceFillsMe: Prove that every drug kills brain cells. Here's a hint before you go off and waste your time: you can't, because not all of them do. I'm surprised you'd say that, because you're completely and blatantly wrong.</p>

<p>That aside, question: is everything that is illegal automatically immoral?</p>

27

<p>First off, you are entirely wrong. Smoking weed causes no loss of brain cells besides what ANY inhalation of smoke and holding your breath does. This is a ridiculous assertion. If this was the case, people who have smoked for 30+ years would be mentally handicapped right? Explain why civilizations for thousands of years existed FINE with it, yet suddenly now, for some strange reason, it will suddenly cause your brain to start withering away. If you are that concerned with your brain cells, consider the pollution and disgusting filth thats in our air EVERY DAY. Marijuana is a natural plant, but every time you start up your car or eat all that processed food, remember that your tossing hundreds of chemicals in the air, or eating from a filthy factory full of obscene bacteria that could do alot worse than killing a few brain cells.</p>

<p>And you just argued against yourself, even inhaling helium would indeed kill brain cells.</p>

<p>Peer pressure is not a force, again, this is another cop out people use to not take responsibility of their own lives. Is that not what's supposed to separate us from animals? The ability to discern ourselves, to choose? We aren't wolves or lions, and people really don't advertise drugs to other people or really push them to do it in most cases. For one, who would give away their own drugs just to get someone else trashed? Two, who would spend money on someone else to corrupt them just because they could?</p>

<p>People have to stop using all these excuses for lacking moral fiber and a strong character to uphold your own beliefs. It's sad that in our society we have so many things people can blame their problems on so that they never have to face them themselves. Peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, violence, all these things are choices people can accept or deny. Only those who cannot make their own decisions allow others to lead their lives.</p>

<p>Edit: This goes to hisgrace, not 1of42 we posted at same time.</p>

28

<p>Not that I know anything, but brain cells might be able to grow back (neurogenesis). It's just that using drugs and alcohol inhibits this growth. Debate of course is still on-going, since its a really recent discovery.</p>

<p><a href="http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web1/Wall.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web1/Wall.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

29

<p>I say, let people do with their bodies whatever they want. They want to kill themselves? No problem. Want to take AP US History? No problem. Want to smoke pot? No problem.</p>

<p>There are worse things that are not being banned. I.e. saturated fats, HFCS, etc.
But I don't think anything should be banned. Let us evolve!</p>

30

<p>
[quote]
People have to stop using all these excuses for lacking moral fiber and a strong character to uphold your own beliefs. It's sad that in our society we have so many things people can blame their problems on so that they never have to face them themselves. Peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, violence, all these things are choices people can accept or deny. Only those who cannot make their own decisions allow others to lead their lives.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I really hope you're not trying to imply that I can't uphold my beliefs on my own. I deal with people trying to shoot down my beliefs every single day just because I believe in God.</p>

<p>Secondly. I have never, nor will I ever, tried marijuana, alcohol, or any other drug. Partly because it just doesn't appeal to me. Partly because I can have fun without it. But most of all because it's dangerous, it can get you sent to jail, and it can kill you.</p>

<p>Now before you go off on me: yes, I do realize that it would take a ridiculous amount of marijuana to kill you.</p>

<p>I was wrong about the brain cells thing. I'll be the first one to admit it, I'm not afraid to be wrong.</p>

<p>But if we're going to legalize something just because "it doesn't do that much harm"...or even if we're going to follow the philosophy that mr_chipset introduced:</p>

<p>Want to go rob a bank? No problem! Want to go kill someone? No problem! Want to go blow up an abortion clinic? No problem!</p>

<p>Don't take me for an extremist, I'm not. In fact, I've even told my friends that if they want to do drugs or drink, hey, that's fine with me. But do it outside of school hours and don't complain to me about the hangover or lasting effects, because I have zero sympathy.</p>

<p>The only time I have a problem with it is when it starts effecting me. Do it on the weekends, don't come to school, or just don't do it at all, because I have better things to do than have to put up with potheads all the time.</p>

31

<p>
[QUOTE]
it can kill you

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Rofl, dude you would have to inhale the equivalent of about 40+ joints in less than 30 minutes to even BEGIN to come close to the level those monkeys those studies were done on, and EVEN in those cases, the monkeys died from too much smoke inhalation, there was no relation to THC.</p>

<p>And no, I'm not attacking your morals, I'm saying in general, our society has made it to easy to push problems onto everything else.</p>

32

<p>^Then I misunderstood ^_^ Just wanted to make sure.</p>

<p>And I believe I said in my last post that I knew it would take quite a large amount to kill you. Maybe read the whole post next time before you cut it down.</p>

33

<p>But in your way, you make it seem possible. Physically, you cannot inhale that much unless someone forces the smoke into your lungs. You would pass out before you could even come near amounts to even reach that level of smoke inhalation.</p>

34

<p>"Now before you go off on me: yes, I do realize that it would take a ridiculous amount of marijuana to kill you."</p>

35

<p>I dunno if you were trying to emphasize that, but all I'm saying is the amount he is suggesting is not possible to obtain easily.</p>

36

<p>I'm a girl, first off XD (no offense meant, just clarifying).</p>

<p>Also...I probably should have added "it would take a ridiculous amount to kill you and it would be hard to get that much." I do know that. I took health in 9th grade just like everyone else. XD</p>

<p>Anyways, to get back to the topic. Drugs and alcohol have no place in school to begin with, and it needs to stay that way. That's why I'm against people coming to school under the influence of anything, not just marijuana.</p>

37

<p>Speaking as one of CC's cadre of high-achieving caffeine addicts, I think you should rethink your statement LOL.</p>

38

<p>XD I'm a caffeine addict as well, but that's a bit different, don't you think? Caffeine doesn't do anything but make you feel more awake. I've never seen anyone do anything stupid and blame it on caffeine.</p>

39

<p>Lol, again though, caffeine is a drug as well. It's funny how people constantly make exceptions, but if you are with the point of view that ANY substance that alters the mind should be out of school, then so to should coffee.</p>

<p>Just as I know many people who are perfectly fine while high, I know kids who get way too jitty when they drink coffee. It all depends on the person, but in the end, we should all be able to control ourselves long enough to just stay sober during school if you know you cannot handle anything. Your life is always a choice.</p>

40

<p>I don't mind you smoking, since you're far away and you're (probably) smart anyway. It tends to be that stupid people who smoke pot have their stupidity intensified greatly when they smoke, and it's sad, yet entertaining, to see these kids doing absolutely ridiculous things. However, I would not smoke myself at all. I can't really speak from experience, because I've never tried it and never will, so this may not be accurate, but it seems that the feeling of enjoyment it gives the smoker is kind of...cheap. You know what I mean. Kind of saccharine (that's my definition, not yours or the conventional one, but you can infer what I mean). Is it addictive? If so, that's another downside. There's the money issue. And my religion is anti-drug and backs that opinion up theologically in terms a non-Indian person probably wouldn't understand.</p>

<p>Edit: And since pot is supposedly (can't source, but I've heard it) three times as bad as cigarettes for your lungs, if tobacco is banned under 18, shouldn't pot? If this statistic is wrong, don't bother replying to this.</p>