What is your opinion on the merry jane?

It is a drug and is thus addictive. Lots of science backing that up. However, it is no worse than alcohol or tobacco, so I dont get why it is banned.

Budney, A., Wiley, J. (2001). Can marijuana use lead to marijuana dependence?. Animal research and human health: Advancing human welfare through behavioral science (pp. 115-126). Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/10441-008. Like more commonly known drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine and heroine), marijuana interacts with brain neurochemical pathways that underlie all addictive behaviors. This chapter concludes that marijuana contains an addictive drug, and its use should be taken more seriously than it is.

Miller, N., Gold, M. (1989). The diagnosis of marijuana (Cannabis) dependence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 6(3), 183-192. doi:10.1016/0740-5472(89)90005-6. Defines marihuana (MAR) dependence as (1) preoccupation with its acquisition, (2) compulsive use, and (3) relapse to or recurrent use. Medical, psychiatric, neurological, traumatic, and sociological sequelae occur commonly in acute and chronic MAR use. MAR dependence must be diagnosed primarily as the etiological agent to adequately prevent and treat these conditions. Consequences of the MAR addiction should be separated from the addict’s actual motivation or craving to use MAR. MAR reinforces its own use; psychosocial stressors are not required to produce a MAR addiction in biologically susceptible individuals. A definitive diagnosis confirms the presence of addictive behavior by identifying a preoccupation, compulsivity, and relapse relative to the drug.

Harms, E. (1972). The three types of marijuana dependencies. British Journal of Addiction, 67(4), 291-296. Differentiates 3 forms of marihuana use-intoxicative, social, and addiction-and discusses their corresponding motivating factors. Examples of each type are presented, and suggestions are made for specific therapy techniques.

Budney, A., Novy, P., Hughes, J. (1999). Marijuana withdrawal among adults seeking treatment for marijuana dependence. Addiction, 94(9), 1311-1322. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.1999.94913114.x. This study documented the incidence and severity of perceived marijuana withdrawal symptoms in a clinical sample of marijuana-dependent adults. 54 people seeking outpatient treatment for marijuana dependence completed a 22-item Marijuana Withdrawal Symptom checklist based on their most recent period of marijuana abstinence. The majority (57%) indicated that they had experienced ≥6 symptoms of at least moderate severity and 47% experienced ≥4 symptoms rated as severe. Withdrawal severity was greater in those with psychiatric symptomatology and more frequent marijuana use. This study provides further support for a cluster of withdrawal symptoms experienced following cessation of regular marijuana use. The affective and behavioral symptoms reported were consistent with those observed in previous laboratory and interview studies. Since withdrawal symptoms are frequently a target for clinical intervention with other substances of abuse, this may also be appropriate for marijuana.

Bonn-Miller, M., Moos, R. (2009). Marijuana discontinuation, anxiety symptoms, and relapse to marijuana. Addictive Behaviors, 34(9), 782-785. The present investigation examined the role of anxiety symptoms immediately following substance abuse treatment in the relation between frequency of pre-treatment marijuana use and relapse to marijuana use at 12-months post-treatment among 1288 male patients who used marijuana within the 3 months prior to admission to treatment. Consistent with expectation, more frequent marijuana use at intake predicted more anxiety symptoms at discharge. Anxiety symptoms at discharge predicted relapse to marijuana use at 12-month follow-up, but did not mediate the relation between intake marijuana use and relapse. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of increased anxiety during discontinuation of regular marijuana use in the prediction of relapse to marijuana.

um its beter than ciggarets and beer the government only bans it because they wanna show the people they have controll over them

* Anything that makes changes in the brain…has the ability to change how a person feels, has the potential to be addicting.

As with ciggarettes…inhaling smoke is what kills ya. *

It is not addicting, and NOT ONE person has ever died from smoking it. It is far less dangeraous than tabacco and alcohol.

I have an anxiety problem. It’s so bad at times I feel as though I’m going to have a heart attack. I can’t consentrate or even be close to my husband. But, when I smoke I fell like a normal person and am able to function properly. It only takes a small amount to help me live my life without feeling like I want to run and hide in a corner somewhere.

Anything that makes changes in the brain…has the ability to change how a person feels, has the potential to be addicting.

As with ciggarettes…inhaling smoke is what kills ya.

A government conpiracy? Like what?

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Ty, asprin is a drug too, and it is not addictive. I guess anything could be called addictive when done habitually, like gambling, sex and shopping. When I think of drug addiction and withdrawal, it think of cold sweats a nausea, and weeks of recovery from physical trauma. That does not occur with pot. The most common withdrawal symptom is anxiety. That is a far cry from cocain, herion, prescription drugs or even alcohol and tabacco. My only point was that it is less dangerous than alcohol and tabacco. As Toadaly said, there is no valid reason for its prohibition.

Legalize it. …plus everything else.

Legalization would end the main source of funding for terrorism, it would abruptly end the expansion of narco-states and the crime, misery and political corruption they bring world wide. It would free law enforcement to prosecute crimes against persons and would undo much of the damage caused to our legal system from confiscation laws.

It would also bring regulation and taxation to recreational drugs just like has happened with alcohol and tobacco, and without fear of prosecution, addicts would be free to seek medical help to escape addiction.

There are no valid reasons for prohibiting responsible usage of recreational drugs.

its better than alcohal…