wondering what other people think

Tanya - posted on 04/05/2010

Okay Jennifer,instead of doing spell checks etc why don't you look at the big picture - I mean okay, fair enough that you think that I am spouting out garbage. But there is no need to be personal about this issue, back when people first started smoking it did not have extra chemicals in it and that's a fact but because people are now starting to grow hydros they are using things to make them bigger and better - when they are really using stuff that does harm people. I too enjoyed smoking weed (I don't now) and know alot of people who smoke and how they react when they don't have any, I never judge people who still do smoke it. It is a lot better to infact eat it and drink as a tea rather than the way people abuse the use of it. There is no need to place judgement on me as I am free to place my opinions and that you have no God given right to judge me - you don't know me. So are you saying that teenagers as young as 14 - 17 year olds are allowed to use it, because it is a know fact that these are the ages they start developing mental issues. It also depends on the quantity of use, some people don't smoke it straight they mix it with tobacco to get an extra "spin" out of it, this is actually more harmful as it increases their chances of harming their lungs, because of the effects of both of them together are a lot worse than either of them alone. This drug can cause anxiety and panic attacks it's a known fact and at very high doses it can also cause confusion, delusions (beliefs not based in reality), and hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that aren't really there) which occures more in adolescents that smoke. It is also recommended that if people have a history of mental illness, such as schizophrenia or those that are vulnerable to developing such problems, cannabis is known to trigger an episode and cannabis can also make their symptoms worse. It is good when the cannabis is used for medical use but that itself is a different issue altogether. I know alot of people and family member who abuse the use of cannabis, so you don't need to tell me that I don't know what I am on about. So lets not generalize and place names and calling people dumb or whatever, as I was just placing my opinion and this is supposed to be a free country - whatever........

Meghan - posted on 04/05/2010

ok, here is another thing for everyone to think about. Again I don't smoke pot! Do any of you really think the CPS or social services could or WOULD take a child away from a parent b/c they smoke occasionally? Honestly guys, I think they are a little more busy with the JUNKIE parents that leave their kids in crack houses or are totally incapable of taking care of them, the ones who have meth labs and grow shows in their basement, the ones that phsically and sexually abuse their children. I know it wouldn't be good for the parent, but I have heard of a lot of cases where parents use cocaine and crack-while their children are sleeping and as long as those babies are fed, clothed and aren't in the same room those loser parents where still able to keep their children. I don't think that just because a parent smokes pot they are going to have a druggie kid! That is just ignorant. I also think it is ignorant to say that a parent that smokes pot is immature, not a good parent, shouldn't have kids etc I know a few mom's that smoke and they are some of the best mom's I have seen. Different stroaks for different folks and there are far worse things a parent or a full grown child could do!

Megan - posted on 04/05/2010

Plus, the ONLY reason that weed is illegal is because the government can't keep tabs on who's selling it and put a tax on it. Why do you think cigarettes are still legal? Because the govt get billions of dollars from the tax on them! Weed is not an hallucinogenic (unless it's laced with something else), it's effects are not long lasting and it does have many medicinal qualities like it can cure insomnia and can be used as a pain killer.

There's a lot worse drugs these parents could be taking in the presence of their children!

Megan - posted on 04/05/2010

This post reminded me of a news story I'd read a few weeks back:



"A Kentucky cook put his five-week-old son in the oven overnight while he went to bed, CNN reported Tuesday.



Larry Long, 33, had been smoking marijuana at the restaurant where he works before returning home to share a fifth of whiskey with the baby’s mother, Brandy Hatton, McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden said in a statement.



High and drunk, he put the baby in the oven - which he left switched off and slightly ajar - and went to bed.



It wasn’t until he woke at 5:30 a.m. (local time) to hear the baby’s cries coming from the oven that he realized what he had done.





Long immediately called emergency and a mental health crisis line, who then alerted authorities.



"He actually called a mental health crisis line immediately thereafter and told them that he had done this. And they contacted us," Hayden said.



The baby was found to be unharmed after emergency crews transported him to a local hospital.



Police arrested and charged Long with first degree wanton endangerment. He is being held on bail of $10,000.



Long blamed his actions on the marijuana, which he believes was laced with a hallucinatory agent, officials said.



The infant was removed from his mother’s care and is in the custody of members of her family."



I think if you really need to smoke or drink to unwind, you should make a night of it, send bub off to the grandparents or a babysitter's house so there's no risk of neglecting or harming them.



I personally don't have a huge problem with weed users, I have experimented with it in the past and don't think that users are bad parents. I would however hope that they could look past their own immediate need, make sure their kids are the safest they can be and make arrangements for them to be elsewhere. Plus, you could then relax and enjoy yourself while knowing you don't have a child that might wake up and need tending to.

