From the awesome files: cannabis a ‘winning strategy’
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Finally, marijuana is being recognized for the magical miracle cure-all that it truly is. First came news that medicinal cannabis was a “highly effective” way to treat pregnancy morning sickness. Then, Portland opened the first American pot cafe, and Detroit launched the Cannabis College for – heh – purposes of higher learning.
Now, it turns out that this illicit drug can actually mitigate dependency on other, malevolent substances: prescription narcotics, alcohol and even hard drugs à la crack cocaine and heroin.
Research out of Berkeley, published in the Harm Reduction Journal, offers up a poll of 350 cannabis users. 40 pecent report using cannabis to control their urge to booze, 66 percent opted for weed instead of prescription drugs and 26 percent found that it helped combat addiction to more potent, illegal drugs. From Amanda Reiman, lead researcher:
“Substituting cannabis for alcohol has been described as a radical alcohol treatment protocol. This approach could be used to address heavy alcohol use in the British Isles – people might substitute cannabis, a potentially safer drug than alcohol with less negative side-effects, if it were socially acceptable and available.”
She goes on:
“…the recognition that substitution might be a viable alternative to abstinence for those who can’t or won’t completely stop using psychoactive substances.”
Like, all of us? Nearly half of Americans report using prescription drugs, and 4 million admit to using them for “non-medicinal” purposes (translation: fun, fun happy times). As you probably know from watching ever-present Nexium TV ads, your favorite go-to meds often come with a lengthy list of side effects, interaction risks – and a lofty price tag.
I think those 350 cannabis users are onto something: if given the choice, would you opt for a $4,000 annual prescription with the risk of explosive diarrhea, fainting spells and (shh!) even death…or a $10-a-day relaxation session with nary a significant danger? Unless, of course, you’re all up on the skunk.
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Your link is 100% propaganda.
Which link? The stats come from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, at Columbia University.
In response to another comment. See in context »Oh sorry, the last link to Skunk of course.
In response to another comment. See in context »Are you sure you aren’t suffering from a psychotic episode – skunk-induced – while you’re typing this?
In response to another comment. See in context »Anything is possible
In response to another comment. See in context »Hello Everynowandthen,
The question is not whether it is 100% propaganda or not but whether it is accurate propaganda or not.
In response to another comment. See in context »“studies by accredited researchers have shown” is the most widely used prefix to deluded human rationalization ever conceived. As with polls, ’studies’ can be – and are – made to reinforce already existing biases on the part of researchers/pollsters.
Humans will happily do/accept whatever the hell is decided by those in control i.e. signing the payroll. What, are we going to be surprised that a higher proportion of those with mental instabilities resort to self medication with weed? friggin DUH.. They may be mentally unstable, but at least they are not stupid enough to fall for drug company propaganda and take one of the ‘medically supported’ drugs for evening out their day to day mental states, most of which may cause brain hemorrhage, aneurysm, kidney failure, death and a host of other more serious issues.
Further evidence for humans believing whatever the hell they are told to believe: Has anyone ever toked up and beat their spouse? No. Has anyone ever smoked themselves to death (THC poisoning?) No. Can you substitute alcohol for weed in the previous statements? No. Why isn’t alcohol illegal? Because studies have shown X or Y? Bullshit. The Institute of Psychiatry in London is high on tea, crumpets and probably some funding by Pfizer or whoever the hell stands to lose the most money on drugs that can be replaced, in most cases much more safely, with WEED.
Andy – amen.
have you heard? Jeff Spicoli is in need of medicinal marijuana for his pot addiction : P