In your state how much is medical or recreation marijuana?

[HundredK]

From the packaging, it looks like your brownie stated it was for medical use only. I'm no expert in this area, but a few years ago in Vegas, a friend gave me a tiny chocolate square of chocolate labeled for medical use only. It said the square was one dose, and I remember being at the Wynn and deciding to eat just 1/4 of the square and then I started walking down the strip. I stopped along the way at Sephora to buy something, and I remember the cashier saying something to me and it was all slo-mo and weird and hilarious. I recall the look on her face being kind and totally like "oh, you're baked". The rest of my walk back down to the Aria (our hotel) was bonkers and I was super high. I never did eat the other 3/4 of that chocolate square. Then, after it became legal for recreational use here in CA, the husband and I bought some edibles, gummy bears, and I literally felt nothing, nada. I also noticed at the dispensary that they didn't sell the medical graded stuff to just anyone, you still had to have a scrip or something to get it. So I think perhaps what you got was just super strong, being rated for medical use?

[ua_guy]

From the packaging, it looks like your brownie stated it was for medical use only. I'm no expert in this area, but a few years ago in Vegas, a friend gave me a tiny chocolate square of chocolate labeled for medical use only. It said the square was one dose, and I remember being at the Wynn and deciding to eat just 1/4 of the square and then I started walking down the strip. I stopped along the way at Sephora to buy something, and I remember the cashier saying something to me and it was all slo-mo and weird and hilarious. I recall the look on her face being kind and totally like "oh, you're baked". The rest of my walk back down to the Aria (our hotel) was bonkers and I was super high. I never did eat the other 3/4 of that chocolate square. Then, after it became legal for recreational use here in CA, the husband and I bought some edibles, gummy bears, and I literally felt nothing, nada. I also noticed at the dispensary that they didn't sell the medical graded stuff to just anyone, you still had to have a scrip or something to get it. So I think perhaps what you got was just super strong, being rated for medical use?

"Medical grade" was really about changing access to marijuana. Before recreational legalization, and in some states where it's still not approved for recreational use, some states approved it ONLY for medical use. Medical grade marijuana is just the same, but add strict rules on prescription, production, labeling, and distribution. Some medical grade marijuana is actually bred in strains that produce a very low or non-existent "high", but contains a lot more of the chemicals that help with pain, like CBD, or that produce hunger, for cancer patients. Many actual medical recipients do not want the cerebral effects. Recreational marijuana is just as potent in terms of THC content, and strains that produce strong highs are generally favored with that clientele.

Before I sound like a pot-head, I just happened to do a LOT of reading on the subject. WA State was buzzing with debate during our lead-up to recreational approval and distribution, and so there was a LOT of discussion here.

[btctony]

It would be interesting to see the ages of those who are against and those are are for cannabis.

The propaganda was epic back in the day. That has stuck for decades and decades. JUST SAY NO!

It sure was. Lol. I'm 37 years old. I do vaguely recall the "this is your brain on drugs" commercials when I was a child. Prior to recreational use becoming legal in a neighboring state in 2020, I had used thc products less than a dozen times in my entire life. Most of those occurrences were smoking a joint in high school and I certainly don't condone the use of thc among children, but I did it when I was young. When I was in high school I smoked with friends a handful of times, just because I wanted to. Throughout my twenties, I considered the use of thc or any other illicit drug to be stupid. I thought everyone who used those products were lazy potheads. Some of them certainly were, but I think I was wrong in my judgement as a whole.

In 2020, I began to experiment with thc products a few times a week, typically at night a couple of hours before bed. I did a lot of research before I began my experimentation in an attempt to mitigate the ill effects described by the OP. I'm a highly productive member of society and the last 15 months of using thc products has not changed that at all. I still get up and go to work every day, I still work out on a daily basis, I still maintain a healthy diet. During the last 15 months I have tested myself by abstaining from the use of thc for a couple of weeks at a time on a few different occasions, so I honestly don't believe that I am addicted or dependent on it. THC products remain under lock and key at all times in my house. I have no children, but I do have a niece and two nephews who occasionally visit. And I will never let it be known to them that I use thc products until they have reached adulthood, if even then.

To each their own, but those are my experiences and views on the matter.

[QuarterMillionMan]

West coast is leading the way with some northeastern states fully legal. It's only a matter of time when more states legalize it, which I'm still opposed to it and more so now after my visit to the ER. Maybe that is why the Feds won't legalize it as well.

[HundredK]

"Medical grade" was really about changing access to marijuana. Before recreational legalization, and in some states where it's still not approved for recreational use, some states approved it ONLY for medical use. Medical grade marijuana is just the same, but add strict rules on prescription, production, labeling, and distribution. Some medical grade marijuana is actually bred in strains that produce a very low or non-existent "high", but contains a lot more of the chemicals that help with pain, like CBD, or that produce hunger, for cancer patients. Many actual medical recipients do not want the cerebral effects. Recreational marijuana is just as potent in terms of THC content, and strains that produce strong highs are generally favored with that clientele.

Before I sound like a pot-head, I just happened to do a LOT of reading on the subject. WA State was buzzing with debate during our lead-up to recreational approval and distribution, and so there was a LOT of discussion here.