Heather - posted on 04/05/2010

Well as a person who advocates the legalization of medical marijuana, I would like to know where all you people get your information??? Where are all these studies that say that marijuana is so dangerous? There are plenty of places around the world where marijuana is legal...as legal as alcohol. So do you who are soooo against it, have a problem with using it if it were legal? I say "using" and not "smoking" because you dont just have to smoke it to get the effects...you can cook with it, or vaporize it, they even have tinctures that are THC. Personally, I vaporize, and I do not use it in front of my child and there is no smoke or smell...but I dare say that by the time my son is a teen marijuana will be legal in the US, and will be looked at no differently than alcohol...maybe even viewed as a safer alternative. I would rather a parent be stoned around their kids than drunk. I just read an article about mommy and me play groups where moms get together...with their kids...and drink wine, or have cocktails, then strap the kiddos in the car and DRIVE HOME! I think this is wayyyyy more shocking and scary than a mom who takes a few puffs of marijuana at the end of a long day. There are so many things that parents do that IMO are just as bad, or worse...like ignoring your kids and sitting on a computer all day, for example. If you dont like it...dont do it!!! Its pretty simple. I dont see why everyone needs to be so damn judgmental...we all have our vices...whether it is pot, or alcohol, coffee, diet pills, perscription pills, energy drinks, food, shopping, or the internet. We all have em...so what makes yours better than mine?

Whitney - posted on 04/05/2010

ashley rackovan you took the words right out of my mouth!!!!!!!

Whitney - posted on 04/05/2010

i don't agree with doing drugs if you have kids living in the house with you. it comes down to common sense and respect and being a parent. if you smoke in the house, the kids are going to be exposed to it no matter what, directly or indirectly. why would you want to introduce your kids to something like that? take a hot bath, watch a movie, have sex........not drugs.

Ashley - posted on 04/05/2010

I think people who do that kind of stuff should not be parents!!They dont deserve to be a parent!!It makes me so mad!!!

Heather - posted on 04/05/2010

Erin, did you seriously just put pot smoking and getting an epidural in the same sentence together? So, someone who gets an epidural after 22 hours of hard labor because their doctor is hoping it will relax them enough to start dilating is the same as someone who uses an illegal drug around their children to unwind? Generations ago, my child could have been born sick because my water broke and he had to be out within 24 hours. He wasn't moving, I wasn't dilating. I was 53 minutes away from a c-section when I finally got to 10 and started pushing - thanks to the epidural.

Since that first kid, my doctor knows my body, he ordered the epidural when I arrived in the maternity ward with my other kids. Ok, the second one we tried for hours again, with no dilating, but within 1 hour of the epidural, I started progressing quickly.

That must be it, I'm just lazy.

And even if it didn't help me dilate, there is absolutely nothing illegal, immoral, or wrong with wanting pain relief. Nothing. And no mother should be made to feel bad because they chose that route.

I'll also say after 4 epidurals, epidural does not equal no pain every time. In fact, it didn't mean that with any of my kids.

Amanda - posted on 04/05/2010

I don't think its a good idea at all for parents to smoke pot. They need to be responsible adults and put their kids needs before theirs. I will have a drink or two at the end of the night, but nothing close to being drunk. I def. dont think its a good idea to smoke anything in the house, that smoke can easily travel to where your kids are sleeping. You are your kids role model, you need to set a good example for them to follow.

Valerie - posted on 04/05/2010

ok I've read all the post and I believe everyone has a right to their oppinion as well as the right to raise their children in a safe drud free environment. The question at hand is...Is Marijauna a drug, how harmful is it to the user and what are the benefits? I do not and never will advocate smaking any substance gigerretes or marijuana in front of a child because it is harmful to their developing bodies. I also do not advocate giving your child alchohal because you are drinking it, or giving them your perscription medication because a doctor said it's ok. If someone is using marijuana in a responsible manner than they would not be getting so "f-ed up" as one person put it that they could not care for their child, and if they were it would be no different than drinking so much alchohol that they were too "f-ed" up to care for their child then too. I think marijuana has gotten a bad reputation and most people that have such strong negative oppiniona about have either never been around it, or were around it in a way were it was being abused and have gotten a negative attitude for it. I believe marijuana can be used in many ways that are now being treated by perscription pills and honestly some of the pain killers and anti depressants out there cause way more harm and render you far more incpable of caring for your self let alona a child than marijauan would. Any substance has the potential to be abused and used to just get high, shoot even benedryl has been know to be abused for the high, but I believe marijauna has gotten a bad rep. Pharmasutical companies are the major contributors for the anti- marijuana campain and that has a huge part in the fact that because marijuana is grown naturally it can't be regultaed by the FDA just like herbal suppliments and therefore thhe drug companies can't tax it or make money off it and soooo many people if given the change would switch from the pill their doctors are refilling for them like crazy, to the marijuana that has less side effects and is far less damaging to your organs. AGAIN if you are taking any drug prescribed or not, or drinking alchohol to "unwind" because your stressed out that's not ok and it leaves a huge potential for abuse and your child will be effected, but if marijuana is being used reponsibly and out of harms way of any children, I don't think we should say they are bad parents.

Pam - posted on 04/05/2010

Seriously? I'm with you on this one. I had gestational diabetes with both my children and the most important thing for me was to take care of myself because it was not about me anymore but about the health of my children. My kids are the most important thing to me and I would never jeopardize their health. All kids as we know follow in their parents footsteps so I guess if you are good with your kid doing drugs; continue on.

