Weed & the American Family

[ACamp1900]

I take Asprin, Advil and allergy pills like crazy... I'm a terribly broken person.

 

[dshans]

No doubt. One time I got wicked hammered on box sangria and scarfed down an Angus burger and large order of fries at the McDonald's on Michigan Street, not far from where you took your nap. My vomit was the most violent color purple you can imagine. That parking lot looked like it had a huge blood stain for about a year.

I was with two friends. We decided to "do" a bit of tequila while a cake we had made was in the oven.

He was roughly my size – 5'7", 130 lbs. She was (maybe ) 5', 95 lbs.

A fifth and a pint of tequila I was made aware (by a person who shall remain nameless – she was a ruthless task master) that it was my week to walk the dogs. I begged, cajoled and bargained to trade just that one night.

Nope. So off I went. The three blocks to the open area was fun. I got the dogs, one of which was a hefty German Shepherd/St. Bernard mix, running so I could skate behind them with little effort.

I let them off their leashes to run. I sat down on a stray concrete block in the middle of the rubble. I tipped over in the soft snow.

The dogs woke me some time later. How much later I don't know. The cake was done, cooled and eaten by the time the dogs led me back home.

The housemates and friend were on the front porch mounting a search party.

I woke up the next morning and was loathe to move my head. I expected a world of pain.

Nope. Headache free, stomach steady, and chipper as could be. ready to fry up some bacon and eggs, and toast up a loaf of bread and slather it with a pound of butter.

My housemate and my lady friend were in no mood and would have nothing of it. I'm not sure why.

To this day, though, I avoid Tequila like the plague. It smells like wet dog to me for some reason.



See, I DID learn a thing or two while at ND.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm big on Don Julio

 

[dshans]

Dshans, your post reminds me of this. I feel much the same way about video games, which is why I haven't bothered upgrading to the latest and greatest. I see Netflix and the like affecting my peers in the same way.

I gave up on video games long ago. I bought my son a cheap, used NES when he was about five. He'd been playing the original Mario Brothers with his cousin. He was as proud as a peacock in heat showing me what he'd been able to do and how far he'd gotten in the game.

I realized that he was learning both cognitive and physical skills.

We played a number of games on Nintendo and the computer for a number of years. We really liked some Indiana Jones game on the computer. It entailed learning, remembering, solving puzzles or riddles, and deciding on a plan of action.

When the games evolved from the basic "Up, Down; Left, Right; Button A or Button B" I "retired."

I did kick ass on a few versions of Zelda. Replacing controllers that I'd smashed became too frequent and too expensive.

Neither of us beat the shitty Nintendo game, "Silver Surfer." We still talk about it, growl, and fight the urge to throw something against the wall.

I use Netflix to watch British mystery series to lull me to sleep. Sometimes it takes me four nights to get through a single hour long episode. If I choose to pick up a book, it's a tossup. Half the time I nod off. The other half of the time I get engrossed and then suddenly notice that the sun is rising.

The "Boob Tube" has earned its moniker. As such, has its beneficial uses.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Doubt that this will be seen as applying to the discussion, but when I was teaching human biology, it had a section (invented by myself just because it was interesting) about the Brain and what goes on "in there." Part of that (which transfixed the students) was the effects of various brain-altering chemicals (both common and esoteric.) And because I was lecturing on such matters, I had to study, prof-like, what was "up" with THC. I'll make a short list for what it's worth:

A). THC though some like to think of it as a "high" is actually a mild depressant, which often relaxes the consumer by in its own way depressing Dopamine and Nor-Adrenaline function (a bit) and allowing chronic stress from the moment or the day to "go away" somewhat. It, in the form of Pot or other common social drug usages, is "psychologically" in the same class as Alcohol or even in their own different way, cigarettes. They are parts of some persons' tool boxes shielding them from the speed, stress, and "noise" of American brutal culture.

B). Though "professional" Pot smokers refuse to admit it, statistics and real world field tests show that being high on Pot makes you similarly dangerous behind the wheel of a car --- ex. the Pot drivers knock over just as many test cones as the drunks. Arguments that whereas drunks tend to drive too fast, potheads tend to drive too slow COULD be made, but in today's highspeed highways too slow might be as bad.

C). Whereas health dangers from THC are small for the typical healthy individual, there are types of people for whom it is VERY dangerous. These are folks with either age-related and/or diet-related narrowed blood vessels, or persons with genetic dispositions towards clogged arteries (ex hypercholesterolemics, hyperlipidproteinemics --- these sound rare but unfortunately are not) or have a history of stroke in the family. This is because THC is a more powerful venal constrictor than nicotine. You'd also be wise not to have Pot being smoked around a pregnant woman.