That's interesting. I don't know why my friend's chocolate sent me for such a loop while the gummies I bought did nothing. Or why they had totally separate lines for recreational vs medical (with signs that indicated stronger strengths available for medicinal). But this was a while ago, right around the time recreational became legal in CA, so maybe things have changed since then. I stay away from it all now, I didn't really appreciate the high of the chocolate, and I don't want to pay an exorbitant amount for gummies that do nothing at all, heh.

[btctony]

West coast is leading the way with some northeastern states fully legal. It's only a matter of time when more states legalize it, which I'm still opposed to it and more so now after my visit to the ER. Maybe that is why the Feds won't legalize it as well.

This isn't even accurate. IL is fully legal as of Jan. 1 2020. Diagram is way out of date.

[GrimJack]

I smoked my first joint in 1967; was the first person at Eastern Montana College to have their dorm room raided for pot (I was in Montana at the time and it was still a felony - I lucked out). I am 72 and smoked pot all through the 1970s - I had my first acid trip while I was in the Marine Corps in 1969. I only recently started to smoke again but now only as I am ready for bed. I was, off and on, a productive member of society and finally retired a couple years ago. When I was buying pot (it seems like every day, the store offered a 20% discount??), I asked about buying medical pot and was told that the same products were about 50% more expensive using a medical card. I live in Seattle.

I have always been warned about the delayed high when using edibles; people are used to the instant high when smoking whereas there is about a 60 minute delay with edibles - warning is always DO NOT EAT ANY MORE, even if you think you need another. I've tried edibles but they are way more expensive than smokables but I like the gradual way they sneak up on you (I used to take acid and then a nap so I could have these incredible dreams and then wake up high.

I think I might have been a bit of a risk-taker (and like the tarot card The Fool, ready to walk off the edge).

[riverwed070707]

I loved reading this discussion I have no idea what it costs as my state is still illegal for all uses. I'm generally of the belief that it's far less dangerous than alcohol, both in effects and risk of addiction, and if people are going to do it, why not tax it and regulate it? The investors make money, the people are happy, and maybe we can throw some surplus dollars at our schools and roads. Feels like a win-win to me. Who is even against this anymore? The cases I've read against it in this thread is it kills productivity and people may take more than the recommended dose... is that really all there is to complain about? Do we have to be productive all the time?

[rennigade]

Theres a big misconception with people smoking pot and being lazy or unproductive. Its not the pot that is making them lazy, its them who are lazy to begin with.

One of my best experiences was when we were in Kona, hawaii. Was at the sheraton and a local and I smoked a J. We chatted for a while, smoked, then 15 minutes later wife and I were in the water snorkeling and watching manta rays (this was at night.) Divers go to the bottom and put out lights so it attracts the plankton...which is what mantas feed on. Not sure if I would do it again, its sketchy going out in open water when its pitch black. We did a dive tour years prior to the same spot...but you can swim from the shore for free. Probably eased my nerves that I was cooked. Wife doesnt smoke so she was a little on edge. We lived.

[ua_guy]

$2 Billion added to Washington State's economy is nothing to sneeze at. They realized $883 Million in tax revenue.

I wonder if there will be a larger legalization effort since a lot of state budgets are in the red.

https://komonews.com/news/local/legal-cannabis-adds-2-billion-to-wash-state-economy-report-finds

[Like2Plan]

Its not the pot that is making them lazy, its them who are lazy to begin with.

I guess this is one aspect that has actually caused me to be more conservative over time because I don't agree with your conclusion.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201307/does-long-term-cannabis-use-stifle-motivation

https://www.livescience.com/37889-marijuana-users-lack-motivation.html

But, even that isn't the biggest heartburn I have regarding the push for legalization these days. Now, you have to worry as to whether your food is going to be adulterated with the substance in a restaurant and you have to worry about children accidentally ingesting it (as it often available in candy like items). It is a big business that I never dreamed of 45 years ago. And, I think the overarching goal is to increase sales and profits.

[disneysteve]

Theres a big misconception with people smoking pot and being lazy or unproductive. Its not the pot that is making them lazy, its them who are lazy to begin with.

There is abundant research data proving that this isn't the case, as L2P alluded to and those articles discuss. The old "this is your brain on drugs" campaign wasn't wrong. Drug use does alter brain function and people who have substance abuse disorders have measurable anatomic changes in their brains.

[rennigade]

There is abundant research data proving that this isn't the case, as L2P alluded to and those articles discuss. The old "this is your brain on drugs" campaign wasn't wrong. Drug use does alter brain function and people who have substance abuse disorders have measurable anatomic changes in their brains.

I agree that different drugs or things affect people differently. There are those who react really bad to cannabis. But, its the minority, not the majority. I know people who will have a really bad day if they eat peanuts. Our bodies are complex, thats for sure.

[james.hendrickson]

There is abundant research data proving that this isn't the case, as L2P alluded to and those articles discuss. The old "this is your brain on drugs" campaign wasn't wrong. Drug use does alter brain function and people who have substance abuse disorders have measurable anatomic changes in their brains.

Thats entirely correct. Its especially pronounced with long term methamphetamine users.

[ua_guy]

There is abundant research data proving that this isn't the case, as L2P alluded to and those articles discuss. The old "this is your brain on drugs" campaign wasn't wrong. Drug use does alter brain function and people who have substance abuse disorders have measurable anatomic changes in their brains.

For marijuana, specifically? I've read the studies about lower dopamine levels. Not seeing the kind of irreversible damage caused by meth and other immediately destructive drugs. And, if a long term user were to discontinue marijuana use, is it possible to restore dopamine levels and normal function?