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qwlauren35

(6,279 posts) Fri Oct 4, 2024, 11:06 PM Oct 4

Marijuana Can Be Harmful To Your Health [View all]

Last edited Sat Oct 5, 2024, 09:05 AM - Edit history (1)

As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/us/cannabis-marijuana-risks-addiction.html?unlocked_article_code=1.P04.9LJf.AivlZpARCzws&smid=url-share

DISCLAIMER: My intention for posting this is not to return to "no marijuana". It's to point out that it's not safe for everyone, that it's not well studied, that it's potency is not well regulated, and a lot of these issues have to be addressed "after the fact". We basically put something on the market before all of the studies were done, and every once in a while, someone gets VERY sick. If you think about the drug advertisements on TV, they have to list the side effects and risks. No one does that with marijuana. I think that's a problem.

The NYT writes one-two sentence paragraphs, so you won't get the gist of the article if I post four. So I am taking some liberties to paraphrase the article into a few bullet points.

- due to the current government classification of marijuana, its effects and risks are not being studied, and doctors are unable to classify cannabis related illnesses. As a result, there's a lot of misdiagnosis, and people don't realize that cannabis is making them sick.

- due to lack of regulation in most states, there is no maximum potency that can be sold.

- one of the illnesses caused by marijuana use is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition caused by heavy cannabis use and marked by nausea, vomiting and pain. It can lead to extreme dehydration, seizures, kidney failure and cardiac arrest. In rare cases, it has caused deaths.

- many people are using marijuana to manage mental health issues like anxiety and depression; however, for a very small percentage of people, it can cause temporary psychosis (cannabis-induced temporary psychosis)and is increasingly associated with the development of chronic psychotic disorders.

-- almost all of the illnesses reported in the article are happening to ***heavy*** users. Starting at 20 times a month, and sometimes several times a day.

As marijuana legalization has accelerated across the country, doctors are contending with the effects of an explosion in the use of the drug and its intensity. A $33 billion industry has taken root, turning out an ever-expanding range of cannabis products so intoxicating they bear little resemblance to the marijuana available a generation ago. Tens of millions of Americans use the drug, for medical or recreational purposes — most of them without problems.

But with more people consuming more potent cannabis more often, a growing number, mostly chronic users, are enduring serious health consequences.

About 18 million people — nearly a third of all users ages 18 and up — have reported symptoms of cannabis use disorder, according to estimates from a unique data analysis conducted for The Times by a Columbia University epidemiologist. That would mean they continue to use the drug despite significant negative effects on their lives. Of those, about three million people are considered addicted.

While the drug can assist the endocannabinoid system, alleviate some symptoms of disease and otherwise make people feel good, regular heavy doses of it can also throw the system off balance. People must continue escalating their use to get the same effect. And quitting can cause anxiety, depression and other signs of withdrawal.

“Cannabis should not have a free pass as something that is safe because it’s legal — or safe because it’s natural — because actually it clearly causes harm in a number of my patients,

191 replies

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Marijuana Can Be Harmful To Your Health [View all] qwlauren35 Oct 4 OP

Cool story, bro WhiteTara Oct 4 #1

Did you actually read the article? Ocelot II Oct 4 #6

this part doesn't seem real. WhiteTara Oct 4 #14

The criterion for 'use disorder' includes 'daily use'. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #26

My younger brother has been a daily user for 35+ years. I have seen the effects... PeaceWave Oct 5 #65

Thank you for your honest and frank assessment. Oopsie Daisy Oct 5 #78

My older sister is a major smoker who won't speak to me now kimbutgar Oct 5 #80

perhaps you are biased in your assessment of people? Voltaire2 Oct 5 #83

Maybe but I've encountered that so many times and my assessment has been 100% correct kimbutgar Oct 5 #85

Know what's not a biased opinion? It's an expensive filthy stinky habit... PeaceWave Oct 5 #110

Opinions are by definition biased. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #116

when you smell it on people you know they are addicted? Chautauquas Oct 6 #143

I think that says more about your brother then it says about weed Chautauquas Oct 6 #140

