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Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chris on October 13, 2009, 02:21:46 PM

Title: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris on October 13, 2009, 02:21:46 PM
Quote
Last spring, I wrote about applying for a medical marijuana license for my autistic, allergic 9-year-old son, J., in hopes of soothing his gut pain and anxiety, the roots of the behavioral demons that caused him to lash out at others and himself.  How is J. doing now, four months into our cannabis experiment? Well, one day recently, he came home from school, and I noticed something really different: He had a whole shirt on.

Pre-pot, J. ate things that weren’t food. There’s a name for this: pica. (Pregnant women are known to pica on chalk and laundry starch.) J. chewed the collar of his T-shirts while stealthily deconstructing them from the bottom up, teasing apart and then swallowing the threads. By the time I picked him up from the bus stop after school, the front half of his shirt was gone. His pica become so uncontrollable we couldn’t let him sleep with a pajama top (it would be gone by morning) or a pillow (ditto the case and the stuffing). An antique family quilt was reduced to fabric strips, and he even managed to eat holes in a fleece blanket—so much for his organic diet. I started dressing him only in organic cotton shirts, but we couldn’t support the cost of a new one every day. The worst part was watching him scream in pain on the toilet, when what went in had to come out. I had nightmares about long threads knotting in digestive organs. (TMI? Welcome to our life!)

Next, we started seeing changes in J.’s school reports. His curriculum is based on a therapy called Applied Behavioral Analysis, which involves, as the name implies, meticulous analysis of data. At one parent meeting in August (J. is on an extended school year), his teacher excitedly presented his June-July “aggression” chart. An aggression is defined as any attempt or instance of hitting, kicking, biting, or pinching another person. For the past year, he’d consistently had 30 to 50 aggressions in a school day, with a one-time high of 300. The charts for June through July, by contrast, showed he was actually having days—sometimes one after another—with zero aggressions.

I don’t consider marijuana a miracle cure for autism. But as an amateur herbalist, I do consider it a wonderful, safe botanical that allows J. to participate more fully in life without the dangers and sometimes permanent side effects of pharmaceutical drugs; now that we have a good dose and a good strain. (“White Russian”—a favorite of cancer patients, who also need relief from extreme pain). Free from pain, J. can go to school and learn. And his violent behavior won’t put him in the local children’s psychiatric hospital—a scenario all too common among his peers.
http://www.doublex.com/section/health-science/why-i-give-my-9-year-old-pot-part-ii?page=0,1
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 13, 2009, 03:14:26 PM
So s/he's doping him up with a natural drug vs. an engineered one.  He'd be doped either way.  Sounds like it's working.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: mamacags on October 13, 2009, 03:38:25 PM
I don't have any problems with this at all.  If something works then it works.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Deuce on October 13, 2009, 08:32:03 PM
Yeah, banning marijuana from being used for legitimate medical purposes is asinine. Marijuana has also showed promise in treating Alzheimer's, in far greater effectiveness than other medicines we have right now.

All because of some fear of... what, exactly? That medical use would lead to recreational use and then we'd have stoners everywhere wreaking havoc on our convenience stores' supply of doritos?
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: SSG Snuggle Bunny on October 13, 2009, 09:36:00 PM
I'm not pro-recreational use because if potheads could keep heir promise about keeping their habit under wraps then there is no need to legalize because we would never know what they are doing so as to have to arrest them.

However, I've had medically prescribed morphine more than once and it was an absolutely horrifying exerience and would never repeat. I've even refused meds for pancreatitis during my 3rd bout.

That said: I can see my way clear to medical pot because Heaven knows it can't be worse then morphine.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Schadenfreude on October 13, 2009, 09:44:50 PM
I'm not pro-recreational use because if potheads could keep heir promise about keeping their habit under wraps then there is no need to legalize because we would never know what they are doing so as to have to arrest them.

However, I've had medically prescribed morphine more than once and it was an absolutely horrifying exerience and would never repeat. I've even refused meds for pancreatitis during my 3rd bout.

That said: I can see my way clear to medical pot because Heaven knows it can't be worse then morphine.

Tell me about your experience with morphine. My son had it when his knee was dislocated. As you know, he has autism and in all honesty, the morphine seemed to give him clarity of mind.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 12:03:29 AM
Smoking pot is not good on the lungs, especially a child.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 12:25:52 AM
I'm not sure marijuana is going to be any worse for a child than ritalin or aderol.

