Forget The President, What About The Marijuana?

[Mark of the Cross]

[b] Effects of cannabis[/b]

The effects of any drug (including cannabis) vary from person to person. How cannabis affects a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken around the same time. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken.
[b]There is no safe level of drug use. [/b]Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
[b] Immediate effects [/b]
[list]
[*]loss of inhibition

[*]spontaneous laughter

[*]quiet and reflective mood

[*]affected perception including sound, colour and other sensations

[*]confusion

[*]altered thinking and memory

[*]anxiety

[*]mild paranoia
[/list]
[list]
[*]altered vision

[*]reddened/bloodshot eyes

[*]relaxation

[*]sleepiness

[*]reduced coordination and balance

[*]increased heart rate

[*]low blood pressure

[*]increased appetite.
[/list]
[b] Low to moderate doses[/b]

Low to moderate doses of cannabis can produce effects that last 2 to 4 hours after smoking. The effects of ingested (eaten) cannabis usually start within 1 hour. Some of the effects include:
[b] Higher doses[/b]
[list]
[*]confusion

[*]restlessness

[*]excitement

[*]hallucinations
[/list]
[list]
[*]anxiety or panic

[*]detachment from reality

[*]decreased reaction time

[*]paranoia.
[/list]
[b] Long-term effects [/b]

Long-term cannabis use can have many effects on an individual:
[b]Brain:[/b] Impaired concentration, memory and learning ability.[b] [/b]

[b]Lungs:[/b] Smoking cannabis can result in a sore throat, asthma and bronchitis.[b] [/b]
[b]Hormones: [/b]Cannabis can affect hormone production. Research shows that some cannabis users have a lowered sex drive. Irregular menstrual cycles and lowered sperm counts have also been reported.[b] [/b]
[b]Immune system:[/b] There is some concern that cannabis smoking may impair the functioning of the immune system.[b] [/b][b] [/b][b] [/b]
[b]Mental health:[/b] Cannabis use, especially heavy and regular use, may be linked to a condition known as a “drug-induced psychosis”, or “cannabis psychosis”.
There is some evidence that regular cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychotic symptoms in people who are already vulnerable due to a personal or family history of mental illness. Cannabis also appears to make psychotic symptoms worse for people with schizophrenia, and using cannabis can lower the chances of recovery from a psychotic episode.

Source [url="http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=COut6PvRwLMCFWY8pgodVxwApQ"]Australian drug foundation.[/url]

Edited November 9, 2012 by Mark of the Cross

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='Anomaly' timestamp='1352421473' post='2506764']
Catholics always can justify just about anything. Just disagree based on your personal interpretation, note the Chirch did not speak infallibly, and wa-la, your conscience is golden. Pro pot, anti pot. Etc. etc. just as long as you don't masterbate or eat beef on Fridays.
[/quote]
are you talking about voting for a pro abortion candidate or pot use?

oh wait..nvrmnd..

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='MIkolbe' timestamp='1352421787' post='2506769']
are you talking about voting for a pro abortion candidate or pot use?

oh wait..nvrmnd..
[/quote]
And maybe we now know who masterbates and eats beef on Fridays.

I just realised something. That list of effects from Mj is the same as what I get from posting on Phatmass! especially the spontainious laughter!

[Cherie]

[quote name='zabbazooey' timestamp='1352418593' post='2506742']
I just think it's crazy that doctors are prescribing Adderall, Ritalin, Xanax, painkillers like candy. But marijuana, a freaking PLANT grown out of the ground, that has no way of killing you (as a primary cause, such as overdose), and in most cases no addictive properties, is ILLEGAL.
[/quote]

I think it's odd that people assume just because it's a plant that it is somehow "natural" or not bad for you. As an aspiring herbalist, I know that many plants used for treating remedies can cause all sorts of negative effects, sometimes serious. And where do you think the components of many drugs come from? So yeah...just because it's a "freaking plant" doesn't mean it can't be dangerous.

[zabbazooey]

I've read up on my cannabis. Other than feeling a little dopey afterwards and short term memory effects from abuse (which, in some studies, the effects go away after abstinence), the risk of lung cancer if you choose to smoke it (now they make lollipops, lozenges, butter, and of course BROWNIES! ) it is much safer than a lot of other legal substances. Like booze. Prescription drugs. Whatever else, ya know.

[Jesus_lol]

EFFECTS LIST # Alcohol.