Shelley - posted on 04/05/2010

The thing that gets me....is that most people don't put crap fuel in their cars, yet you can always replace a car. But people still take drugs, knowing full well what irreversible damage it is doing to their bodies, and we only get the one chance with it!

I get so frustrated with the argument that it is not "that bad" and there are worse drugs out there, chill out! Grow up and respect your LIFE and the lives of your children!

It is so much better to be there for our kids from the start and not regret missing out on anything because you are in a "haze" from drugs. Any type of drug!



Even if only one parent is using drugs, what gives you the right to "escape" from it all, leaving all responsibility of looking after your kids on the other parents shoulders. Its meant to be a partnership.



Its time to lose the selfishness of our youth, and be role models for our kids to rely on.

Elizabeth (Libby) - posted on 04/05/2010

I agree. Pot IS an illegal drug for good reason...read the studies. The use of it, even casually, around developing children is simply unconscionable. I would say to those parents: find another way to unwind that doesn't harm your kids for Pete's sake!

Elizabeth (Libby) - posted on 04/05/2010

I agree. Pot IS an illegal drug for good reason...read the studies. The use of it, even casually, around developing children is simply unconscionable. I would say to those parents: find another way to unwind that doesn't harm your kids for Pete's sake!

Brandy - posted on 04/05/2010

I do not agree with smoking pot around kids...either sleeping or in the other room but people have to remember that you cant shake your head at others when many will have a few beer or a few glasses of wine around children! Illegal or not I dont agree with either senarios.

April - posted on 04/05/2010

Ok to everyone about the marijuana. First off, I don’t smoke marijuana, I think it has become something different than than originally planned for. Secondly, there is a reason it is illegal, you can’t control the THC count in the marijuana. Making marijuana stronger with the new strains for a bigger high, making marijuana stronger than booze and from what I have seen people that continuously smoke marijuana need to find a stronger strain after a while. Thirdly, the medical marijuana card is a joke. Anyone can get one for any reason. I know one person with MS and it works for her, great. However, the other people get one from a sham doctor just to smoke marijuana. The dispensaries are popping up and selling such a high strain that people who smoke marijuana here and there can’t even smoke this stuff.



If you want to smoke marijuana, fine, it’s your thing. But don’t do it anywhere near your kids. They look up to their parents and if their parents do drugs (because marijuana is still a drug) all the schooling about saying no to drugs will become a joke. When they are teens and into rebellion, they will be more likely to try drugs and maybe even go further into experimenting with drugs. Marijuana does not compare to having a glass of wine at times so I’m not sure of the reference earlier in postings. But if a parent is throwing back a 12 pack of beer or a bottle of wine a night, there is a problem.

Erin - posted on 04/05/2010

WOW! Half of you moms on here are absolutely crazy. I don't see how you can justify smoking pot at all, and if you are smoking it, how would you even really know if your judgment was impaired or not?? You're busy getting high! LOL If you are using it as a way to wind down from dealing with your kids, then you are just lazy and looking for an excuse to use it. This generation is totally going down, moms don't want to deal with the kids so they smoke pot..they can't handle the pain of childbirth so they get an epidural to make it easier. Life is tough sometimes, deal with it! What do you people think women did years ago???? This generation is quickly becoming lazy, uneducated and selfish!

Amber - posted on 04/05/2010

and i totally agree, smoking AROUND their children is irresponsible and totally wrong.

Amber - posted on 04/05/2010

I think its a personal choice. A lot of parents drink while with their kids and in my opinion its worse than pot. Most ppl who smoke pot on a daily basis dont even get stoned from smoking anymore, they just feel mellow.

Having said all that, I dont smoke at all anymore. Quit once i got pregnant.

Kristie - posted on 04/05/2010

If parents are going to smoke pot outside the house after the kids are in bed that is their choice to do so, but to smoke pot in the house around the kids means one thing to me "White Trash" give your head a shake and call CAS those children deserve a better life!

Deb - posted on 04/05/2010

As a health professional, I disagree with smoking entirely, and smoking an illegal substance absolutely wrong. For those parents who smoke marijuana, consider this: If you are reported you run the risk of court hearings, jail time or fines, and quite possibly legal or social services interceding on behalf of your children. Pregnant women who smoke marijuana run the risk of preterm birth and low birth weights. The drug is also associated with memory and learning defects, respiratory problems, and a myriad of other adverse effects.



Responsible parents need to understand the long term impact of their actions on their children. They need to think for their children and to teach by example as well as by words. I would hope that all parents admit to themselves their own shortcomings and correct their risk taking behaviors in order protect their children.

Amanda - posted on 04/05/2010

I can copy and paste too :0)



Dr. Mikkel Arendt - research is primarily focused on the co-morbidity between cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, but he has also published original research on PTSD, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.



Employed at the Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

Master's degree - Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus in 2001

PhD degree - Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus in 2006.

Visiting researcher at Columbia University, New York in 2006 and 2009.



