# How Dangerous Is the "Most Dangerous Marijuana"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 28, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021 "2003-05-28T14:41:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/41 "2003-05-31T17:17:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MegaDave \* > \*\*Maxxim magazine had an article some time ago that compared some of the laws, and showed some of the dumber ones here in the US. like the fact that the average conviction for murder gets you something like 7.6 years in jail, and the average conviction for pot gets you closer to 10 years in jail. I don’t remember exactly when it was, so i can’t link it, but it was interesting nonetheless. > \*\* Definitely not true today, and I doubt it ever was. While I’m all for legalization, its a myth that people who get busted for simple posession nowadays go to prison. Depends on the state, but its usually a fine, court hassles, and maybe something like community service. ---
**Author:** ![Monster104](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Monster104](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monster104)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/42 "2003-05-31T19:34:08Z")
> [@](#): > > A considerably more important factor in driving than agressiveness/paranoia, etc., is reaction time. And pot slows reaction time - just ask the stoner who laughs at the joke five minutes after it was told. I just want to pop in and say that not all stoners are like that. Back in high school as a member of the kickboxing club, I would spar with my fellow kickboxers while stoned and I would totally kick their asses, and you NEED fast reflexes and reaction times in order to be a good kickboxer. I tried kickboxing drunk once. It didn’t work very well. ---
**Author:** ![that.sound.again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e5b9ba/32.png) [@that.sound.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that.sound.again)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/43 "2003-06-01T12:02:26Z")
Thanks, **GoHeels** and **Sofa King** , for making the general attitude overthere a little more clear to me. And rest assured that I have no intentions of sneering at the US in this particular matter. Not when I hear how similar the ordinary person’s view is to ours. And you are right - marijuana isn’t exactly legalized here, decriminalized is a better term for it. And while this is a practical solution that works for the majority of smokers, I think it’s a double standard at best. Ideally, the law should be enforced, and if most people agree a certain law is wrong then it should be changed instead of remaining in the legislation with everyone just turning the blind eye. Well, it’s not liable to change until the next generation of politicians take over. Actually, seven of eight leaders of the major parties’ youth organizations are in favor of legalization. Including the rightmost ones. And those guys are going to be the future government leaders, however the elections go. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/44 "2003-06-05T04:30:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neutron star \* > \*\* > Pot smokers don’t smoke and smoke until they render themselves unconscious, like many alcohol abusers do. They practice something called auto-titratation, which means they smoke enough of the drug to get them good and high, then they stop for a while. They just don’t feel like smoking anymore. This is the nature of the drug. > \*\* Really? I never got the official how-to manual of moderate tranquility. It’s an hallucinogen and like any other drug, people use it to get shit-faced. if you smoke yourself unconscious, you are wading in deadly waters. As I remember, the only reason to stop was to eat brownies. I would agree long term users don’t abuse it like an alcoholic, but short time users do. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/45 "2003-06-05T18:28:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Magiver \* > \*\* > It’s an hallucinogen and like any other drug, people use it to get shit-faced. if you smoke yourself unconscious, you are wading in deadly waters. > \*\* The fact that you even think a pot smoker could smoke himself unconscious shows about how informed you are on this topic. The only way it could happen is if you burned a bale of weed in a small apartment and passed out from smoke inhalation. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/46 "2003-06-05T19:00:43Z")
It’s a hallucionogen? I’ve never hallucinated on it, and don’t know anyone else who has ever had a pot-induced hallucination unless the pot was laced with some other drug like LSD. Also through extensive research in my own indpendent experiments in college I have also found that it is pretty freaking impossible to get baked enough to pass out. Furthest we ever got was falling asleep watching bad movies on TBS. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/47 "2003-06-05T19:26:34Z")
One can hallucinate by ingesting THC. The hallucinations probably won’t be anywhere near as strong as they would be with LSD or psilocybin, but you can experience mild hallucination. Usually, this happens when you eat (rather than smoke) large amounts of pot. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/48 "2003-06-06T01:39:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\*It’s a hallucionogen? I’ve never hallucinated on it, and don’t know anyone else who has ever had a pot-induced hallucination unless the pot was laced with some other drug like LSD. > > Also through extensive research in my own indpendent experiments in college I have also found that it is pretty freaking impossible to get baked enough to pass out. Furthest we ever got was falling asleep watching bad movies on TBS. \*\* I was also referring to my own independent experiments. Not sure where the line is between passed out and falling asleep. Missed a number of concerts just staring into space. Got to see my own personal “Peter Max” movie once on some good stuff. My friends had to drive me around for hours before I could answer 2 questions in a row. I remember having the sensation of looking down at my body. Novice smokers shouldn’t start with the good stuff. I used a pipe and would exhale first and then inhale it. Nothing, nothing, nothing, doink, plop. I guess it was fortunate that I had such a rough time with it. As a cigar smoker I love the taste of it. Not a good combination. Also restricted by random drug tests. Can’t say I miss the effects, but the smell, oh the smell. ---