POSITIVE
relaxation
mood lift, happiness, giddiness
increased sociability
lowered inhibitions / reduced social anxiety
analgesia (kills pain)

NEUTRAL
slurred speech
flushed skin
drowsiness, sleepiness
nystagmus, difficulty focusing eyes
changed (often increased) response to sexual stimuli
tolerance with repeated use within a few days
changed aesthetic appreciation: normally beautiful things can seem ugly, things normally seen as ugly judged beautiful.
mild visual distortions at high doses


NEGATIVE
(negative side effects increase with higher doses)
decreased coordination
nausea, vomiting (vomiting while unconscious can kill)
reduced impulse control
emotional volatility (anger, violence, sadness, etc)
reduced ability to attain/maintain erection in most males
increased difficulty in achieving orgasm in some females
frequent urination (more with beer or wine), diuretic effect
dizziness and confusion
blackouts and memory loss at high doses
coma and death at extreme doses
brain and liver damage (cirrhosis) with heavy use
lowered inhibitions and increased confusion can lead to unwanted and negative sexual encounters (date rape)
hangover, lasting 12-36 hours, from mild to severe after heavy use
fetal damage in pregnant women at high dose or frequency
Withdrawal after long term use/addiction can cause severe health problems and/or death.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='Ice_nine' timestamp='1352419887' post='2506748']



There are a lot of things that "alter the mind," and so that vague label isn't really at all helpful. Caffeine is a psychoactive substance, it quite literally alters your mind (increased concentration among other qualities ) but are these effects too minor or just more acceptable "alterations" than the the effect of other drugs (minus the beloved alcohol and nicotine)? I mean, smoking a joint does not make you see unicorns or devils. If it does, there's probably something else in there or you might be precipitating schizophrenia.

I don't think people of your persuasion actually know what marijuana does in terms of its mind-alteration (with the exception of anomaly). Sure some people may get a little hippie-dippy and like use it to divine energies and "poo", but for me and many, many others (the drug is becoming more mainstream now)
who use it the "mind alteration" isn't as scary or radical. It can induce a euphoric state (is that sinful?), it can decrease short-term memory WHILE you're under the influence (sinful?), it can augme. nt your senses (sinful?), make you sleepy (sinful?) . . .

so I'm asking. You say "how they alter the mind" is the crux of the issue but that's just a catch-all phrase that is useless to me. Let's get into the specifics and talk real talk.
[/quote]

I'm saying... what Apo said and even a little bit of what MIkolbe said.

The Church says no. The Holy Father does not approve.

Roma locuta est, causa finita est.

[Anomaly]

[quote name='Mark of the Cross' timestamp='1352422105' post='2506771']

And maybe we now know who masterbates and eats beef on Fridays.

I just realised something. That list of effects from Mj is the same as what I get from posting on Phatmass! especially the spontainious laughter!
[/quote] I save Fridays for beef tacos.

[Anomaly]

Jesus lulz,
Are there any potential dangers if pot is used or abused?

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' timestamp='1352428861' post='2506880']
I'm saying... [...] and [size=8]even a little bit of what MIkolbe said.[/size]
[/quote]

there's bobsledding in hades? wha....

[Ice_nine]

[quote name='MIkolbe' timestamp='1352420082' post='2506750']
these ain't no church documents...

but it seems like the Popes have messed up the rotation...





This articles comes from a (shall we say) publication that really likes water pipes, but not just for plumbing.

I really don't feel comfortable posting the link here.

(granted, alot of the article is very, ummm, animated and creative about the role of the church and marijuana through the ages)

But even if they get all these other facts wrong...and tremendously wrong; would they really be so stupid to think the Church approves or is ambiguous about marijuana use? Wouldn't it be in their interests to find the Church as an ally if there was any possibility (regardless how slight) that the Church taught anything except seeing marijuana use as morally bad?

I am not arguing if it's addictive, bad for you, alters your mindset, or any of that... it just seems the Church steps flat-footed here, with little, if any ambiguity...

which pretty much smells of very rotten elderberries for everyone...

but it is what it is...
[/quote]

I've read the article before, and I also remember reading the actual words of JPII that they were referring to. From what I remember (my memory is a bit fuzzy, from years of time passing not from smoking the reefer) a lot of the condemnation was predicated on the pitfalls of the drug counter-culture, and the dangers that drugs can help cause/reinforce the dangerous beliefs/ideology AND because the potential for abuse. I'm searching for it again so I can give it another read through.

But to answer your question as to whether said group of drug users would benefit from finding an ally in the church . . . probably not. This brand of folk tends to think religion is lame and that adherents are mindless sheep who swallow lies and propaganda and live in fear. Therein lies part of the problem. How can the church approach the issue of drug use without considering how integral it is to a counter-culture that is typically atheistic or new age and based on rebellion? It can't, and so the issue of actual substance use is rarely if ever separated from these cultural correlates when the church discusses them, which becomes a real problem when trying to determine the morality of use by itself.

