Posted by JohnL on January 1, 2001, at 17:20:48
In reply to Re: cannabis » dennis, posted by r.anne on December 31, 2000, at 2:56:06
> I think it can cause lung cancer worse than regular tobacco. If they use it for those who are dying of cancer, it might be okay because they are dying anyways (and I mean the terminal ones). It is not an antidepressant-it may be a depressant but I'm not sure on that. It causes many people to have more anxiety. I know it makes some laugh a lot which could also be good for the terminally ill. It has a lot of bad effects like harming reproductiveness.
There are countless versions of cannabis. Some give a body type sedative high, a couch potato kind of thing, or great for bedtime. Others are just the opposite, with a cerebral pick-you-up kind of high, good for artists or creativeness. And there are a zillion hybrids combining both the sedative and the uplifting characteristics in various degrees.
I think it definitely has a place as an insomnia cure, assuming it's the sedative kind. It also could be a motivational cure for certain types of depression, assuming it was the inspirational type of cannabis. And it has a place as an aphrodisiac to overcome lack of desire and overcome impotence. I believe cannabis holds strong medicinal value in psychotherapy, used on an as-needed basis. But again, it's hit and miss to find the right strain of cannabis to get the desired result. The wrong type could just exaggerate existing problems. Tolerance builds quickly for many people though, so if it was used like a medicine it would be best to do so just once a day and not overindulge.
Of course it could also actually cause depression with chronic heavy use. A couple decades ago that happened to me. And during those times when there isn't any available, look out for a serious depression.
The real problem is that when one buys a supply they never really know what type of cannabis they're getting. It might be the heart-pounding paranoid type, when maybe the person was hoping for the relaxing anti-anxiety type instead. The differences between different strains are dramatic. Not all cannabis is the same. They are amazingly different. And of course, if one gets caught then their previous problems all of a sudden seem rather tame in comparison to the jailcell.
I think cannabis has its place. But it's not easy. One must first isolate the strain of cannabis that suits them, and then find a way to grow just that one strain for an endless supply, and never get caught.
I know someone who visited Amsterdam. He said they purchased samples of pot at a coffeehouse, sat on the outdoor patio smoking it, and even had strolling police officers passing by wave and give a nod. Incredible how it's so safe in one country and yet so criminal in another.
From my own experience decades ago, I think cannabis smokers are the safest drivers on the road. Just the opposite of alcohol drinkers on the road. Cannabis drivers tend to be much more careful and drive at or below the speed limit. There's a certain paranoia factor with certain types of smoke that tends to keep the driver occupied intensely on the road.
Just some rambling thoughts on cannabis. It's been many years since I smoked, and I still miss it. I know from experience that if finding the right prescription drug is hard, finding the right pot is even harder. It's just not reliable, safe, or legal.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:50629
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50687.html