Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfsong
I also know that you cant be sure that cannabis is the reason for the increase in mental problems in certain individuals – they could have gotten them anyway, but it is known to increase the severity, and the fact that people with no mental health issues in the family, no hormone/chemical imbalances prior to drug use, and no environmental factors that could be responsible, are more likely to get these conditions (someone I am extremely close to became a schizophrenic and followed the above reasoning – they smoked pot since the age of 12.) If it was at all a possibility to prevent this by stopping them from having smoked pot whilst their brain was developing then I will happily clutch at straws – it’s a humiliating, hurtful disorder, to the person inflicted as well as those that have to sit around not being able to make them better.
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With respect, this isn't a very logical approach. The 'gateway' argument is of the reasons why I'm very much in the middle ground when it comes to cannabis. The theory, as you've stated it, is that the drug can cause physical and/or physiological dependency in the user, the user becomes steadily acclimatized to the drug's effects, therefore the user becomes open to other types of drugs in order to reach the 'high'. The problem is, the main evidence cited for this is that some people who may have smoked marijuana end up on very hard drugs. Or, to take your example (which I incidentally have a lot of sympathy with), someone you know has developed schizophrenia after smoking marijuana for years. This is simplistic and circular logic: the theory is used to interpret the evidence, which is in turn the main evidence cited to support the theory. It lacks justification, but is very neat and simple, so it catches on as credible logic, when it isn't.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfsong
It’s not long ago that people were saying cigarettes were not harmful to health, and that studies showed there was no correlation. We are only just beginning to truly learn about what drugs do to our systems, and cannabis is being manufactured to be stronger and more potent than before – some even add things to make it more addictive, or spike it with other drugs. ... The point about gateway drugs is relevant because of the context it was being mentioned in, and the inevitable discussion subsequent to this– the reasons why the police are being so hard on ‘casual drug use’ and these ‘soft drugs’. Whether reports show trends in this or not, it is a possibility – and if you lived where I lived, you’d see how much so.
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As you probably know, the link between cigarettes and lung cancer could be considered technically unproven, if you speak to some scientists about it. This is because we cannot ethically conduct randomized experiments over this (apart from a few lab rats), wherein 50% of the population is asked to smoke, and 50% is asked not to smoke, and 50 years later we compare the results. You're talking about case-control studies here, and scientifically speaking that's fine (hell, it's what I
do), but when applied to your statement, this is what occurs in my mind:
Two variables can be associated without having a causal relationship, for example, because a third variable is the true cause of the "original" independent and dependent variable. For example, there is a statistical correlation over the past fifty years between the use of marijuana and rock and roll. Does this mean marijuana is responsible for music? No. The correlation occurs statistically because the past fifty years have seen an explosion in the record industry and related media output, causing both marijuana consumption and music production to increase. Thus, correlation does NOT imply causation. Other factors besides cause and effect can create the illusion of an observed correlation.
Going from your post, you may be in what is colloquially referred to as a 'bad area'. In these so-called 'bad areas', people turn to drugs because of a myriad of issues, all of which are interrelated and the effects of which are well documented: lack of job opportunities, poor parenting, the cycle of poverty, etc. These are all very difficult issues. Statistically speaking, when drugs are singled out for blame and the law is enforced to its highest degree, unless the other factors are addressed as well, the cycle of poverty and societal decline continues.
If you want to see the other side of possibilities as far as drug policies around the world have gone, look at Switzerland:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/dru...p/switzerland/
An noteworthy exerpt from that link, with my added 'bolded' text, is this:
Heroin
Among other activities, the Federal Council asked for a study on heroin assisted treatment for chronic heroin addicts who had failed at other treatment programs. In 1992, the Council passed an order authorizing clinical trials involving the
medical prescription of heroin, along with a strict scientific evaluation of the trials. A 1997 evaluation of the trials concluded that:
- heroin assisted treatment for severely dependent heroin addicts improved their physical and/or psychic health, as well as their quality of life (in terms of housing, work and other areas);
- participants’ illegal use of heroin and cocaine decreased;
- the users involved in the program committed fewer crimes (the incidence of theft and property and drug trafficking offences fell sharply).
The Federal Council followed the report’s recommendations, and on March 8, 1999 authorized heroin maintenance treatment, setting objectives, eligibility criteria, administrative measures and providing for such treatment.
Marijuana
The Federal Commission for Drug Issues was tasked with evaluating marijuana law in Switzerland and released the Cannabis Report in 1999. Although technically illegal as a drug, marijuana production (agricultural and private) and distribution in the form of stores specializing in the sale of “hemp” products are found throughout the country. The report pointed out that marijuana cultivation in Switzerland had greatly increased during the 1990s and that most of the crop was destined for the illegal market rather than the legal one (e.g. as a renewable raw material for textile production). According to an investigation in all cantons, hashish was mainly sold on the street while marijuana was being sold more and more through hemp shops as “aromatic pillows.”
Following are some of the conclusions of the Cannabis Report:
- It is considered that the effect of marijuana does not depend only on its composition, dosage or mode of consumption but also on the user’s state of mind, expectations and the atmosphere at the time.
- Acute toxicity of marijuana is generally considered to be rare. A psychotic state may appear after use of high doses of marijuana. Reassurance is often enough to calm the person down.
- The ability to drive a motor vehicle is impaired for two to four hours (maximum eight hours) after using marijuana. Users often over-estimate the effect of marijuana on their ability to drive a motor vehicle and therefore concentrate more intensely and drive more slowly. It was also proven that in 80% of accidents where THC was found in the plasma of the responsible parties, their alcohol level was also positive.
- The “amotivational” syndrome, which entails personality change, neglect of one’s appearance and general disinterest displayed by habitual marijuana users, was never confirmed.
- The use of marijuana may lead to psychological dependence. The tendency towards physical dependence is, however, very low.
- It is advisable to abstain from marijuana, tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy.
- The human immune system is relatively resistant to the immunosuppressive effects of cannabinoids and research results support the therapeutic use of delta 9 THC in patients whose immune system has already been weakened by other diseases (AIDS, cancer).
The Federal Commission noted that the drug policies of the different cantons varied with respect to minor offenses of marijuana dealing and use. The general trend in the courts, however, was to soften penalties involving personal use. In 10 of the 26 cantons police had adopted a differentiated practice, in that marijuana users were tolerated as opposed to users of other illegal substances. Following detailed consideration of the different options, the Federal Commission unanimously recommended the elaboration of a model which not only removes the prohibition of consumption and possession but also makes it possible for marijuana to be purchased lawfully. This model was approved by Swiss Senate in December 2001, without opposition. Approval by the House of Representatives is pending. A majority of Swiss citizens support ending marijuana prohibition. Should the issue be put to a national referendum it would likely pass.
What is noteworthy about the study is that the word 'gateway' doesn't appear above, and neither does any reference the notion of opening the floodgates of mental illness. There are obvious drawbacks to society and the individual in the habitual use of cannabis, but there are also a lot of good things that can occur. Both sides are very clearly stated, and it's balanced and it's authoritative, which makes it credible and believable, and most of all,
not frightening. By taking an approach that attemps to deal with the problem within the society, rather than abject condemnation and abstinence-only programs, real progress and benefit to society is shown to be possible.