This is a lie Bluesaph Oct 6 #142

That is a whopper of a lie Chautauquas Oct 6 #147

Is drinking one glass of wine a week an alcoholic? Bluesaph Oct 6 #150

facts are not lies quakerboy Oct 8 #177

This message was self-deleted by its author Chautauquas Oct 6 #148

I guess people can be addicted to taking Caribbean vacations Shermann Oct 6 #157

You're arguing just to argue Bluesaph Oct 7 #170

Your observation that I did not define addiction is astute Shermann Oct 7 #171

This is boring Bluesaph Oct 7 #172

What's boring is gaslighting over reefer madness on a forum that strongly supports legalization. nt Shermann Oct 7 #173

You obviously didn't bother to read what others posted Bluesaph Oct 8 #174

"A lot of people are saying it!" - check Shermann Oct 8 #175

Why would anyone spend thousands of dollars a year on Bettie Oct 8 #178

I don't find "doesn't seem real" a compelling argument. Happy Hoosier Oct 15 #187

thanks for your opinion. WhiteTara Oct 15 #188

The problem is people don't know this! Bluesaph Oct 6 #138

So can alcohol You do realize that big pharma want marijuana made illegal. Demsrule86 Oct 8 #180

That's a different article. qwlauren35 Oct 4 #7

It's so harde to take NYT as absolute truth WhiteTara Oct 4 #15

I'm a toxicologist and I find your dismissive response DenaliDemocrat Oct 5 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Oct 5 #54

It Can Cause Hyponatremia ProfessorGAC Oct 5 #59

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Oct 5 #60

There was a high school kid playing football DenaliDemocrat Oct 5 #131

16.7# Of Water! ProfessorGAC Oct 5 #133

This has happened opposite to my sister Bluesaph Oct 6 #145

Now that's an oy vey Lulu KC Oct 6 #167

She ProfessorGAC Oct 7 #169

I am a retired H2O Man Oct 5 #92

Pot itself is known to cause paranoia. LeftInTX Oct 6 #144

Yes, it definitely can. H2O Man Oct 6 #159

I've never touched an illegal drug in my life for your exact reasons. Not for moral ones. lindysalsagal Oct 6 #162

No need to smoke...there are gummies. Again same is true of alcohol. Demsrule86 Oct 8 #182

I know several people who developed psychotic disorders Bluesaph Oct 4 #2

Puhleeze. Maybe we should do more regulation with autos, alcohol, cigarettes and firearms that kill tens of millions ... marble falls Oct 4 #11

No kidding. n/t Hugin Oct 5 #46

Maybe if it occurs with someone you know and love, you'll find it substantive Lulu KC Oct 5 #47

Personal experience can line the path to the anecdotal fallacy instead of the path to truth. Shermann Oct 5 #51

Not quite following you but okay n/t Lulu KC Oct 5 #73

I'll elaborate. Shermann Oct 5 #94

It's not just about marijuana Lulu KC Oct 5 #114

I can't say increased drug-related psychosis isn't a trend Shermann Oct 5 #118

I am not making a case about anything Lulu KC Oct 5 #119

I think increased education is needed. I believe now that the Biden admin finally regulated pot, they can do some real LeftInTX Oct 6 #153

I need to quit pot, which gives me pain relief because a very small percentage just can't be near it ... marble falls Oct 15 #186

To be clear Lulu KC Oct 15 #190

Oh ok. You get to decide what is substantive? Bluesaph Oct 6 #149

This message was self-deleted by its author Lulu KC Oct 6 #168

High potency is pricey BidenRocks Oct 5 #23

It's not the high THC level. It has EVERYTHING to do with people who have issues w/certain types of The_REAL_Ecumenist Oct 5 #24

Lol nope obamanut2012 Oct 5 #41

Most research indicates instead that people Voltaire2 Oct 5 #45

I can let you know .... Mossfern Oct 5 #66

cannabis AND ALCOHOL eShirl Oct 5 #79

Notice I said Mossfern Oct 5 #106

My next-door neighbor, Ilene, k55f5r Oct 5 #93

exactly. Perhaps once it gets descheduled those studies can happen. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #99

What would happen is regulation that big Pharma wants...I want the government out. Demsrule86 Oct 8 #183

"concern" noted RJ_MacReady Oct 4 #3

Sez them. marble falls Oct 4 #4

AMA: Marijuana doesn't impact brain function Ptah Oct 4 #5

Of the 120 who initially qualified for the study, those with Cannabis Use Disorder or daily use of cannibis Ms. Toad Oct 5 #17

