<p>whoaa..I was commenting on posts you had made earlier...and did not really retract, so I thought it was pertinent. I mean, the last comment you made was "Temporary meaning it affects your IQ for at least a week after use. Not just when you are using it." which is completely untrue. You would know this if you read some real, recent studies, and did not just spew ignorance. I am merely trying to set you straight on the subject.</p>
<p>Anyway, my main point was to show the that not only does marijuana not cause longterm brain damage, but it may actually be beneficial to the mind as well as the body. I mean, if pot rebuilds your neurons, maybe it RAISES IQ longterm. chew on that thought for a minute.</p>
<p>"In colonies in America, coloners were required by law to grow marijuana because hemp was used and needed for many purposes, like paper and rope. Ben Franklin and George Washington were known users of marijuana, as were many other founders of our country."</p>
<p>Best not to use pot, because despite the fact that people may contend that it raises or lowers your IQ, pot is ILLEGAL in this country, and the amount of brain damage or brain enhancement you may receive from its usage will be FAR OUTWEIGHED by the hot water that you'll get your butt in if you get caught with it.</p>
<p>"Ever been convicted of a crime? (yes/no)"</p>
<p>Sucks if you've gotta circle yes simply because you wanted to establish a few extra neural connections. Marijuana possession ain't no parkin' ticket... unfortunate as it is, and as much as our founding fathers may have partaken of smokin' the ganja, it's illegal for <em>us</em> and it'll stay on your record for longer than you'll care to deal with.</p>
<p>That, and it's just not worth the trouble.</p>
<p>Hey, stick to underage drinking. That's always a keen idea.</p>
<p>Actually, aibarr, if you live in a state where pot is decriminalized, getting busted with it (under a certain amount) IS like getting a ticket. In CA for example, getting caught with <28.5 grams is only an $100 fine</p>
<p>Underage drinking is illegal too, and can be a felony. Where as stretch said in certain states possession of a small amount can be a ticket, or a misdemeanor.</p>
<p>Christ, could the guy who started this thread have sounded any more like a desperate, out-of-luck DEA agent looking for any leads at all? </p>
<p>"Gee fellas, any of you swell kids smoke the wacky tabacky? My steady girl just dumped my and I'm feelin' real down. I heard this stuff will make you real happy no matter what. So whatdya say guys, would ya roll me a marijuana cigarette while I put on one of those rock and/or roll ablums?"</p>
<p>The problem with all this IQ discussion is that IQ does NOT measure intelligence. IQ measures...SKILL AT IQ TESTS. I doubt pot makes you any dumber, but it definately makes you test worse (since it lowers attention span, confuses, etc). Still, it has no effect on intelligence. Some of our greatest works of fiction were written by people stoned out of their brains (On the Road, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Howl).</p>
<p>According to dictionary.com, intelligence is "he capacity to acquire and apply knowledge; the faculty of thought and reason."</p>
<p>So you say pot confuses people. You don't consider confused people with shorter attention spans to be less capable of acquiring and applying knowledge?</p>
<p>What is your definition of intelligence, exactly?</p>
<p>Intelligence can mean a lot of different things. Jack Kerouac was a brilliant author but maybe terrible at math. There are different types of intelligence. I think pot screws with certain types and doesn't affect (or maybe even enhances) others. Either way, the effect wears off after use, even after incredibly heavy use there are no discernable effects after a few weeks. So maybe pot makes you less capable of functioning temporarily, but so does alcohol.</p>
<p>My point is just that, according to the dictionary definition of intelligence, marijuana does make you stupider. That's certainly not specific to just marijuana though.</p>
<p>Right, well, by that narrow definition, then you are less intelligent for a short period of time. But also if you're sleepy, or distracted, or upset about something. So I don't know what it really tells us about the implications of smoking pot.</p>
<p>Honestly, I could care less whether or not I can still do calculus when I'm hanging out with friends at midnight, as long as I can remember it the next day.</p>
<p>::Right, well, by that narrow definition, then you are less intelligent for a short period of time. But also if you're sleepy, or distracted, or upset about something. So I don't know what it really tells us about the implications of smoking pot.::</p>
<p>You are correct. All those things can make you less intelligent. Pot is just another thing that you can add to the list. Its effects aren't permanent, but they can last for certainly more than a couple days. But it's of course up to you to use it or not.</p>
<p>Last for certainly more than a couple days? I'd like to see the scientific literature that supports that contension. I accept that extremely heavy use (more than once a day for many continuous days) might take awhile to have its effects wear off, but with casual use, you are nearly 100% fine within 12 hours, and are definately 100% ok within 24. Check out the science.</p>