I've never smoked Pot nor even a cigarette (smoke in lungs is both uncomfortable and biologically just seems stupid to me, but others will weigh their own lives.) I have not felt the need to rely upon brain-altering chemicals (don't drink either) to "face Life" or "have a good time." Others may have more serious issues. I'm not judging circumstances that I do not understand. Because I AM willing to ingest Caffeine and Aspirin, I cannot be Holier-than-thou, so my attempt here has been only to set out facts as the literature sees them.

 

[NorthDakota]

Smoked with friends a few times, I couldn't inhale it though, so i never got high. The smell is unappealing. Whatever floats your boat I guess. I will say, about 75% of them quit smoking regularly, the ones who quit lead better lives (jobs, health, women) than the ones who somehow build their life around it.

I did eat a pot cookie and got completely messed up. A bite was supposed to do the trick. He didn't tell me until I had eaten two of the damn things.

I shouldn't judge, I enjoy alcohol very much. I also have a complicated relationship with chewing tobacco.

 

[Cackalacky]

My list of illicits as a teen and college is long and mostly hallucinogenic. Much less of a drinker then. I know ACamp said he cant see how one can be functioning on weed but ai am here to say I am one of those people. I was stoned for probably 10 years straight haha. I finished college, worked full time while in school, partied, graduated on time, got a job doing what I wanted at the time and then stopped everything. No problems. No issues I just stopped because of random drug testing policy and I was recently married and planning a kid. Havent touched anything in over 15 years.

I think it should totally be legal and well regulated and not in any sense criminal. I was actually fully functioning and fairly successful. My wife also liked me more when I was stoned. She said I was much more pleasant. Lol.

I should add that I apparently had undisgnosed anxiety onset as a teen and I was self medicating and it helped. Once I quit my anxiety and later insomnia became much more pronounced and I adapted to no sleep and intense anxiety for many years before seeking treatment. My doctor said i was a prime candidate for medicinal weed.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Where's NDOM when you need him?

My better half has a medical card but we only purchase edibles. IMO it's more relaxing and you don't have to smoke anything. I was going to get my card until I found out you cannot legally purchase firearms from an ffl if you have a card, which is utter horseshit! Even though there is no national database, I'm not going to knowingly lie on a federal background check.

Anyway, a few times a week after the little guy gets put to bed, we partake. For me, it's a great way to unwind and relax. They have these little fortune cookies that work just right.
Plus it makes the secks even better. She gets the full 2 minutes sometimes.

 

[woolybug25]

Where's NDOM when you need him?

My better half has a medical card but we only purchase edibles. IMO it's more relaxing and you don't have to smoke anything. I was going to get my card until I found out you cannot legally purchase firearms from an ffl if you have a card, which is utter horseshit! Even though there is no national database, I'm not going to knowingly lie on a federal background check.

Anyway, a few times a week after the little guy gets put to bed, we partake. For me, it's a great way to unwind and relax. They have these little fortune cookies that work just right.
Plus it makes the secks even better. She gets the full 2 minutes sometimes.

This is my life.

 

[phork]

I have not had a chance to read up on this much. Is it legal for sale and use or just use?

I know in DC (currently working here at the moment), recreational use/personal growing is permitted but there are no dispensaries that sell for recreational, only medicinal.

Wasn't sure if Canada was like Colorado in allowing full sale and use or if their laws have any unique provisions.

I believe once they work through the red tape it'll be like Colorado. I believe you can have up to 3 plants.

My wife's grandmother has (now terminal) cancer. Marijuana worked great for her... though she eventually went on prescribed opiates (morphine, etc.) which I honestly don't understand how that's mainstream/accepted and weed isn't. Opiates are basically heroine, and for people who are on a constant regime of them to manage chronic pain it's not good. When she stopped taking them after an extended period of use she went into withdrawls and almost died.

Drugs are a weird thing. I take no medication unless I absolutely have to. I'm talking about minor over-the-counter stuff like Aleve, too. Just don't like putting those kind of substances in my body. When I was prescribed Percocet after my shoulder surgery in college I took one and never another because it made me feel weird AF. Just decided to deal with the pain as is. Like any good lacrosse player, I've smoked my fair share of weed as a social thing. I stopped after my freshman year at ND because someone I knew got in serious trouble and I didn't think it was worth the risk. Since then I've come to the conclusion that it's not any worse than drinking, and I think it should be culturally acceptable... I just (personally) won't partake. I look forward to checking out this Yahoo feature when I have time and seeing what conclusions they come to, thank you for posting.