An actual evidence based study. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #27

Whatevs LW1977 Oct 4 #8

Yep. DU's regularly scheduled foray into reefer madness mode BannonsLiver Oct 5 #20

NYT has been Prohibitionist for a long time. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #32

Do not forget, boys & girls, that in some cases, peanuts KILL! Attilatheblond Oct 5 #82

Whoa I must have missed the peanut wars! BannonsLiver Oct 5 #95

Same story RussBLib Oct 4 #9

I love my MJ jfz9580m Oct 5 #21

It's not a black and white issue. multigraincracker Oct 5 #33

I have a complicated history with marijuana jfz9580m Oct 5 #39

thanks for your contribution RussBLib Oct 5 #89

Thanks for reading RussBLib :) jfz9580m Oct 5 #98

Until a month or so ago I was taking 2 puff before bed for sleep. multigraincracker Oct 5 #91

I am glad it is legal! jfz9580m Oct 5 #103

quality is very uneven RussBLib Oct 5 #111

In all my years working in mental health, I've seen very few cases where marijuana helped my patients. tulipsandroses Oct 4 #10

Nothing is safe for everyone. Lawn darts, anyone? marble falls Oct 4 #12

People think it's medicine. Mosby Oct 5 #18

FDA review womanofthehills Oct 5 #55

Very Common ProfessorGAC Oct 5 #63

Here's an article about neuropathic pain Mosby Oct 5 #68

Thanks for a balanced response jmbar2 Oct 5 #84

consuming an excessive amount can cause strong discomfort and paranoia. and remember when it took a whole msongs Oct 4 #13

So the good news is a very small amount is sufficient. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #28

Right? obamanut2012 Oct 5 #42

In my day the paranoia orangecrush Oct 6 #163

Interesting, but, like alcohol, it will remain a spectator sport for me. DFW Oct 4 #16

Why anybody ever smokes is sort of a mystery Shermann Oct 5 #96

I like a little spicy DFW Oct 5 #129

Gosh! H2O Man Oct 5 #19

If I had some I couldn't use it without fainting. littlemissmartypants Oct 5 #22

as soon as I read something like this, I know it's BS eShirl Oct 5 #25

Well it's true if you select the weakest possible Voltaire2 Oct 5 #30

we had so much good 70's & 80's weed going around here, nobody bothered with the ditch weed eShirl Oct 5 #34

Tell me about it! jmowreader Oct 5 #37

Tell me about it! jmowreader Oct 5 #38

You can get extracts that are 85-90% thc now Mosby Oct 5 #70

'hash oil' started showing up in the early 70s. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #100

Forgot about hash. Mosby Oct 5 #104

It wasn't hash, which has been used for centuries. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #117

It is so strong orangecrush Oct 6 #164

That just means you'd have smoked 20 times as much of the weak stuff. nt Shermann Oct 5 #120

I use everyday. usedtobedemgurl Oct 5 #29

CHS is an allergic reaction to cannabis. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #31

agreed; that is no joke eShirl Oct 5 #36

It didn't point that out, which I also noticed obamanut2012 Oct 5 #43

My son has CVS. You wouldn't believe the abuse he's suffered. nolabear Oct 5 #48

Back to prohibition it is! aocommunalpunch Oct 5 #40

And yet... jcgoldie Oct 5 #44

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding.nt jfz9580m Oct 5 #49

Water can kill you too Mysterian Oct 5 #50

jail doesn't solve any of those problems PedroXimenez Oct 5 #52

For me to make an informed decision, MorbidButterflyTat Oct 5 #53

That's the spirit! jfz9580m Oct 5 #76

It's the THC levels in the stuff. This is NOT the MJ of the 1960s. valleyrogue Oct 5 #56

My vape is 92% THC and my tincture is 96% THC padfun Oct 5 #86

Aw come on. Spoken like someone who hasn't a clue about the culture at all. And it has been studied to death. flying_wahini Oct 5 #57

I came of age in the 70s -misanthroptimist Oct 5 #58

Well, that's when I smoked it. Side effects: paranoia, out of body feelings (like very heavy legs), sleep disturbances LeftInTX Oct 5 #135