ADD and ADHD are so often misdiagnosed, yet doctors (and schools) have no problem with a child taking ritalin, aderol or whatever the latest drug is called....in large daily doses. As far as I'm concerned...the only difference is one is legal. (sorry.. this is a real issue for me :censored:)

At least if marijuana is legalized....it would bring in a whole lot of money in taxes.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 14, 2009, 07:37:23 AM
Smoking pot is not good on the lungs, especially a child.

Children don't smoke it.  It's mixed into a digestible substance such as food or a chewable tablet.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Toastedturningtidelegs on October 14, 2009, 07:57:52 AM
I'm not sure marijuana is going to be any worse for a child than ritalin or aderol.

ADD and ADHD are so often misdiagnosed, yet doctors (and schools) have no problem with a child taking ritalin, aderol or whatever the latest drug is called....in large daily doses. As far as I'm concerned...the only difference is one is legal. (sorry.. this is a real issue for me :censored:)

At least if marijuana is legalized....it would bring in a whole lot of money in taxes.
Yes actually! Those drugs are pretty powerful amphetamines. If a "normal" person takes them they have a speedy affect,someone with ADD or ADHD? It actually slows them down!
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 08:02:16 AM
I'm not sure marijuana is going to be any worse for a child than ritalin or aderol.

ADD and ADHD are so often misdiagnosed, yet doctors (and schools) have no problem with a child taking ritalin, aderol or whatever the latest drug is called....in large daily doses. As far as I'm concerned...the only difference is one is legal. (sorry.. this is a real issue for me :censored:)

At least if marijuana is legalized....it would bring in a whole lot of money in taxes.

At least the drugs you mentioned are FDA tested, I don't think pot has been proven safe for children.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Toastedturningtidelegs on October 14, 2009, 08:13:17 AM
At least the drugs you mentioned are FDA tested, I don't think pot has been proven safe for children.
Just because they're FDA tested doesn't mean they are safe! Especially over a long period of time. While I have mixed feelings about the use of cannabis it really is pretty harmless compared to some of the "FDA tested" drugs on the market now.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 08:20:02 AM
I have more faith in the FDA then I do in pot advocates.

It's never a good idea to give a 9 year old an illegal drug. The parents should be locked up.

What unsafe FDA tested drugs are still on the market?
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Eupher on October 14, 2009, 09:34:40 AM
Slightly off-topic, but FDA is something near and dear to my heart.

I am a quality assurance manager with some 15 years experience in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. I've also been privy to the inner workings of how drug compounds (small molecule) are developed, subjected to toxicology testing (and a dizzying array of other types of testing), scaled up from the lab bench through the pilot plant to full-scale production, validated, documented, and THEN AND ONLY THEN, submitted to FDA for review and, hopefully, approval.

The process doesn't end there, of course. FDA conducts what is called a "pre-approval inspection" whereby the compound in question is reviewed within the environment in which it's manufactured.

This entire process may take anywhere from 8 to 12 years, sometimes more.

And it's done entirely on the nickel of the pharmaceutical company that hopes to market the drug product.

(Generics are a different world, and for ease of discussion, I won't go there now.)

It needs to be pointed out that FDA doesn't test squat, unless it's doing it for cause. In the course of normal drug development through final FDA approval, FDA won't generally have cause to test any drug product.

FDA relies on the documented evidence submitted to FDA attesting to the drug product's safety and efficacy.

There are a TON of pitfalls and problem areas that surface along the way. Not all promising drug products wind up to be so promising, and these are either discarded outright or another use is found for the compound. (That was the case when Viagra was developed - it was originally intended as a drug to help men who have chest pain.)

In any event, FDA is a GOVERNMENT AGENCY of the department of Health and Human Services. It is staffed with professional bureaucrats, scientists, and workers at all levels who endeavour to try and ensure that food, drugs, and cosmetics (not to mention medical devices and biologics) actually do what their developers say they can do. Like any government agency, it is going to have excellent people, as well as hacks and shitbirds.

FDA is very much a political animal. Its leadership is subjected to the same kind of politics that any other organization is subjected to.