My wife recently went to a conference on medicinal marijuana and man it was interesting as hell.

Side bar: My dad's Dr. has prescribed him every pain opiate you can imagine for his fibromyalgia and other issues. He functions on Percs, Oxys and other stuff daily. Yes they mask the pain, but cloud his head. My dad was a very sharp individual and its sad to watch him fall into this state. We have been trying to get him to try it but he keeps saying that when he tried it in the 60s it made him vomit and hallucinate badly. Tried to explain to him that its not the same.

Back to the conference. For the medical side of things, obviously the THC is removed, they grow different strains to help with different ailments. Mode of transport to the body is either by oil or by vaping (Less harsh than smoking). The videos of people with Parkinsons or seizures who take this are truly amazing.

I am with the rest of you. I take advil when needed, nothing more. The opiate crisis is bubbling just under the surface and now when dealers are selling fentynal deaths are going to be ridiculous.

In my younger days LSD was my entertainment of choice and then mushrooms when you could find them. Never had any crazy stuff go on. Don't regret a second of it.

 

[NDdomer2]

Added a few more articles.

Keep the stories coming fellas especially any that relate to the family Dynamics/stigmas of marijuana.

 

[ACamp1900]

My list of illicits as a teen and college is long and mostly hallucinogenic. Much less of a drinker then. I know ACamp said he cant see how one can be functioning on weed but ai am here to say I am one of those people. I was stoned for probably 10 years straight haha. I finished college, worked full time while in school, partied, graduated on time, got a job doing what I wanted at the time and then stopped everything. No problems. No issues I just stopped because of random drug testing policy and I was recently married and planning a kid. Havent touched anything in over 15 years.

I think it should totally be legal and well regulated and not in any sense criminal. I was actually fully functioning and fairly successful. My wife also liked me more when I was stoned. She said I was much more pleasant. Lol.

I should add that I apparently had undisgnosed anxiety onset as a teen and I was self medicating and it helped. Once I quit my anxiety and later insomnia became much more pronounced and I adapted to no sleep and intense anxiety for many years before seeking treatment. My doctor said i was a prime candidate for medicinal weed.

I failed to articulate something... I'm just saying that it's so pronounced the other way round for me that it's hard for me to relate to those stories,... not that I don't believe them or don't understand. I've had a smoke allergy for a number of years so I couldn't even if I wanted to these days but about five years back a good buddy, who is a pot smoker, gave me one of those medical card chocolates... I was in a festive mood and thought, 'why not?? I'm at home, safe, with friends...." And that was the last rational thought I remember having before blacking out completely a few hours later. Last time I've touched anything aside from alcohol.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

This is my life.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irish Insanity]

Where's NDOM when you need him?

My better half has a medical card but we only purchase edibles. IMO it's more relaxing and you don't have to smoke anything. I was going to get my card until I found out you cannot legally purchase firearms from an ffl if you have a card, which is utter horseshit! Even though there is no national database, I'm not going to knowingly lie on a federal background check.

Anyway, a few times a week after the little guy gets put to bed, we partake. For me, it's a great way to unwind and relax. They have these little fortune cookies that work just right.
Plus it makes the secks even better. She gets the full 2 minutes sometimes.

Wait, a full 2 minutes? Maybe its time I try it.

.

Back to the conference. For the medical side of things, obviously the THC is removed, they grow different strains to help with different ailments. Mode of transport to the body is either by oil or by vaping (Less harsh than smoking). The videos of people with Parkinsons or seizures who take this are truly amazing.

I'd be interested in more info on how it works with Parkinsons.

 

[phork]

Wait, a full 2 minutes? Maybe its time I try it.



I'd be interested in more info on how it works with Parkinsons.

(Video) Watch What Happens When A Man With Parkinson’s Takes Medical Marijuana For The First Time – Collective Evolution

 

[Irish#1]

Like Dshans, I had my first toke, shortly after graduating HS in 1970. I'd smoked once or twice a month, off and on with no real heavy use until I stopped around 1985. Haven't had any since.

There has been a push to make it legal since the late 60's. It appears that with the recent change in laws in some states, this movement is finally starting to get some traction. IMO POT should be legalized and sold just like cigarettes (anyone here remember when cigarettes were called fags?). The revenue stream would be welcomed.

I remember heading to a night club with a buddy of mine in the early 70's. I was driving. We were both partaking of the weed when he looks over at me and says, "You better speed up if you want to get there tonight". I replied I didn't want to get pulled over by the cops. He looks at me, points to the speedometer and says "Man, you're only going 20 MPH". I still get a chuckle out of that one.

