PUBLIC OPINION > Teen Marijuana Use Is Not That Big of a Deal
SodaHead News
2012/05/04 16:00:00
We've done polls on marijuana in the past, and typically voters give it the polling equivalent of a shrug. Even if they don't smoke it or condone it, it's not as dangerous as alcohol and not worth fussing over. But a recent survey shows teen marijuana use is on the rise -- nearly 10% of teens are smoking 20 times a month or more. No wonder it's California's biggest cash crop! Teen use can be scary, though, as the longterm effects of marijuana use on developing brains is still unclear, and bad habits can form in those early years. So we asked the public if the increase in teen use is cause for concern.
Again, the majority feels marijuana is just not that big of a deal. Even with teens, the sentiment seems to be, "Better weed than alcohol." The Top Opinion read, "Sure I would prefer they didn't do all of these things but when you look at the alternatives kids that want to get high really bad probably will, and if it's not marijuana it will probably be something dangerous." Yes, weed can be bad. It can be habit-forming, and it can glue you to the couch. But hey, at least they aren't drinking hand sanitizer.
Fluctuating Feelings
Teens themselves were exactly in-line with the overall vote -- exactly 41% are pretty concerned. As voters got a little bit older, in their early 20s, that number dipped to 29% concern. Then it worked its way back up to 57% as voters entered their 50s. Age definitely showed a pattern, but the change of heart was slow-turning, reversible, and not very passionate.
Reluctance From the Right
The two demographics that showed considerable resistance were Christians and conservatives, both coming in at about 65% concern. It's not that they think marijuana is going to destroy the youth, they're just reluctant to give it a green light. No pun intended. Plus, it's illegal, which certainly adds weight to the issue from a right-leaning perspective.
Shrug From the Smokers
As usual, smokers tend to back the marijuana users. Drinkers, too, though not as much. It would be silly to condemn the use of marijuana when you're indulging in a relatively risky substance yourself. As far as we know, like the Top Opinion said, tobacco and alcohol have more risk involved. You might be better off without it, but weed never killed anyone. Not officially, at least.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about teen marijuana use. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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wilsonmja 2012/05/05 01:05:53
+19Conservatives crack me up. From a conservative you would likely hear "guns don't kill people, people do." I happen to agree with the sentiment behind that. However, I also believe that drugs don't ruin lives, people ruin lives. For some reason a conservative cant see how it's the same thing.
It's that general worse-of-two-evils logic going on there. But when we look at that statement, we turn a blind eye to the fact that it is indeed, "two evils." When I see that kind of thinking process, I automatically think of two young siblings explaining to their guardian why they've broken whatever rule has been broken. Example:
Kid #1: He threw the toy at me!
Kid #2: Yeah, but only because he kicked me first!
Regardless of which offense was worse, both acts were wrong and punishable.
Does that make sense, or am I just thinking into things too far? Haha.
also, hit 'em both and you'll be the right one. =]. that's my parent's philosophy.
...except that their brains are still developing, and it can screw with that.
"Living your life with eyes closed misunderstanding all you see.": (line borrowed from the Betles sing, I do not remember)
They misunderstand the danger simply by being high
It effects the male sperm that has been proven why wouldn't it alter the female eggs??
The latest (European) studies of autism seem to indicate the the brain grows too rapidly from about one year of age to about ten and then stops short leaving the afflicted with 67% more neurons (brain cells) than average (Time mgazine).
I have (high-functioning) autism myself (parents too) but when get too "worked up about worry" I also exhibit ADD.
This winter, for an experiment, I abstained from weed (only require a gram or two every week or two, constant daily toking over-sedates, de-motivates & evokes occasional bronchitis). for three months, would up hospitalized for anxiety & panic attacks. A month after resuming (on Lent?) my associates noticed a dramatic improvement of disposition.
Smoked tobacco for 25 years [quit 13 ago] so my 'indulgence' has little cumulative effect on my potential longevity (added decades? look below).
As mentioned above, It's not only for my head, the primary reason for the license is to cope with colitis & arthritis (linked genetically with Autism).