We get patients with hyperemesis syndrome ismnotwasm Oct 5 #61

Yup, Marijuana Can Be Harmful To Your Health, so can republianmushroom Oct 5 #62

I agree and rec. Demsrule86 Oct 8 #184

It was more fun when it was illegal. kentuck Oct 5 #64

Not if you got fined or sent to jail cutroot Oct 6 #161

I'm jealous of you all who find cannabis a pleasant and useful drug. hunter Oct 5 #67

Written by someone living in a van, down by the river. flvegan Oct 5 #69

At age 72 I've never used marijuana, never will. I don't need it. n/t elocs Oct 5 #71

how did you manage to get through the 60's and the 70's without getting stoned? Voltaire2 Oct 5 #88

There are people who undergo security clearances who have not ever smoked it. LeftInTX Oct 5 #136

Conservative religious beliefs can be dangerous to the health of non-believers and generate mental illness. Discuss. PufPuf23 Oct 5 #72

And only a month before the election. Prairie_Seagull Oct 5 #74

What? Recommending that people self moderate THC is an "election thing"? LeftInTX Oct 5 #137

This message was self-deleted by its author Prairie_Seagull Oct 6 #139

I don't think it's really a Democratic thing anymore LeftInTX Oct 6 #141

Many want to see full throated support for de-listing. Prairie_Seagull Oct 6 #151

I'm not that crazy about delisting it. LeftInTX Oct 6 #154

I absolutely think it should be delisted. Demsrule86 Oct 8 #185

Too much marijuana can be harmful to your health. Well duh! So can drinking too much water. retread Oct 5 #75

Just one of the scare stories Blue Full Moon Oct 5 #77

"...it's not well studied..." Wednesdays Oct 5 #81

But we will publish a long - comments blocked - article that acts as if it is authoritative. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #87

Constantly inhaling any type of smoke is not good for people Polybius Oct 5 #90

Health benefits, Cannabis Abuse Disorder and the connection to psychotic breaks can all be real ThreeNoSeep Oct 5 #97

This message was self-deleted by its author jfz9580m Oct 5 #102

Whoops! I meant mg not g ThreeNoSeep Oct 5 #107

Okay that makes more sense jfz9580m Oct 5 #109

Cause or effect? hunter Oct 5 #113

Certainly more thought should be given... LAS14 Oct 5 #101

Your son brought it obamanut2012 Oct 5 #121

It's clear it belonged to my son. We both just think the boys found it at home. LAS14 Oct 5 #122

What is bad for your health is a xanax perscripstion that becomes an addiction sky_masterson Oct 5 #105

They scoff at us stoners while sipping their martinis. Voltaire2 Oct 5 #123

I've smoked Pot for 40 years sky_masterson Oct 5 #125

You have to watch it, just like with alcohol. gulliver Oct 5 #108

Exactly Mossfern Oct 5 #112

correct...EVERYTHING in moderation democratsruletheday Oct 5 #124

Next bombshell report GenThePerservering Oct 5 #115

I should have died a long time ago, I guess. Maybe I have the Keith Richards gene? That's okay I guess. I'd get along brewens Oct 5 #126

I don't disagree with the premise. alarimer Oct 5 #127

So can oxygen. Conjuay Oct 5 #128

Haven't smoked in a long time awesomerwb1 Oct 5 #130

High doses it says. I don't think hardly anything is healthy in high doses. nt Quixote1818 Oct 5 #132

This looks like it was written to manufacture consent for pharmaceutical companies to take over... LudwigPastorius Oct 5 #134

Some people need to mind their own damn business. Emile Oct 6 #146

Reminder maryland native Oct 6 #152

Prohibition has always been about race and class. Voltaire2 Oct 6 #156

Indeed jfz9580m Oct 6 #166

We're not going back to the Nancy Reagan days Tarc Oct 6 #155

Many other countries regulate and control the levels Bev54 Oct 6 #158

very few other countries have legalized recreational cannabis Voltaire2 Oct 6 #165

Fascism is a lot worse for my health orangecrush Oct 6 #160

Reefer Madness again? Thread trashed ZonkerHarris Oct 8 #176

Reefer madness 2.0 Runningdawg Oct 8 #179

Never had a problem with it and never will DFW Oct 8 #181

I didn't see it that way. pwb Oct 15 #189

I'm sharing a gummy with my husband as I read this thread. crosinski Oct 15 #191