In the current study, the researchers looked at the genetic roots of both conditions by comparing the family histories of 609 people treated for cannabis-induced psychosis and 6,476 who had been treated for schizophrenia or a related psychiatric condition.



They found that individuals treated for post-pot smoking psychotic episodes had the same likelihood of having a mother, sister or other "first-degree" relative with schizophrenia as did the individuals who had actually been treated for schizophrenia themselves. This suggests that cannabis-induced psychosis and schizophrenia are one and the same, the researchers note. "These people would have developed schizophrenia whether or not they used cannabis," Arendt explained in comments to Reuters Health.



Based on the findings, the researcher says, "cannabis-induced psychosis is probably not a valid diagnosis. It should be considered schizophrenia."



It's "very common" for people to have psychotic symptoms after using marijuana, such as hearing voices, feeling paranoid, or believing one has some type of special ability, Arendt said. But these symptoms typically last only an hour or two. "It's a very important distinction, this 48 hours criterion," he said.





I will get to the rest of your comments later, so I do not have time to do the research for you.

Erin - posted on 04/05/2010

Amanda, I appreciate you trying to get real information out, but let's further clarify a few things.

You said:
"Pot does not cause schizophrenia"

I say

With several groups of adolescents as their subjects, scientists recently used a special type of MRI called diffusion tensor imaging to compare the brains of those with and without schizophrenia, both users and non-users of marijuana. They found that heavy use of marijuana caused the type of abnormalities in certain areas of the brain as were found in the brains of the subjects with schizophrenia, and these abnormalities were the most pronounced in schizophrenic subjects who regularly smoked marijuana. The abnormalities occur in a brain pathway related to language and auditory functions which is still developing during adolescence.

Thus if a young person is genetically at risk for schizophrenia, the research suggests, the use of marijuana can cause the same kind of damage the schizophenia would cause, which could bring on the illness when it might otherwise have not have emerged, cause earlier onset, and/or worsen the condition.

You said "Pot is not phyiscally addictive. Though some with addictive personalities could become mentally addicted."

I say
Twenty years of scientific research, coupled with even longer clinical experience, has taught us that Focusing on this physical vs. psychological distinction is off the mark, and a distraction from the real issue. From both clinical and policy perspectives, it does not matter much what physical withdrawal symptoms occur. Other aspects of addiction are far more important.

Physical dependence is not that important because, first, even the florid withdrawal symptoms of heroin and alcohol addiction can be managed with appropriate medications. Therefore, physical withdrawal symptoms should not be at the core of our concerns about these substances.

Second, and more important, many of the most addicting and dangerous drugs do not even produce very severe physical symptoms upon withdrawal. Crack cocaine and methamphetamine are clear examples. Both are highly addicting, but stopping their use produces very few physical withdrawal symptoms, certainly nothing like the physical symptoms of alcohol or heroin withdrawal.

What does matter tremendously is whether or not a drug causes what we now know to be the essence of addiction: uncontrollable, compulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. This is the crux of how many professional organizations all define addiction, and how we all should use the term. It is really only this expression of addiction - uncontrollable, compulsive craving, seeking and use of drugs - that matters to the addict and to his or her family, and that should matter to society as a whole. These are the elements responsible for the massive health and social problems caused by drug addiction.

You said
"A few tokes off a joint is not as dangerous as a glass of booze. A person who has drank a mixed drink, glass of wine, a beer is more impaired then a person who has had a few tokes of a joint. The symtoms of pot smoking also wears off faster then booze."

I say
1. A study was designed to examine the effects of marijuana and alcohol when taken alone and in combination on human skills performance and mood.
2. Four dosage conditions were employed for each drug (placebo and three active doses). All possible combinations of these dosage conditions were tested (ie 16 dosage groups).
3. Twenty subjects were used for each dosage group, the experiment employing 320 subjects in all. Each subject attended the laboratory on one occasion only.
4. The results of this study indicate clearly that alcohol and marijuana are distinctly different drugs. The effects produced on the performance measures were qualitatively and quantitatively different. In addition, the differences in the nature of the drug-induced subjective intoxication and the self-reported changes in mood effects such as anxiety and alertness, strongly suggested different drug actions.
5. The ability to discriminate and assess the degree of intoxication with alcohol was not affected by marijuana. However, the ability to assess the intoxication due to marijuana was greatly affected by alcohol. The subjective intoxication produced by marijuana appears to be of a more subtle nature than that produced by alcohol.
6. Evidence is presented which suggests that under the influence of alcohol, subjects engage in a “speed-accuracy trade-off”. They are prepared to make a hasty response to a question rather than to spend more time to ensure a correct answer. This effect could be related to a risk-taking behaviour. The results with marijuana on the other hand suggested a slower and more careful approach to the problem, though as with alcohol, an increased error rate in responses was recorded.
7. Evidence is presented which suggests that marijuana produces periodic attentional lapses.
8. The results strongly suggest that the performance deficits and mood changes produced by alcohol are of a greater magnitude than those produced by marijuana.

Number 4 and 5 were so subjective that I don't have the wind to respond, but let's say your assessments certainly aren't considered the unanimous opinion of the scientific or medical community.

