Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.
NORML wrote:Marijuana use is not marijuana abuse. According to the US Institute of Medicine’s 1999 Report: "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," "Millions of Americans have tried marijuana, but most are not regular users, … [and] few marijuana users become dependent on it."[49] In fact, less than 10 percent of marijuana users ever exhibit symptoms of dependence (as defined by the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-III-R criteria.)[50] By comparison 15 percent of alcohol users, 17 percent of cocaine users, and a whopping 32 percent of cigarette smokers statistically exhibit symptoms of drug dependence.[51]
Marijuana is well recognized as lacking the so-called "dependence liability" of other substances. According to the IOM, "Experimental animals that are given the opportunity to self administer cannabinoids generally do not choose to do so, which has led to the conclusion that they are not reinforcing or rewarding."[52] Among humans, most marijuana users voluntarily cease their marijuana smoking by their late 20s or early 30s – often citing health or professional concerns and/or the decision to start a family.[53] Contrast this pattern with that of the typical tobacco smoker – many of whom begin as teens and continue smoking daily the rest of their lives.
That's not to say that some marijuana smokers do not become psychologically dependent on marijuana or find quitting difficult. But a comprehensive study released this fall by the Canadian Senate concluded that this dependence "is less severe and less frequent than dependence on other psychotropic substances, including alcohol and tobacco."[54] Observable withdrawal symptoms attributable to marijuana are also exceedingly rare. According to the Institute of Medicine, these symptoms are "mild and short lived"[55] compared to the profound physical withdrawal symptoms of other drugs, such as alcohol or heroin, and unlikely to persuade former smokers to re-initiate their marijuana use.[56]
Sorry dude but those dont convince me either. Mabye in stubborn, but even if marijuana addiction is "less severe" or "less frequent" I still view it as addictive even if it is to a small degree.
It's psychologically addictive. I don't think even you can debate that. The VAST majority of pot users don't have any problem, but just like anything, you can become dependant on it. If it starts taking over your life, you should probably lay off it for a bit.
That's how my good friend is .. he's been smoking weed almost daily since he was in highschool and he's now 23 so 8-9 years of regular weed-a-day has made him a little off in the head. He's a sweetheart but you can tell after speaking to him for a few minutes that he's done a lot of drugs. Going without it for more than a day will have him very moody, antsy, almost to the point of shaking because he wants to smoke it so bad. I wouldn't say he needs it or he's necessarily addicted to it .. it's just what he's used too and part of his life now. Trust me, at 4:20 everyday I know what he's doing
^^i agree with you. i usually end up doing both. i always say to myself "i'm only gonna drink" or "i'm only gonna smoke", but it rarely ends up that way. if i had to pick one, i'd say i like smoking weed better. definately. drinking is fun and all, but smoking is better.
you have to, you just have to trust me
whoever i was then i can't ever be again
the faith you've found i've never felt
the terror held in wedding bells
the comfort in "there's no one else"
the truth be told, i'm never going to know
For all those new tokers out there, make sure you take it in SLOWLY...otherwise you are asking for a coughing fit. I preferred the bong when I first started.........but a nice big J can be the best.......just to have to toke professionally. Its like sex........you don't just rush in......it takes time........and technique.
The Other Matt wrote:For all those new tokers out there, make sure you take it in SLOWLY...otherwise you are asking for a coughing fit. I preferred the bong when I first started.........but a nice big J can be the best.......just to have to toke professionally. Its like sex........you don't just rush in......it takes time........and technique.
bongs fuckin kill my throat
you have to, you just have to trust me
whoever i was then i can't ever be again
the faith you've found i've never felt
the terror held in wedding bells
the comfort in "there's no one else"
the truth be told, i'm never going to know
the first time i did it i kept coughing up a lung .. my friend who's been doing it since highschool still coughs to this day .. but he tries to hold it in as long as possible and takes huge tokes .. i just can't inhale properly
I've never tried either... Therefore I guess I can't say much about either...
I can't wait until the day schools are over-funded and the military is forced to hold bake sales to buy planes.
"It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. Makes you wonder what else you can do that you've forgotten about"