Idealism aside, it is very useful to keep in mind that FDA is not perfect. And it never will be. But it's the best we have and it's a damn sight better than most governmental agencies at what they do.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: djones520 on October 14, 2009, 09:36:50 AM
I'm not pro-recreational use because if potheads could keep heir promise about keeping their habit under wraps then there is no need to legalize because we would never know what they are doing so as to have to arrest them.

However, I've had medically prescribed morphine more than once and it was an absolutely horrifying exerience and would never repeat. I've even refused meds for pancreatitis during my 3rd bout.

That said: I can see my way clear to medical pot because Heaven knows it can't be worse then morphine.

If medical marijuana was as strictly regulated as Morphine was, then I'd be more about supporting it.  But in a lot of places it's so damn easy to get, it might as well be OTC.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Eupher on October 14, 2009, 09:38:30 AM
If medical marijuana was as strictly regulated as Morphine was, then I'd be more about supporting it.  But in a lot of places it's so damn easy to get, it might as well be OTC.

Let's keep in mind that not only is morphine regulated by FDA, it's ESPECIALLY regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency. It's a Schedule I (the highest level) narcotic.

Believe me, you don't want to incur the wrath of the DEA. Accounting for Schedule I and Schedule II narcotics and drugs is a very, very serious business.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: jinxmchue on October 14, 2009, 09:43:45 AM
Put some disgusting-flavored stuff on his shirts.  It'd be better and cheaper than making him a pothead.  A mouthful of something incredibly bitter will immediately stop him from chewing on his clothes.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: thundley4 on October 14, 2009, 09:44:26 AM
Let's keep in mind that not only is morphine regulated by FDA, it's ESPECIALLY regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency. It's a Schedule I (the highest level) narcotic.

Believe me, you don't want to incur the wrath of the DEA. Accounting for Schedule I and Schedule II narcotics and drugs is a very, very serious business.

It makes me wonder about how much easier it will be to get such drugs under 0Bama's idea of "give them a pill" instead of surgery.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Eupher on October 14, 2009, 09:47:25 AM
It makes me wonder about how much easier it will be to get such drugs under 0Bama's idea of "give them a pill" instead of surgery.

Good question. Lord Zero's love for government control over everything might just lob a few billion more to DEA and FDA just because it's a good idea to keep government as bloated as 'chelle's hips.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 14, 2009, 09:47:43 AM
I have more faith in the FDA then I do in pot advocates.

It's never a good idea to give a 9 year old an illegal drug. The parents should be locked up.

What unsafe FDA tested drugs are still on the market?

Your assumption that the child was smoking the marijuana leads me to question your knowledge on the subject.

Thousands of FDA regulated (not tested by) drugs are "unsafe" if misused, misprescribed or a myriad of other potential situations.  

Marijuana is being legally prescribed by physicians in states that allow it.  And it has been tested to prove its benefits and other attributes (which by the way, make it much safer than many drugs prescribed to children for ADD/ADHD, autism and various emotional & physical disorders and conditions.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Toastedturningtidelegs on October 14, 2009, 10:02:08 AM
I have more faith in the FDA then I do in pot advocates.

It's never a good idea to give a 9 year old an illegal drug. The parents should be locked up.

What unsafe FDA tested drugs are still on the market?
Google Lamictal!
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 10:33:59 AM
Yes actually! Those drugs are pretty powerful amphetamines. If a "normal" person takes them they have a speedy affect,someone with ADD or ADHD? It actually slows them down!

At least the drugs you mentioned are FDA tested, I don't think pot has been proven safe for children.

Just because they're FDA tested doesn't mean they are safe! Especially over a long period of time. While I have mixed feelings about the use of cannabis it really is pretty harmless compared to some of the "FDA tested" drugs on the market now.


I will try not to soapbox this .....but I have extremely strong feelings about it.

At the time my child was in elementary school in the 80's-90's, TN had the highest percentage of kids on ADHD drugs in the country, and my county had the highest percentage of children on them in the state.

AT THAT TIME....a child who was medically determined to need ADHD drugs was classified by the school system the same way as a child with Down's.....mentally handicapped.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM RECEIVES MONEY FROM BOTH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

The elementary school my children attended....at that time was ranked as one of the top elementary schools in the county. Not only in test scores, but teachers/principal, and parental involvement. It also was one of the highest for income/education levels of the parents.