Number 6 I know absolutely nothing about.

Lorenza - posted on 04/05/2010

Wow! Wow! Then we wonder why children are the way they are in today's society. It might be legal in some countries in Europe but not here. If one must use pot it is your choice but do it in the privacy away from your children. As a parent we are the role models that they see. Monkey see monkey do. If you don't want the children to use pot or breathe it them don't use it. Give your heads a shake.

Amanda - posted on 04/05/2010

Lets have a little lesson on pot, because I am sick of reading the misconceptions of the drug.



1. Pot does not cause schizophrenia. Though pot can and will make schizophrenia worse in a person who already has it.



2. Pot is not phyiscally addictive. Though some with addictive personalities could become mentally addicted.



3. A few tokes off a joint is not as dangerous as a glass of booze. A person who has drank a mixed drink, glass of wine, a beer is more impaired then a person who has had a few tokes of a joint. The symtoms of pot smoking also wears off faster then booze.



4. Many people in the world use pot for medical reasons, because the high and damage of pot is less than the drugs a doctor will prescribe. Ie oxycotton, percs. Most pain killers the avg north american is prescribed are in the family of METH, but no one has a problem with taking these drugs, because a doctor said it was ok.



5. Smoking pot does not make a person irresponsible, or dangerous. One woman mentioned that her hubby was dangerous when he was not high. Did you ever consider he might of been ADHD? Pot is actually a very good mood controler, and many doctors would agree that treating issues like ADHD, ADD, ODD with pot is a very natural way (normally by eatting it so the feeling last longer).



6. Most of USA pot does NOT come from mexico, it is grown right in good old USA. The next country to supply usa is Canada (and trust me no one is dying up here to give you good pot). Then its Mexico which I believe is like 5% of all pot sold in USA. So dont worry Mexicans arent not dying for everyones pot use, they are dying for everyones coke, crack, meth, herion use (which are the drugs many turn to when their LEGAL pain killers stop working or stop being prescribed to them).



Many countries are learning the pros, of pot use, and are loosening up the laws on pot use. So light a blunt, and relax!! :0)

Erin - posted on 04/05/2010

I agree with the sentiment here. The two big problems I have with it are:



A) It's illegal, and should you get caught buying or smoking it, you will at best have to dedicate your family's precious resources to staying out of jail or at worst actually GO to jail, which isn't something your children should have to deal with, and

B) NO one should be intoxicated while caring for a minor. It's not a moral judgment, I like to indulge in a little wine sometimes and a little too much wine other times, but when I am caring for my children I need ALL my wits. You never know when you may be needed to drive a car, deal with an intruder or just have the where-with-all to gently handle a delicate situation with the child.

Rachel - posted on 04/05/2010

I did not see this post but I am floored at the prospect of a parent using illegal drugs to unwind at the end of a day. I am also a stay at home Mommy and I go to school 2 nights a week. My husband spends his days at the police academy and is gone around 10 hours a day. Our daughter is 4 months old. We have a VERY hectic life but we still manage to find good, LEGAL, and safe ways to unwind after a long day. It is far more important that our daughter be safe and sound than Mommy and Daddy have a "relaxation session"

Patricia - posted on 04/05/2010

I really agree with you. They are not being smart or responsible. They are setting a double standard. They will end up with druggies for kids. The kids will do it cause they do it. I find other ways to relax then also. I don't do drugs to nuwind. I am smarter then that. I'd rather not go to jail. You are so right about that way you feel. I feel the same way.

Heather - posted on 04/05/2010

Joanna, I have to agree with you on driving a car while on it. Like I said in mine, I know how it effected me the few times I smoked it, and I don't think anyone would anyone in the condition I was in to be driving a vehicle. If they ever legalize pot, it should have the same restrictions as alcohol and driving. Neither should be done while or before operating a vehicle.

To keep it on topic, I'll just say, I still think it shouldn't be smoked around kids - for the secondhand smoke reasons. And if it affects you the way it did me where you're mesmerized by the feeling of your hair "growing" then you probably shouldn't be high while around your kids either. :)

Should I note that when I tried it, it was right after high school WAY before I had kids so there is no confusion. The strongest thing I do now is Tylenol - without codiene. Straight extra strength Tylenol. And a Bailey's and coffee every couple of months.

I'm so boring. :)

Michelle - posted on 04/05/2010

Totally not true!! Pot smoking AND alcohol BOTH effect people around you. You can't say one is OK while another is not. Both are drugs. What makes one drug "good" while another drug "bad". I have never understood how people classify things in their minds. Any substance that you ingest with the intent to change your mental state can and does effect people around you! Your mental state is altered. So how do you know how it effects others around you when you are altered. Caffeine can also be trouble. I know people who get mean on caffeine and when they are going through withdrawal. Drugs are drugs, legal or not.

Tammy - posted on 04/05/2010

Alcohol is consumed by the individual but smoking pot affects the ones around you.I don't do either but I think it is wrong to make the choice for the people around you by polluting their air!!