 

[NDdomer2]

Someone embed for me

https://youtu.be/sBjNpZ5t9S4

 

[arahop]

You felt more "out of control" as in you couldn't control the high as well as drinking? Did you ever consider that was because you were/are more experienced with alcohol? I can say with a straight face that I am far more in control of my actions and decisions with weed than alcohol. It's not even close. Give me a few shots of tequila and I might take my clothes off in a public place. I smoke too much weed and the only thing I pose a danger to is a bag of Doritos.

I couldn't agree more. Im of the thinking that cannabis is way less harmful tham drinking.. Ive seen a lot of people become not like their self drinking. Nevee saw someone get violent just under the the influence of cannabis

 

[phork]

Added a few more articles.

Keep the stories coming fellas especially any that relate to the family Dynamics/stigmas of marijuana.

There is a story on CNN on how Melissa Etheridge smokes with her 18 and 21 year old kids.

Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids - CNN.com

 

[Irish#1]

There is a story on CNN on how Melissa Etheridge smokes with her 18 and 21 year old kids.

Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids - CNN.com

"Learned from David Crosby". Not sure why, but that made me laugh.

 

[NDdomer2]

There is a story on CNN on how Melissa Etheridge smokes with her 18 and 21 year old kids.

Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids - CNN.com

i think one of the links in the OP is about her too. I dont know why they arent showing up with the article titles

 

[PANDFAN]

smoke daily w/ my wife....relaxes me...makes sex even better...i only smoke after kids head to bed at night during the week and then i love smoking on weekends before doing outdoor work, hiking etc

really feels like an enhancement to whatever im doing but that's me

 

[IrishLion]

Don't you have a desire to get boozed up on microbrews? I see marijuana the same way. Some people may like bourbon, some beer, some weed. All buzzes of different feathers.

You felt more "out of control" as in you couldn't control the high as well as drinking? Did you ever consider that was because you were/are more experienced with alcohol? I can say with a straight face that I am far more in control of my actions and decisions with weed than alcohol. It's not even close. Give me a few shots of tequila and I might take my clothes off in a public place. I smoke too much weed and the only thing I pose a danger to is a bag of Doritos.

Will someone rep this man for me.

I'm currently catching up on the thread, so there may be more to come.

 

[IrishLion]

No doubt. One time I got wicked hammered on box sangria and scarfed down an Angus burger and large order of fries at the McDonald's on Michigan Street, not far from where you took your nap. My vomit was the most violent color purple you can imagine. That parking lot looked like it had a huge blood stain for about a year.

The nasty greasy late-night junk food is supposed to PREVENT YOU from puking.

 

[fightingirish26]

I failed to articulate something... I'm just saying that it's so pronounced the other way round for me that it's hard for me to relate to those stories,... not that I don't believe them or don't understand. I've had a smoke allergy for a number of years so I couldn't even if I wanted to these days but about five years back a good buddy, who is a pot smoker, gave me one of those medical card chocolates... I was in a festive mood and thought, 'why not?? I'm at home, safe, with friends...." And that was the last rational thought I remember having before blacking out completely a few hours later. Last time I've touched anything aside from alcohol.

For me at least, edibles make me way less functioning than a few bong rips

 

[IrishLion]

I don't usually partake, as my wife has a heart condition that prevents her from partaking (don't know the exact science, but probably something along the lines of what OMM was saying with the valve-restriction and whatnot), but our general group of friends generally partakes at the end of the night when we've been out, or been hanging around the fire pit and drinking some brews.

I'm an average, middle-class white dude in his mid-20's, and my friends are the same demographic. We all have jobs of varying degrees of success, but we all make pretty good money, and I would say that they are generally highly-motivated individuals, and some of the nicest people I've met, and they all support themselves and/or their significant others.

It just so happens that they partake of some marijuana whenever the fire pit is lit, or whenever we're back on the front porch after the soccer match or baseball game we went to as a group. None of them are lazy. None of them were trouble makers in high school or college. A few come from wealthy families and now support themselves.

Everything we learned about weed in DARE in 5th grade was pretty much false/wrong.

As Wooly and LAX mentioned earlier, the only problem with weed is that you are forced into associations in trying to procure it that you shouldn't be... but even THAT isn't totally correct, depending on where you're from. It's not legal in Ohio or Kentucky, and there are certainly some shady places you can go in the Greater Cincinnati area to land some trees, but you are far more likely to find an average dude/woman selling it that doesn't pose a risk to anyone, and won't try to also sell you crack or heroine.

 

[NDdomer2]

For me at least, edibles make me way less functioning than a few bong rips

I believe the only way to OD on marijuana is thru ingestion. Edibles are a different beast than smoking because they can have varying degrees of strength from one to the other.