At that time....if a teacher was "concerned" about a child's behavior....the teacher filled out a questionnaire with 13 questions on it. If the three question were answered positive.....the child was determined to be ADD/ADHD by the teacher and then reviewed by the school system's psychologist. The school psychologist interviewed the child, gave a couple of tests...said "yep, kid is ADHD...let's get the pediatrician to write a presciption". The teacher would then relay to an IEP team made of principal, teachers, school psychologist, and parents if the kid was ok or needed more drugs. If the teacher felt the kid wasn't "chilled out enough"....the dosage was upped.

Do you see a pattern here?

My kid was also evaluated by a private psychologist.

Kid has an IQ in the upper 140's and is dyslexic...and was diagnosed with ADHD. Took ritalin until a freshman in high school. Graduated high school with a 3.5 ...undrugged. Is a math and science wizard, but sucks in English. Gee....do you think that could be because of the dyslexia?

I still don't believe the kid is, or ever was, ADHD....I DO believe the kid was extremely bored....with a father who thought discipline was best accomplished by handing out money or expensive objects for bribes (not good behavior) and if that failed ....just ignore the kid and blame the behavior on someone else.

ADD/ADHD is such an easy diagnosis and so very often wrong. And people wonder why we have so many kids and younger adults with drug problems. It's because they spent their childhood's drugged....it's the only way they know how to cope with even the most basic everyday living.

 :censored: :censored: :censored:



Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 14, 2009, 11:30:22 AM

I will try not to soapbox this .....but I have extremely strong feelings about it.

At the time my child was in elementary school in the 80's-90's, TN had the highest percentage of kids on ADHD drugs in the country, and my county had the highest percentage of children on them in the state.

AT THAT TIME....a child who was medically determined to need ADHD drugs was classified by the school system the same way as a child with Down's.....mentally handicapped.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM RECEIVES MONEY FROM BOTH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

The elementary school my children attended....at that time was ranked as one of the top elementary schools in the county. Not only in test scores, but teachers/principal, and parental involvement. It also was one of the highest for income/education levels of the parents.

At that time....if a teacher was "concerned" about a child's behavior....the teacher filled out a questionnaire with 13 questions on it. If the three question were answered positive.....the child was determined to be ADD/ADHD by the teacher and then reviewed by the school system's psychologist. The school psychologist interviewed the child, gave a couple of tests...said "yep, kid is ADHD...let's get the pediatrician to write a presciption". The teacher would then relay to an IEP team made of principal, teachers, school psychologist, and parents if the kid was ok or needed more drugs. If the teacher felt the kid wasn't "chilled out enough"....the dosage was upped.

Do you see a pattern here?

My kid was also evaluated by a private psychologist.

Kid has an IQ in the upper 140's and is dyslexic...and was diagnosed with ADHD. Took ritalin until a freshman in high school. Graduated high school with a 3.5 ...undrugged. Is a math and science wizard, but sucks in English. Gee....do you think that could be because of the dyslexia?

I still don't believe the kid is, or ever was, ADHD....I DO believe the kid was extremely bored....with a father who thought discipline was best accomplished by handing out money or expensive objects for bribes (not good behavior) and if that failed ....just ignore the kid and blame the behavior on someone else.

ADD/ADHD is such an easy diagnosis and so very often wrong. And people wonder why we have so many kids and younger adults with drug problems. It's because they spent their childhood's drugged....it's the only way they know how to cope with even the most basic everyday living.

 :censored: :censored: :censored:





I too had similar experiences with my older child.  With each "diagnosed" child the school receives more money and "resources" yet the song remains the same.  My kid's quack doctor prescribed about 10 different meds over about 2 years before I finally told him to pound sand, and that he was a quack.  My child went off meds, off the psychiatrist's bench, and into behavioral change therapy and has done much, much better.  

I believe most ADHD/ADD kids will do much better with behavioral therapy, finding a learning/social style that works with them vs. forcing them to conform to the learning/social styles of the current educational system.  If you can homeschool, or put her with a homeschool group, her odds of success are much better.