Marianne - posted on 04/05/2010

As a healthcare provider, I'd vote to legalize "pot" for pain reduction with an RX.. but anything used daily to "unwind" might be an unhealthy choice, and if BOTH parents are partaking, then who will be responsible and "straight" enough... if there is a family emergency? Potentially, this behaviour could cause you to lose your children? So maybe ask yourself...regardless of the odds..." Should I be doing anything that could potentially harm my relationship with my child?"

Joanna - posted on 04/05/2010

Dawn, I'm sorry I have to quote you here (but don't know how to make the quotes): "You won't get angry and hurt anyone, you won't crash into someone driving down the street..."

First, there has been someone here, and I've witnessed it too, that pot makes them angry... pot makes some people jumpy and fidgety, some people get really paranoid, some people are laid back... everyone does not get the same affect from smoking pot.

And also... you won't crash into someone? REALLY? So you are justifying that people who smoke pot should be able to drive because they won't cause an accident? I've driven quite a few times while stoned, and let me tell you, it was just as dangerous as the one time I drove drunk as a teen. I never hit anyone or anything, but the effects the drug/alcohol had on my brain and my driving sensibility were definitely the SAME!

FAYE - posted on 04/05/2010

If they would use it for medical reasons it would be fine but they use oxidone, hydrocodiene and ect.... for medical reasons and look who uses them! It is a feel good (selfish reasons) drug and that is why it is called a drug. Oh sad that we need excuses to use without a Dr. release But it is what it is

Carole - posted on 04/05/2010

I live in "Pot City", really . . . google it . . . Humboldt County, CA. However, I do not smoke pot. I have seen the real devastation and toll that it can take on a family. My first husband was addicted to marijuana. Yes, I said addicted. I know what you are thinking . . . I thought they siad that marijuana was not an addictive drug . . .well THEY are wrong. It might not be physically addicting, but it is physcologically addicting which can be worse. When my ex had the drug, he was a mellow nice, even somewhat pleasant guy, however, when he was out, he became violent. He could not eat, could not sleep and he tended to use me as a punching bag. Marijuana was his medication of choice and it helped to keep him "normal". He had been smoking for so long, he could not function normally without it. The first time I left him was because he started bringing it into the house to "trim" for money. This not only put him at risk, but even tho I never even touched the stuff, had he been caught, I would have been arrested too and I would have lost my kids. Not a risk I am willing to take for some extra "cash and stash". There are a lot bigger issues here than just smoking a little grass . . . it goes to character. We teach our children right from wrong. We are supposed to be the moral compass in their lives . . .please, set the example. My ex husband never smoked around the kids, and would not do it in the house, but my kids knew what was up. And when they got older, and even after I had left their dad and moved on with my life, (and they were pretty young when I left, and had zero contact with their dad after the divorce), they told me how much they knew and what they understood about the situation of drugs and their dad. It blew me away because I had always thought that I was careful about shielding them from all of the BS. So, even tho you think your kids don't know or understand what you are doing, they do. And it will eventually become a point of embarrassment for them. Please make a different choice. It is not the same as having a beer or a glass of wine and it is still illegal. And unlike one glass of wine or a beer after dinner, pot can keep you from getting employed or staying employed. Why would you limit yourself and your potential just so you can light up?

FAYE - posted on 04/05/2010

I have 5 children all of course are grown up and I did not drink or smole (of any kind) and I had normal pregnantcies. When you are responsible for another life the last thing that should be on your mind is putting a substance in or around your body. Sometimes people need an excuse to be a deadbeat parent and it is the children who suffer!!!!

Jennifer - posted on 04/05/2010

I think judge not lest you be judged and found wanting... also I think the majority of people who freak out about pot smokers and how evil and illegal it is are the same people who find it perfectly fine to suck down alcoholic beverage after alcoholic beverage in front of their kids without even a second thought. I grew up in an alcoholic home and I have to say I would rather see a bunch of people on marijuana around a kid than one sorry drunk. Do you honestly think that just because our corrupt and greedy government says something is illegal because they have not found a way to take monetary advantage of it yet, that it really means its a bad or dangerous thing? This is the same governing body that says cigarettes are fine because they are "legal" and booze is fine because its "legal". Dont forget this same government also once banned alcohol and deemed it "bad and evil" too. Mark my words, when they figure out how to grow and tax pot to their advantage, it will become legal too. Oh and as a stay at home mom with a husband to help support you, just how rough can it really get for you? Try being a working single parent then talk to me about rough.

Even so, bottom line is in my house we dont do either. No alcohol, no drugs no smoking! I just dont want any of it to be around my child. But I am also not naive or stupid enough to freak out because someone smoked pot while at the same time condoning a far worse drug that kills thousands a day in this country while everyone turns a blind eye to it simply because its "legal". Shame! Oh and by the way to Tanya... that would be Serotonin not seratopins... if you are going to try to spout garbage about pot and use brain chemicals to support it at least use a real word for goodness sake! Furthermore, there is no way marijuana causes psychosis or "psychosys" as as you called it... wow. It affects a totally different set of brain chemicals than psychosis inducing chemicals do. Pot is a serotonin inhibitor not reactor therefore it suppresses your seratonin not increases it.Which means it causes you to be drowsy and lazy but not psychotic. Also, you should not smoke pot if you take antidepressants as they can feed off each other and cause problems. But, the warnings for alcohol and any drug or medication are 100 times more stern and abundant. Really, everyone needs to get a grip and get real about pot.