**Author:** ![MmmDonut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MmmDonut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MmmDonut)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/49 "2003-06-06T02:45:41Z")
HI! I was lurking on the SDMB, and have glanced at this thread a few times, always wanting to comment, but, accountless, until now. As a marijuana smoker, naturally, I must defend my most favorite vice. First of all: the effects of marijuana on driving. The common assumption is that marijuana impairs a person’s ability to drive a car, which is, most likely, true… to an extent. I think, since the most common intoxicating drug people consume is alcohol, they tend to assume marijuana has similar effects, and causes similar degrees of impairment. That’s just not the case. Take a look at [this](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12373440&dopt=Abstract) article on PubMed… > [@](#): > > CONCLUSIONS: Although field sobriety tests are often used to determine driving impairment, these results suggest that impaired balance following marijuana use may not coincide with slowed reaction time. Conversely, braking impairment from low doses of alcohol may not be revealed by tests of balance. There are other studies that have come to similar conclusions. I’m not advocating that people go smoke marijuana and then drive, I’m just saying that the conclusions of this study fly in the face of the assumption that marijuana impairs reaction time. Obviously there are other indicators of impairment; I’m just trying to highlight the fact that marijuana does not have that drastic of an effect on motor skills, ESPECIALLY in comparison to alcohol. Now, about the supposedly super-strong Canadian marijuana. If we go by the concentration of THC as a measure of the potency of the herb, then, on average, it’s probably more potent. Still, what does that have to do with it’s danger, relative to the crappier varieties? Not much, I think. THC has been studied, it’s practically non-toxic. As others have said, it’s impossible to overdose on weed. Literally. I’ve tried. Since THC has been proven to be fairly free of serious toxicity, it’s greater concentration should not enhance it’s overall harm. More importantly, as the concentrations increase, the level of carcinogens(the tar) decrease, making it actually safer to smoke. If I recall, the highest THC content of any strain tested is 25%… that means that it’s probably the safest kind. So… yeah. I wish they would just leave marijuana alone. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/50 "2003-06-06T03:09:59Z")
I’m CERTAIN that you meant “as a friend of a marijuana smoker” or “as a former marijuana smoker”. You should email a mod and gett hem to change that for you. And while you’re at it ask them to delete this post as well. ---
**Author:** ![MmmDonut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MmmDonut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MmmDonut)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/51 "2003-06-06T03:23:12Z")
uhh, I guess… Did I break a rule? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/52 "2003-06-06T16:09:27Z")
From the **About This Message Board** forum: > [@](#): > > [**Talking about sex and illegal drugs at the SDMB**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2341019&highlight=drugs#post2341019) > > **Drugs** > Illegal (in the USA) Drugs - You are allowed discussion of the effects of drugs, but do not discuss where to buy them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, discussion of current use is not. Please include a disclaimer that the drug is illegal in the US. ---
**Author:** ![frithrah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frithrah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frithrah)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/53 "2003-06-06T16:27:04Z")
I’m sure Donut was referring solely to his activities while vacationing in countries where these activities are tolerated. Interesting though. What constitutes past use? Back in college? A half hour ago? I understand the legitimate concerns of the mods and it isn’t my intent to raise their ire. They seem like very reasonable people. Take for instance their stance on the length of a sig. They set the limit and then go on to address the subject of what constitutes a sig, the answer being, “Don’t be a smart ass, just use some common sense and try to cooperate.” But I wonder if this past vs. current usage could be more explicitly defined. ---
**Author:** ![MmmDonut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MmmDonut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MmmDonut)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/54 "2003-06-06T17:15:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frithrah \* > \*\*I’m sure Donut was referring solely to his activities while vacationing in countries where these activities are tolerated. > Interesting though. What constitutes past use? Back in college? > A half hour ago? I understand the legitimate concerns of the mods and it isn’t my intent to raise their ire. They seem like very reasonable people. Take for instance their stance on the length of a sig. They set the limit and then go on to address the subject of what constitutes a sig, the answer being, “Don’t be a smart ass, just use some common sense and try to cooperate.” But I wonder if this past vs. current usage could be more explicitly defined. \*\* yeah… umm… I meant it… uhh… kind of like the sober alcohol abuser is still an alcoholic. I should have read the rules, rather than making such an impetuous post. Thanks for the clarification, **SimonX**! ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/55 "2003-06-06T19:06:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SimonX \* > \*\*I’m CERTAIN that you meant “as a friend of a marijuana smoker” or “as a former marijuana smoker”. > You should email a mod and gett hem to change that for you. > And while you’re at it ask them to delete this post as well. \*\* Huh? Admitting drug use isn’t any sort of prosecutable crime, in this medium. Can we go arrest the Rolling Stones for the multitude of songs in which they admit drug use? ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021/56 "2003-06-06T19:18:50Z")
Though, yes, I see that the Board Rules might come into play. Anyway, it’s up to the mods to decide, so I’ll just slink out quietly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-is-the-most-dangerous-marijuana/178021.md?page=2)