THEY CALL IT “DOPE” FOR A REASON 

During the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the tobacco industry carried out one of history’s most successful campaigns to influence America’s perception of the use of tobacco.  They used radio, movies, magazines, newspapers, billboards, TV, etc. to convince Americans of three things:  1) Tobacco products were not harmful to our health, 2) They would make our lives better, 3) Using them would make us “cool”.  As the products evolved, so did the ads.  We were introduced to filtered cigarettes, cigarettes with menthol, etc. Throughout those years, the medical world was telling us that the opposite was true.  They tried to explain that there were significant dangers to using tobacco in various forms.  Eventually, the medical world’s message overcame the ads and people slowly began to reject the hype.  Regulations have been put in place.  Taxes on tobacco products have been made oppressive.  Use has been greatly reduced.  But, no one can deny that the campaign was enormously successful…for a time.  During those decades almost half of our population was using tobacco products regularly at its peak.  Our hospital records and graveyards testify to the success of the campaign.

Now, another product has taken the place of tobacco.  The marijuana industry has copied the tobacco campaign.  The message is the same:  1) Marijuana is not harmful to our health, 2) It makes our lives better, 3) Using it will make us “cool”.  They have introduced another inducement.  They say we can make big bucks off of the industry.  Once again, science is telling us that we shouldn’t believe the hype.  It’s just another ruse that will cause disaster for millions of people.  Eventually, the population will see the truth and we will scratch our heads and wonder how we could have been such dopes.

I did a survey of what medical science is saying about the dangers of marijuana use.  I investigated what the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Foundation for a Drug Free World had to say.  Then I watched the testimonies of a half a dozen young people and what they had to say about how marijuana has impacted their lives.  Here is a summary of my investigation: The NIDA reports that…

In 2015, more than 11 million 18-25 year old youth used pot.

THC acts on our brain cell receptors over activating them causing a sense of “high”.  It alters our senses, our sense of time, changes our mood, impairs body movement, impairs our thinking and problem solving abilities, impairs our memory, negatively effects brain development, irritates our lungs causing the same symptoms as cigarette smoking, raises the heart rate for 3 hours causing an increased chance of heart attack and stroke.  Babies born to pot users have a lower birth weight, problems with memory, attention, & problem solving.  Teens who use pot heavily can lose 8 IQ points early in life.

The NIDA goes on to say pot use is linked to: poorer mental and physical health, poorer relationships, less academic and career success, more drop outs for high school and college students, job accidents, and injuries.  9 to 30% of regular pot users develop marijuana use disorder (addiction)…especially when they start using as teens.

The FDFW says:  THC remains in the body for weeks or even months.  Pot smoke contains 50 to 70 % more cancer causing substances than tobacco smoke.  One joint equals 5 cigarettes as to danger to lungs.  Pot changes the structure of sperm cells and deforms them.  THC disrupts nerve cells in brain effecting memory.  In the short term, pot causes memory loss, anxiety, paranoia, panic, hallucinations, impairs reaction time, increases heart rate, impairs coordination & driving abilities, and causes sexual problems for men.  In the long term, there can be a decline in IQ, poorer school performance, higher drop out rates, impaired thinking, learning & task performance.  Pot users abuse opiates at a higher rate, have relationship problems and engage in more partner abuse, and have higher unemployment rates.  90% of cocaine users started with pot and/or alcohol.  A survey of postal workers that tested positive for pot, had 55% more accidents, 85% more injuries, and 75% increase in absentee rate.

The testimonies I viewed of pot abusers confirmed: Today’s pot is much more potent than in the 1970’s.  They all testified to the negative effects on their academics and sport participation.  They all started with casual use and evolved into an everyday habit where they tried to escape life and couldn’t do much of anything without pot.  Eventually, their purpose in life was to get high.  They were preoccupied with the desire for their high.  They became irritable, nervous, sleepless, and depressed.  They dropped out of school, separated from their families, and were eventually jobless.  They admitted to driving dangerously.

They explained the slippery slope of pot use.  The more they used, the more pot it took to get high.  Eventually, they had to use harder drugs to get a high that satisfied.  It wasn’t hard to get harder drugs because drug pushers hang with pot users knowing they will soon be customers.  They all agreed that the push for legalizing pot is just hype and pot took their lives away.

Corrupt politicians will push the financial button to condone legalizing pot.  But, it makes no sense.  They make claims of billions of dollars in increased income to the state to build roads, and pay for better education.  All that income is wasted!  Who cares if the roads are better?  They are now filled with drivers who are stoned and are killing people.  Who cares if we have newer school buildings and more teachers?  The classrooms are emptying because the potheads have dropped out and those who are left are too stoned to read a watch.  I worked on campus in the early 70’s.  I was at one of our most highly rated colleges.  The students were brilliant.  But, marijuana became very common and these bright youth couldn’t find their way to class…if they even went.  We had to stand on the corner and guide these bright students to the right building because they were too stoned to read a map or bring the right book to class. 

The real elephant in the room, that nobody mentions, is lost productivity.  Any increase in income is offset by the plunge in worker productivity that drains profits.  Nobody talks about how many billions are lost because workers show up stoned or don’t show up at all.

Politicians will say it has medical benefits for some who suffer from some ailments.  Mayo Clinic says you can get the relief using dronabinol and nabilone without exposing yourself to the dangers of smoking pot.  They also say there are risks in using pot for medical reasons like:  addiction for 10% of those who start before age 25, breathing problems from smoking pot, dizziness, impairs concentration and memory, increases heart rate which can lead to heart attacks or strokes, slows reactions, and can cause withdrawal symptoms.

There is a reason its called “dope”.  As one user testified, it makes you stupid.  You have to be a dope to buy it, use it, give it to others, and/or condone it.