Jennifer - posted on 04/05/2010

I think judge not lest you be judged and found wanting... also I think the majority of people who freak out about pot smokers and how evil and illegal it is are the same people who find it perfectly fine to suck down alcoholic beverage after alcoholic beverage in front of their kids without even a second thought. I grew up in an alcoholic home and I have to say I would rather see a bunch of people on marijuana around a kid than one sorry drunk. Do you honestly think that just because our corrupt and greedy government says something is illegal because they have not found a way to take monetary advantage of it yet, that it really means its a bad or dangerous thing? This is the same governing body that says cigarettes are fine because they are "legal" and booze is fine because its "legal". Dont forget this same government also once banned alcohol and deemed it "bad and evil" too. Mark my words, when they figure out how to grow and tax pot to their advantage, it will become legal too. Oh and as a stay at home mom with a husband to help support you, just how rough can it really get for you? Try being a working single parent then talk to me about rough.

Even so, bottom line is in my house we dont do either. No alcohol, no drugs no smoking! I just dont want any of it to be around my child. But I am also not naive or stupid enough to freak out because someone smoked pot while at the same time condoning a far worse drug that kills thousands a day in this country while everyone turns a blind eye to it simply because its "legal". Shame! Oh and by the way to Tanya... that would be Serotonin not seratopins... if you are going to try to spout garbage about pot and use brain chemicals to support it at least use a real word for goodness sake! Furthermore, there is no way marijuana causes psychosis or "psychosys" as as you called it... wow. It affects a totally different set of brain chemicals than psychosis inducing chemicals do. Pot is a serotonin inhibitor not reactor therefore it suppresses your seratonin not increases it.Which means it causes you to be drowsy and lazy but not psychotic. Also, you should not smoke pot if you take antidepressants as they can feed off each other and cause problems. But, the warnings for alcohol and any drug or medication are 100 times more stern and abundant. Really, everyone needs to get a grip and get real about pot.

Jennifer - posted on 04/05/2010

I think judge not lest you be judged and found wanting... also I think the majority of people who freak out about pot smokers and how evil and illegal it is are the same people who find it perfectly fine to suck down alcoholic beverage after alcoholic beverage in front of their kids without even a second thought. I grew up in an alcoholic home and I have to say I would rather see a bunch of people on marijuana around a kid than one sorry drunk. Do you honestly think that just because our corrupt and greedy government says something is illegal because they have not found a way to take monetary advantage of it yet, that it really means its a bad or dangerous thing? This is the same governing body that says cigarettes are fine because they are "legal" and booze is fine because its "legal". Dont forget this same government also once banned alcohol and deemed it "bad and evil" too. Mark my words, when they figure out how to grow and tax pot to their advantage, it will become legal too. Oh and as a stay at home mom with a husband to help support you, just how rough can it really get for you? Try being a working single parent then talk to me about rough.

Even so, bottom line is in my house we dont do either. No alcohol, no drugs no smoking! I just dont want any of it to be around my child. But I am also not naive or stupid enough to freak out because someone smoked pot while at the same time condoning a far worse drug that kills thousands a day in this country while everyone turns a blind eye to it simply because its "legal". Shame! Oh and by the way to Tanya... that would be Serotonin not seratopins... if you are going to try to spout garbage about pot and use brain chemicals to support it at least use a real word for goodness sake! Furthermore, there is no way marijuana causes psychosis or "psychosys" as as you called it... wow. It affects a totally different set of brain chemicals than psychosis inducing chemicals do. Pot is a serotonin inhibitor not reactor therefore it suppresses your seratonin not increases it.Which means it causes you to be drowsy and lazy but not psychotic. Also, you should not smoke pot if you take antidepressants as they can feed off each other and cause problems. But, the warnings for alcohol and any drug or medication are 100 times more stern and abundant. Really, everyone needs to get a grip and get real about pot.

Dawn - posted on 04/05/2010

Let me say this once again. You cannot become addicted to marijuana! You might think you want it. You will suffer no physical withdrawls if you stop. Cigarettes and alcohol will do you far more damage! And they are both legal along with all the prescription meds.

Dawn - posted on 04/05/2010

I just don't understand everyones problem with smoking pot. I am the mother of 4 kids. Pot is safer than any other drug including alcohol. You cannot become physically addicted to it unlike evrything else. It is impossible to overdose on pot. It may be illegal but why? Where is the scientific justification? It grows naturally. Any other drugs including alcohol are man made. God put it on the planet and I believe it was for us to smoke. I would much rather have pot in my system than some man made narcotic that you can overdose on. You won't get angry and hurt anyone, you won't crash into someone driving down the street, you can't overdose and it helps with certain ailments. Personally I think the world would be a much better place if everyone smoked. People who smoke weed are the most laid back friendly people I have ever met. They are also just as responsible as those of you who choose not to. We have no right to judge anyone else.

