<p>ciao!!!</p>
<p>“My mom is just worried because she thinks I’m going to turn out like some of my relatives. She said my uncle ruined his career with drugs and alcohol. I don’t know how because he’s rich now so he must have turned something around. His daughter tried pot and then went on to do hard stuff like meth, and now she’s in and out of rehab.” </p>
<p>That raises a whole other issue than those noted by chedva, bethievt, and others, with which I strongly concur. If addiction is an issue in your family why play around with substance use, which can easily turn into substance abuse? Certanly children and close relatives of alcoholics are often very careful about alcohol use because of their concern about predisposition to addictive behavior. I don’t see that having a cousin who’s in the midst of drug isseus is much different–might make particular sense to avoid pot and other drugs (alcohol too if you think about it).</p>
<p>rutgers:</p>
<p>If you quit - that’s great. Smoking pot is absolutely not good for you. Think of what you’re doing to your lungs not to mention the chemical changes you’re inducing which is why you smoke in the first place.</p>
<p>In addition to the physical harm caused by smoking there’s social harm as well. You’ve heard most of them and if you really think about it probably realize it’s true. If nothing else though, your use has caused you to lie to your parents, put your relationship with them at a different level that’s not what it should be, and you’ve even subjected your family to some potential legal issues if for some reason the pot was discovered in the house by authorities or if it was discovered in a car that a member of your family ended up driving.</p>
<p>What to do now? I think the only thing you can do is come to terms with what you’ve done, open up and be honest and tell your parents you want to discuss this openly. Go ahead and let them know the extent of your use and let them know what you have planned now and for the future. If you’re really going to quit then tell them so and stick to what you say. If you’re honestly not planning on quitting you may as well tell them that too. They won’t like your answer but you’ll at least be honest. They may want to try to get you some help to quit which would be a good thing for you.</p>
<p>Quit. You’re getting older now and it’s time to move on with the rest of your life now anyway. I wish you good luck.</p>
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<p>Let’s be accurate. To my knowledge, pot has never been linked to lung cancer, despite dire warnings.
[Study</a> Finds No Cancer-Marijuana Connection - washingtonpost.com](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052501729_pf.html]Study”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052501729_pf.html)</p>
<p>I agree with other posters that pot probably is not very good for the developing brain. I remember from my high school days that when I was getting high every day, I was not as clear and sharp. I couldn’t tell until after I’d quit for awhile, though. otoh, I know plenty of stoners who’ve done well in college and gone on to be quite successful. </p>
<p>Bottom line is, I think it’s always best to find a natural high like running or yoga, but I will vehemently contend that pot is far, far, FAR less harmful than alcohol. I think it’s ridiculous that alcohol is legal and pot is illegal, and many people are self-righteous about pot while having their drinks. </p>
<p>Still, it IS illegal, and, until that changes, the legality issue is a very real thing. I’m not sure what kind of trouble your parents could get into for pot being found in the house, but do keep in mind that you are inadvertently involving THEM when you hide your stash in their house. They certainly have the right to demand that there be no illegal substances in their house.</p>
<p>Which brings up the questions that 1of42 raised: is your mom primarily upset that you are doing something she thinks is bad, or is it because it’s illegal, or is it purely the trust issue?</p>
<p>When I was about 16, my mom, in an uncharacteristic effort to get close to me (which we had never been) kept bugging me to tell her if I ever decided to try pot. I finally relented and admitted it, and she cried all day. I felt really bad; to me it was no big deal but she really took it hard. She acted as though I had admitted to being a prostitute or something!</p>
<p>This was in 1976. There was no way my mom could possibly understand. YOUR parents, at least your dad, seems to at least remember what it was like to be a teen and experiment.</p>
<p>I am not saying that smoking pot is a good thing. I’m saying that there is some room for some forgiveness here. Yes, you will have to regain their trust. Yes, you should be very careful to keep your word in the future. But don’t let anyone make you feel like you are scum because you did something that many, if not most, teens do at some time or another. I disagree with the posters who say that you must eat s*** for the rest of your life to atone for this grievous sin. Would your parents be so harsh if they’d found beer in your room? Doubtful. Perhaps someday the double standard will be lifted. For now, understand that it’s still illegal and that does tend to cloud the issue.</p>
<p>
BIG mistake, if you want to rebuild your mother’s trust. That means you’re hiding stuff. Your dad may think that’s OK, but it’s not the transparency you need. If my kid did that after all the facts you’d laid out, there’s no way that I would ever trust her again. Why should I? Why should your mother? (And note that I’m not talking about drugs in particular, but about trust.)</p>
<p>Of course, that only matters if you in fact want to rebuild the relationship.</p>
<p>
It doesn’t take a study, and I wouldn’t wait for one anyway, to tell me that it’s not healthy to inhale smoke into my lungs - especially unfiltered smoke from a substance of dubious origin that in addition to inherent toxins may contain residue from any of a number of other chemicals such as weed killers, etc.</p>
<p>Is it logical to anyone on this board that inhaling smoke from MJ could possibly not be harmful in any way?</p>
<p>Well, it does seem logical, but…countless studies have failed to make a connection. </p>
<p>Incidentally, I sell health insurance and we rate up for cigarette smokers. If there had been a major health risk for pot, they’d probably require drug testing, I would think.</p>
<p>I agree that there could conceivably be other toxic substances in the weed, though.</p>
<p>And, I didn’t say it’s not harmful at all. I have observed in my 50-something stoner friends (I quit but they didn’t) that some of them use pot as an emotional crutch. I believe it also affects motivation - too easy to say ‘eh, later…’ which is probably not good while in school. </p>