 

[NDdomer2]

I don't usually partake, as my wife has a heart condition that prevents her from partaking (don't know the exact science, but probably something along the lines of what OMM was saying with the valve-restriction and whatnot), but our general group of friends generally partakes at the end of the night when we've been out, or been hanging around the fire pit and drinking some brews.

I'm an average, middle-class white dude in his mid-20's, and my friends are the same demographic. We all have jobs of varying degrees of success, but we all make pretty good money, and I would say that they are generally highly-motivated individuals, and some of the nicest people I've met, and they all support themselves and/or their significant others.

It just so happens that they partake of some marijuana whenever the fire pit is lit, or whenever we're back on the front porch after the soccer match or baseball game we went to as a group. None of them are lazy. None of them were trouble makers in high school or college. A few come from wealthy families and now support themselves.

Everything we learned about weed in DARE in 5th grade was pretty much false/wrong.

As Wooly and LAX mentioned earlier, the only problem with weed is that you are forced into associations in trying to procure it that you shouldn't be... but even THAT isn't totally correct, depending on where you're from. It's not legal in Ohio or Kentucky, and there are certainly some shady places you can go in the Greater Cincinnati area to land some trees, but you are far more likely to find an average dude/woman selling it that doesn't pose a risk to anyone, and won't try to also sell you crack or heroine.

I think those opposed to marijuana or who have had no or limited interactions with marijuana would be floored to know how many high functioning, successful, adults are regular users.

The stigmas still are deeply embedded.

 

[IrishLion]

I think those opposed to marijuana or who have had no or limited interactions with marijuana would be floored to know how many high functioning, successful, adults are regular users.

The stigmas still are deeply embedded.

It's true.

I even kind of feel bad saying, "they smoke on the regular when we have music on and play pool while drinking beer, but I promise they're good people!" because why WOULDN'T they be good people? Just because they smoke weed? That's stereotyping.

Subconsciously needing to defend their character in reference to a recreational activity is a problem, but one that is slowly shifting.

 

[Old Man Mike]

FWIW: I surveyed the literature in a scanning sort of way, and it would not paint quite the optimistic vision of the usefulness of pot vs Parkinson's that many here seem to be citing. (I understand the multiple motivations, but with things as serious as Parkinson's maybe Science has a role.)

A few comments:
A). Parkinson's is complicated and itself not well understood. When you're dealing with an un-understood Brain illness, you MIGHT even be dealing with some diagnoses which aren't even of the same thing (i.e. a medical person diagnoses "Parkinson's" but the actual Brain neural degeneration or chemical imbalance producing similar symptomatic results have different basic causes --- Dopamine production, and its synaptic activity, is for instance governed by several sorts of mechanisms.)
B). Because of "A", different Brains are different, and they will differ in their responses to alien chemicals forced into them --- the body views all medicines initially as poisons. Some brains will get something "good" out of the ingestion; some may well not. The "goods" may be physical (chemical/hormonal, even healing assists) or may be psychological (placebo, wannabee "better", or just liking the THC high.)
C). Because of all that, any testing which doesn't really have anything solid to measure, and which counts on "self-reported" short term "feelings of improvement", are particularly weak testimonies --- almost as weak as the "I know a guy..." or You-Tube "proof" style arguments. Only about a handful (four by 2014) tests of THC vs Parkinson's have been done --- very mixed results from improvements to nothing at all. Unfortunately all of these tests were badly flawed, but the ones with blind test groups for comparison (the slightly better ones, therefore) were the least positive. The up side, if there is one, is that none of the tests showed obvious deleterious effects either.
D). A LOT more work needs to be done on this and the medical research community knows it. Anecdotal pseudo-evidence should not be viewed cavalierly --- it could easily turn out to be not only wrong, but significantly wrong for individual brains. We SHOULD go all-out in pursuit of whether this might work in more than a way analogous to drinking a lot of alcohol might temporarily make one feel better despite doing nothing to "cure" your real problems. Messing with brain chemistry is no joke or at least shouldn't be. Worse would be messing with brain chemistry in an already weakened brain, but saying instead "what-the-He!l let's just take a chance."


... of the easily found sites, Michael Fox's is probably the sanest on this topic that's also readable.


P.S. to my knowledge it is not possible to overdose (in the normal clinical sense of that word) on "marijuana." Perhaps concentrated THC might reach the point of shutting down critical brain hormone levels, but probably not. A particular person MIGHT kill themselves by shrinking blood vessels and having a stroke, but that is not the normal definition of "overdose."