Tanya - posted on 04/05/2010

If people want to do it then they should look at other alternatives and not do that shit around children.

Tanya - posted on 04/05/2010

Smoking pot around children can be very harmful for the child as this causes phsycosys issues, every person is born with a chemical called seratopins in their brain and pot can trigger this. So as the child gets older these chemicals get stronger and they become craving for the "pot" and this could lead to them taking up smoking that crap even at a younger age. This then leads to phsycological problems as they will not be able to deal with things and become more selfconcious and peranoid which leads to bypola etc..

Heather - posted on 04/05/2010

Throw me in the category who says pot shouldn't be lumped in with other drugs, I personally don't think it should be illegal, it's nothing like the hard drugs. On that note though, I don't smoke it. I tried it when I was younger and just a few puffs would have me sitting on the couch laughing my butt off about anything and everything around me. Then, I'd pass out. I didn't like it, didn't try it more than a couple of times. And I really don't think my kids should see me in that condition. I don't think it affects everyone the same way it affected me though.



I don't think any smoke should be around kids. Just for health reasons with second hand smoke. And I smoke off and on, ya know, social drinkers? I'm a social smoker. :) But, not around my kids. I choose to put that into my lungs. It's not right of me to force any second hand smoke on my kids.



Since we're relating that to drinking. I rarely ever drink - I don't like how it affects me either. I can have 2 drinks, no more, before I start to get tipsy. However there are a few drinks that I drink because I like the taste. I see no problem with making myself a bailey's and coffee after supper because I like it. Not to unwind. Just because I like it. I've got 4 kids, there's nothing that helps me to unwind, like when all 4 of my kids are finally asleep and I can say, ahhhh. Silence. LOL

Crystal - posted on 04/05/2010

Ok I second that in moderation weed can have no harm! I am a mother of two beautiful boys and I stay at home with them. And at the risk of being judged here......One day I was just in the most horrible mood and everything my oldest son did would irritate me. So I let him go play outside and went to sneek a couple puffs of a joint. As soon as I felt a lil more relaxed I was able to enjoy the whole day! My imagination was there..I sat a played Dinosaurs w/my boy and made him just laugh and laugh. We played football and I taught him a funny enzone dance and he had a picnic outside. We had a blast! Now I'm not saying that I wouldn't do that on any other day w/o a lil help from weed...cause I do it all the time w/o it, but that day I was in the worst mood and didn't want to feel that way all day! I was able to be more attentive to my son b/c I wasn't irritated anymore. Weed will make people lazy and worthless...if you sit there and do it all day long! But on occassion it really helps! It's just like how you feel after a simple glass of wine! Don't do it in the house or in front of your child that to me isn't right! In my opinion smoking cigarettes on a daily basis is worse than an occasional puffs from a joint!

Jess - posted on 04/05/2010

Is anyone else tempted to call Child Services on all those proud pot smoking parents? I don't care how you justify it, and I don't care where your children are, you are putting them in danger and being incrediably selfish. Heaven forbid something happened to your kids while your off getting stoned ! Some people just don't deserve to be parents. If being a parent leads you to breaking the law daily then you should consider whether or not its the right job for you !

Michelle - posted on 04/05/2010

I do not smoke anything period. But just think about this for one second... What is the difference between coming home and smoking pot and drinking? The only problem I see is that it's illegal. California will have something on the ballet this year to legalize pot, possibly. Will you be OK with it when it's legal? Or is it just that it's a drug? Just curious. If the government could regulate it and tax it would it be any different than Alcohol. Remember Alcohol used to be illegal too and was controlled by the mob the same way drugs are by the cartels now. In Amsterdam you can only smoke pot in the smoking bars or your home. Not in public at all or you can get arrested for their version of public drunkenness. Personally I used to use pot and didn't like the way it made me feel. Yucky, crazy college days. But I feel the same way about alcohol and cigarettes. Why demonize just one drug? Alcohol, nicotine, THC, caffeine and many others are all substances known to cause addition and withdrawal symptoms. But only one of those drugs is currently illegal. Just trying to play devils advocate. Personally I have a strong caffeine addiction. Even my kids know mama needs her coffee in the morning or she is very moody. :)

SHALINE - posted on 04/05/2010

I am an end of the day smoker I like smoking pot as some people like drinking alcohol at the end of a hard day. I like to have a couple of pipes at the end of the day, AFTER my Ms4 and Mr 3 are safely tucked away in their beds sound asleep. I have been a daily smoker for nearly 25yrs, I am a stay at home 24/7 mum and I like to think of myself as responsible. Pot is my choice of how I choose to unwind. To have pot in front of your kids is irresponsible and ludicrous, even having a drink in front of kids is irresponsible as well. I know that I could, can and have handled my kids an hour or two after they've been sleeping and a crisis has arisen and I have handled the crisis with ease.

Angela - posted on 04/05/2010

I have 2 family members who used to smoke pot. Boy, it made them both really paranoid and argumentive. They were much more pleasant people off the stuff. Pot can be a dangerous substance for some people to use.