<p>I just don’t think the parents should be treating the kid like he stole something or did something malicious, though.</p>
<p>I can only imagine three very upset people in your home. You caused the upset and you can begin the healing. It really IS all about you. </p>
<p>I don’t really get the difference between your parents’ response, Mom saying the trust is all gone, Dad giving you tips on how to keep a lower profile in the future. That means they are arguing with each other, but trying to keep it away from you.</p>
<p>Blooming mess.</p>
<p>I would ask to meet together in the living room and come up with one, unified approach as a family.</p>
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<p>It’s common sense - but that doesn’t mean it’s right. Studies carried out to examine the link between marijuana and lung disease had some interesting results. It turns out that marijuana mainly affects the large breathing passages of the lungs (rather than the small ones) and as a result doesn’t cause COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Marijuana smoke also dilates the airways, and acts as an expectorant, promoting the expulsion of most of the tar taken in by smoking, as well as other mucus and potentially other harmful foreign substances residing in the lungs. This is in stark contrast to tobacco, which kills off the cilia that are responsible for clearing the lungs. Finally, THC has been shown to encourage apoptosis, and as a result is a cancer-fighting agent.</p>
<p>The foreign substance lacing issue is a real one, but if the weed is obtained, for example, from cannabis clubs, which are very well-run - as they supply medical marijuana - the risk of lacing and poisons on the weed is very, very low.</p>
<p>Studies have failed to show links between marijuana and any head/neck, lung or other cancers, and the other respiratory issues associated with other types of smoking (tobacco, basically). The only credible risk so far established seems to be the one emeraldkitty posted about, namely the increased risk of schizophrenia, especially in people predisposed to it.</p>
<p>Vaporizing the weed instead of smoking it, to inhale almost pure THC vapor, is healthier still, as with a good vaporizer the inhaled substance is 98% THC and contains almost no known carcinogens or other chemicals, while still receiving the benefits of the expectorant and other properties of the marijuana.</p>
<p>Very interesting, 1of42. Good to know.</p>
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<p>Wow, have you never had anyone let you down and then apologize? Have you never forgiven a loved one for a mistake?</p>
<p>And why would you NOT want to rebuild the relationship? OP did not suggest that there was ever any doubt that they’d rebuild their relationship - only that it would be hard. Are you saying you’d never forgive your kids for a mistake, to the point of not rebuilding the relationship?</p>
<p>Well, 1of42, it sounds like you know your weed. It still sounds like a risk not worth taking IMO. I’ll stick with my logic on this one.</p>
<p>Alcohol can undisputedly cause death by overdosing, not to mention highway deaths, rapes, violence, long-term addiction and liver damage, etc. So, to be consistent, better not take the risk and avoid it altogether.</p>
<p>To the person who posted your story about getting busted and deleted the post: Thanks for sharing the story. That must’ve been a horrendous experience. This country is so backwards for imposing such harsh treatments on something like smoking pot. It’s obscene that there are still people in jail for possessing a little weed many years ago, right next to the violent criminals.</p>
<p>I don’t need anyone to tell me it’s ok or not ok. I just know someone did smoke pot, turned himself in after his parents divorced and suffered all kinds of withdrawing problem. He even threatened to kill his parents and siblings. And the kid was very sweet nature before this.
Sorry, I don’t trust no “stinky” study.</p>
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<p>I’m sure if you search the crime database you will find people who threatened to kill, or even did kill, their families without any substances whatsoever. One could just as easily argue that since that person did NOT do drugs he was violent…which is silly, of course.</p>
<p>It doesn’t mean anything. </p>
<p>In comparison, how many people have gotten drunk and then became violent? Too many to count.</p>
<p>Pot has been shown to be psychologically, not physically, addictive. Obviously, some people have trouble with ANY sort of addiction, more than others. For these people, giving up any sort of ‘crutch’ whether it’s pot or alcohol or caffeine or sugar or whatever, may bring out the worst in them. But to imply that pot makes people violent is completely without basis.</p>
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<p>You must be kidding right.</p>
<p>I think it affects different people differently. You’ll never whether you are the type that turns violent or not. As a parent, I certainly don’t want to know.</p>
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<p>No, I’m not kidding. All sorts of substances could affect a person and bring out dormant attributes, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs…even sugar and food additives! (Refined sugar and food additives have been linked to behavior problems in children.)</p>
<p>All it takes is a little observation (and some reading of crime stories) to know that alcohol is frequently involved in escalation of violence…whereas pot has quite the reputation of making people…well, lazy. (They don’t call it ‘Peace Weed’ for nothin’)</p>
<p>I’ll take lazy over violent any day.</p>
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<p>I won’t say anything about this story other than that it sounds remarkably similar to all the overhyped propaganda stories about marijuana that caused it to be banned in the first place - things like Mexicans going on murderous rampages due to marijuana, and white women turning all crazy and marrying blacks after smoking the reefer.</p>
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<p>To each his own… though I detect a subtle hint of sarcasm in this post. ;)</p>
<p>Btw, when logic conflicts with statistically rigorous studies carried out by qualified medical scientists, normally we consider the logic to be faulty, or incomplete. :)</p>
<p>^^ As you know, there are studies and then there are studies. I’d have to do my own research of the various studies and reach my own conclusions but regardless, I’d never smoke the stuff so I probably won’t bother with the effort.</p>