Over the 3 years since, I've lost 55 lb. my blood pressure went from 160/120 to 90/60 (dropped a diuretic to correct) in under a year, chloesterol fell too (halving my Lipitor), incipient diabetes remitted completely as did my gastric reflux (dropped an acid med) low testostero...
&&
This winter, for an experiment, I abstained from weed (only require a gram or two every week or two, constant daily toking over-sedates, de-motivates & evokes occasional bronchitis). for three months, would up hospitalized for anxiety & panic attacks. A month after resuming (on Lent?) my associates noticed a dramatic improvement of disposition.
Smoked tobacco for 25 years [quit 13 ago] so my 'indulgence' has little cumulative effect on my potential longevity (added decades? look below).
As mentioned above, It's not only for my head, the primary reason for the license is to cope with colitis & arthritis (linked genetically with Autism).
Over the 3 years since, I've lost 55 lb. my blood pressure went from 160/120 to 90/60 (dropped a diuretic to correct) in under a year, chloesterol fell too (halving my Lipitor), incipient diabetes remitted completely as did my gastric reflux (dropped an acid med) low testosterone shot up to Puberty level (now skip the shots, on my own 'juice' now). Recent blood work indicates glands are fine.
As for the mental; ceased Cilexa (SSRI) was getting hypomanic, reduced Seroquel (anti-psychotic), same reason (rare [documented] side effect, supposed to reduce) from 800 to 100mg & I now can speak more (& write, as you might notice) than monosyllables at a time.
Lastly Had a massive Spiritual Awakening (was Atheist prior). the SPIRIT (of the Universes) 'touched' Me (or vice versa, unsure. We 'found' each other).
BOTTOM LINE: If it Works, Do it!
"I FEEL GOOD!!!" - Soul Brother #1 R.I.P.
"I Did It MY WAY?" - Ole Blue Eyes R.I.P.
I'm a product of too much reading.
You are assuming that the same interactions between cannabinoids and sperm, also exist between cannabinoids and eggs. That is an intuitive guess, and it is a logical idea to toy with. However, if you don't know why there would be such reactions, then it is illogical to make any firm assumptions about cannabinoids affecting eggs.
Since the assumption that cannabinoids will affect eggs is based on them affecting sperm, it is pertinent to know how they affect sperm.
So, the question becomes--how do cannabinoids affect sperm? The answer to that can be found by looking at the chemical reactions at play.
It turns out, that anandamides are involved in sperm motility by coordinating with the mitochondria in flagella (the whipping tail) to make whipping motions. It also turns out, that cannabinoids and anandamides are structurally similar, and happen to fit in some of the same receptors as one another.
THC will cause the flagella to increase its metabilism and swim too fast for too short a duration. This will decrease the likelihood of sperm finding its way to the egg.
However, if the sperm does make it to the egg, there is no problem with the genetic material that it is holding. ...
You are assuming that the same interactions between cannabinoids and sperm, also exist between cannabinoids and eggs. That is an intuitive guess, and it is a logical idea to toy with. However, if you don't know why there would be such reactions, then it is illogical to make any firm assumptions about cannabinoids affecting eggs.
Since the assumption that cannabinoids will affect eggs is based on them affecting sperm, it is pertinent to know how they affect sperm.
So, the question becomes--how do cannabinoids affect sperm? The answer to that can be found by looking at the chemical reactions at play.
It turns out, that anandamides are involved in sperm motility by coordinating with the mitochondria in flagella (the whipping tail) to make whipping motions. It also turns out, that cannabinoids and anandamides are structurally similar, and happen to fit in some of the same receptors as one another.
THC will cause the flagella to increase its metabilism and swim too fast for too short a duration. This will decrease the likelihood of sperm finding its way to the egg.
However, if the sperm does make it to the egg, there is no problem with the genetic material that it is holding. The THC was only affecting the flagellum, not the inner contents.
Now, it may be the case that smoking will affect eggs for some other reason, in some other way, but there is no evidence for that based on what we know about sperm.