I also agree 100% with your last statement.  The methadone clinics and rehab centers are brimming full of post-ritalin post-adolescents.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: IassaFTots on October 14, 2009, 12:27:17 PM
Thank you Sherry and Deb for enlightening me.  Not having any kids, I wondered why it seemed that so many were being diagnosed this way.  I just had a little lightbulb moment.  Not to diminish the fact that there are some situations that dictate medication.  The kids I knew just seemed to have alot of energy, that wasn't being exercised out by anything other than playing video games.  Never could figure out what could be wrong with them that they would require meds. 
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 01:06:15 PM
Thank you Sherry and Deb for enlightening me.  Not having any kids, I wondered why it seemed that so many were being diagnosed this way.  I just had a little lightbulb moment.  Not to diminish the fact that there are some situations that dictate medication.  The kids I knew just seemed to have alot of energy, that wasn't being exercised out by anything other than playing video games.  Never could figure out what could be wrong with them that they would require meds. 

It's also a whole lot easier for an overworked teacher with an excess number of children in her class to have them drugged rather than deal with them.

Believe me....I am not blaming the teachers in any way....I am blaming the system!

It benefits the school system and the pharmacuetical companies.

It makes an excuse for a parent to not have to deal with a rambunctious child.

And it may or may not destroy the child. I can guaran-damn-tee you that it puts a label on the child for the rest of the time they are in school. A label that the child cannot lose and gives the teacher a preconceived opinion of the child before they even meet the child.

The best year in school for my child was 5th grade. The teacher did not read any of her kids' files until after the first week of school....she formed her own opinions....and then read their file. Her students loved her and the parents enjoyed helping out in her class.

I was on the PTA board at my kids' elementary school for years, ran the clinic for several years, and was a home room mother for both of them every year.

Oh yeah....and the "quack" that was writing the Rx for my kid's ritalin was my ex's partner. They increased the dosage whenever the school psychiatrist felt it was needed. When it was at a 100mg a day, and I refused to give it to the child....I was taken to court by my ex....for endangering my child.

I have very strong feelings about this subject.... :censored:
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: SSG Snuggle Bunny on October 14, 2009, 01:10:19 PM
Tell me about your experience with morphine. My son had it when his knee was dislocated. As you know, he has autism and in all honesty, the morphine seemed to give him clarity of mind.
Mostly it made me tired but coming off of it was the worse.

It was a combination of lethargy and agitation. All my limbs felt heavy as if I was tied to the bed. I could barely pick myself up BUT I was hyper agitated like I had drunk 20 double espressos.

Then the nightmares would come.

The first one wasn't so bad. I dreamt I came home and found 2 mafia toughs in my house. I chased them out into the street, caught one and proceeded to heel stomp him. I remember being rather surprised at my degree of ruthlessness but that was about it.

The 2nd trip to the hospital and attending withdrawals was the worse. I dreamt I was tied to a chair with my hands behind my back and my ankles ties to the legs. I was in a room total bare and my wife was lying dead in the distant corner. Right in front of me was the killer, straddling my son--who was 2 y/o at the time--hacking pieces out of his face with a butcher's knife.

I woke-up in tears and it took a long time not to tear-up whenever I thought about it.

The 3rd time I went to the hospital the ulcer/pancratitis was so bad I had a spastic colon and bleeding from areas that shouldn't bleed but I refused all opiates. Ditto when I jacked-up my shoulder last year (although toradol is some goo-o-o-ood shit).

If medical marijuana was as strictly regulated as Morphine was, then I'd be more about supporting it.  But in a lot of places it's so damn easy to get, it might as well be OTC.

No arguments here.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 01:25:22 PM
Mostly it made me tired but coming off of it was the worse.

It was a combination of lethargy and agitation. All my limbs felt heavy as if I was tied to the bed. I could barely pick myself up BUT I was hyper agitated like I had drunk 20 double espressos.

Then the nightmares would come.

The first one wasn't so bad. I dreamt I came home and found 2 mafia toughs in my house. I chased them out into the street, caught one and proceeded to heel stomp him. I remember being rather surprised at my degree of ruthlessness but that was about it.

The 2nd trip to the hospital and attending withdrawals was the worse. I dreamt I was tied to a chair with my hands behind my back and my ankles ties to the legs. I was in a room total bare and my wife was lying dead in the distant corner. Right in front of me was the killer, straddling my son--who was 2 y/o at the time--hacking pieces out of his face with a butcher's knife.

I woke-up in tears and it took a long time not to tear-up whenever I thought about it.

The 3rd time I went to the hospital the ulcer/pancratitis was so bad I had a spastic colon and bleeding from areas that shouldn't bleed but I refused all opiates. Ditto when I jacked-up my shoulder last year (although toradol is some goo-o-o-ood shit).

No arguments here.