[quote name='Anomaly' timestamp='1352421473' post='2506764']
Catholics always can justify just about anything. Just disagree based on your personal interpretation, note the Chirch did not speak infallibly, and wa-la, your conscience is golden. Pro pot, anti pot. Etc. etc. just as long as you don't masterbate or eat beef on Fridays.
[/quote]

ikr! so gr8.

[quote name='KnightofChrist' timestamp='1352428861' post='2506880']
The Church says no. The Holy Father does not approve.

Roma locuta est, causa finita est.
[/quote]

says "no" to what? Drug use? Drug abuse? Because if it's the former then why don't all psychoactive substances fall under the supposed ban?

[dUSt]

If the full legalization of marijuana ever becomes a reality I imagine that tobacco companies would get in on the action and you'd start to see stuff like "contains 10% marijuana" or similar. In fact, laws would probably be put in place to limit the potency that could be legally sold--just like the limits with alcohol. Capitalism would naturally put today's marijuana growers out of business and 100% pure marijuana would probably be limited to the "home growers".

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='dUSt' timestamp='1352449812' post='2507028']
If the full legalization of marijuana ever becomes a reality I imagine that tobacco companies would get in on the action and you'd start to see stuff like "contains 10% marijuana" or similar. In fact, laws would probably be put in place to limit the potency that could be legally sold--just like the limits with alcohol. Capitalism would naturally put today's marijuana growers out of business and 100% pure marijuana would probably be limited to the "home growers".
[/quote]
That sounds plausible. I do not doubt that marijuana will be legalized at some point in the next ten to twenty years. Sadly, it will be just another sign, one of many, that the Catholic Church is in decline in the United States.

[Guest]

In the late 1800's Pope Leo XIII endorsed cocaine wine and carried a flask of it....So cocaine (at the time it was legal ) and hard liquor are ok, supported, and not "mind altering" but a plant that God calls good in the Bible, a plant God says CAN be used for food, and is far less harmful then alcohol is the same as me going out and doing crack...Hmmmm I don't know if that adds up....

Edited November 9, 2012 by Guest

[Guest]

If marijuana does get legalized and the Church came out and said its for sure a mortal sin to use it I don't know if I could with a good conscience remaain catholic. And right now I don't even smoke. So its not about me wanting to "get high". Its more about what the Bible says and how if the Church came out with this stance offically it would be directly contradicting the word of God. Because God clearly says in the Bible that every seed bearing plant is GOOD and CAN be used for food. The Bible even talks about "spirtual" foods. So again this isn't just about "smoking" weed with me. Apostle Paul over and over again stresses about our freedom in Christ. He reminds us to not let anyone judge us on matters of food and drink. Further he says do not comdemn yourself for something that you know is good and you approve. And in matters of food and drink nothing is unclean in and of itself to those who know the truth and give thanks to God.

Edited November 9, 2012 by Guest

[Guest]

At about the age of 20 when I had lost my faith completly I was lost. I would drink often back then an when I didn't drink I would often smoke marijuana. Anyhow to make a long story short every time I ended up smoking around that time of my life I was hit with the overwhleming sensation to go and read my unused Bible I got at first communion. Over the next six months I read that entire Bible. That Bible is worn out from that time period. You can tell I read that thing front to back and certain parts over and over from how worn out it was. But everytime I would smoke that's what I felt so prompted to do. Not go out to the club or bars or whatever which I would get the urge to do from alcohol. Anyhow this ended up leading me back to my faith and eventually finding phatmass and coming back to my catholic faith. Marijuana is a holy plant. Can it be abused and become sinfull ? Sure. But in and of itself its good and from God. And my experience with it has been more then postive. Nevermind all the medical benefits it can provide to the sick. I wonder what the Tree of Life is in Heaven desribed in revelations that is used for medecine given to us by the Most High ? Not sayin its marijuana but I'm not sayin its not either.

Edited November 9, 2012 by Guest

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Delivery Boy' timestamp='1352453653' post='2507054']
If marijuana does get legalized and the Church came out and said its for sure a mortal sin to use it I don't know if I could with a good conscience remaain catholic.
[/quote]
The Church has already said that using cannabis is a mortal sin, so I do not know what to tell you, other than the fact that I find your choice of marijuana over Christ to be sad. As for myself, I know I would never choose anything over Christ. He has never abandoned me, and so I will never abandon Him.

Edited November 9, 2012 by Apotheoun

[Guest]

no they haven't clown....

[Guest]

[mod]personal attack[/mod]

Edited November 9, 2012 by Guest

[Guest]

I'm glad people like you and knight for christ lost ur militant tags....really happy about that...The Holy Spirit had to be behind that...

Edited November 9, 2012 by Guest