Snuggs....your nightmares sound like mine if I take Valium. They are soooo real and intensely frightening.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: IassaFTots on October 14, 2009, 01:27:58 PM
Crap, Morphine and Valium?  I get those on Hydrocodone.  No thanks, one time was enough for me.  7 years ago, and I remember those dreams like yesterday.  I don't even remember yesterday that well. 
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 01:32:41 PM
Crap, Morphine and Valium?  I get those on Hydrocodone.  No thanks, one time was enough for me.  7 years ago, and I remember those dreams like yesterday.  I don't even remember yesterday that well. 

I've never had hydrocodone as I'm allergic to codeine. That eliminates a lot of drugs.

If I have surgery, I get demerol mixed with something to keep me from vomiting, then switch as soon as possible to motrin.

I had a GYN give me Valium when I was in my early 20's for wicked awful cramps......as according to him....they were all in my head.  :censored: Back in those days...Valium was handed out as easily has cough drops.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 04:31:08 PM
Your assumption that the child was smoking the marijuana leads me to question your knowledge on the subject.

Thousands of FDA regulated (not tested by) drugs are "unsafe" if misused, misprescribed or a myriad of other potential situations.  

Marijuana is being legally prescribed by physicians in states that allow it.  And it has been tested to prove its benefits and other attributes (which by the way, make it much safer than many drugs prescribed to children for ADD/ADHD, autism and various emotional & physical disorders and conditions.

So you advocate giving 9 year old children marijuana?

Alot of things in this world are unsafe if they are misused, but I have yet to see any proof that pot is safe for children.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: thundley4 on October 14, 2009, 04:34:24 PM
So you advocate giving 9 year old children marijuana?

Alot of things in this world are unsafe if they are misused, but I have yet to see any proof that pot is safe for children.

Is there really enough evidence that the drugs given children are safe in the long term? How many medicines from years ago have been found to be harmful to people or even to cause problems for offspring?
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on October 14, 2009, 04:37:10 PM
I don't have any problems with this at all.  If something works then it works.

I'm with you.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 04:39:58 PM



At the time my child was in elementary school in the 80's-90's, TN had the highest percentage of kids on ADHD drugs in the country, and my county had the highest percentage of children on them in the state.




Gov't run public schools do alot of crazy things & teachers are always suggesting to parents that the kids need medication. I'm not sure where the teachers rec'd their license to practice medicine. There are also alot of lazy parents out there that use the drugs to replace their own interaction with the children, it sucks for the kids.

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 14, 2009, 04:49:03 PM
Gov't run public schools do alot of crazy things & teachers are always suggesting to parents that the kids need medication. I'm not sure where the teachers rec'd their license to practice medicine. There are also alot of lazy parents out there that use the drugs to replace their own interaction with the children, it sucks for the kids.



It used to be ....the school psychologist says your kid is ADD/ADHD and that was it. We PAID a private psychologist who told us the same thing. Managed to make a pretty good annuity out of it too....my kid was in his office once a week for several years.

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 14, 2009, 09:02:46 PM
Is there really enough evidence that the drugs given children are safe in the long term? How many medicines from years ago have been found to be harmful to people or even to cause problems for offspring?

From what we already know about pot, I don't think it's a good idea to give to children. It's more then just a plant. Some studies show that it can delay puberty in children & other defects. Of course, advocates of marijuana say that delaying puberty could help "gender confused" children!  :thatsright:

I'm sure 90% of DU would disagree with me.



Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: rich_t on October 14, 2009, 09:10:37 PM
Legalize pot and tax it like tobacco products.

It is less harmful than tobacco or alcohol, which are both legal.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: rich_t on October 14, 2009, 09:13:55 PM
I have more faith in the FDA then I do in pot advocates.

It's never a good idea to give a 9 year old an illegal drug. The parents should be locked up.

What unsafe FDA tested drugs are still on the market?

I don't fully trust any federal agency including the FDA.

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 14, 2009, 11:46:30 PM
Yeah, banning marijuana from being used for legitimate medical purposes is asinine. Marijuana has also showed promise in treating Alzheimer's, in far greater effectiveness than other medicines we have right now.

All because of some fear of... what, exactly? That medical use would lead to recreational use and then we'd have stoners everywhere wreaking havoc on our convenience stores' supply of doritos?

There is like 600 chemicals in there, one might be good for you, the others might as well be rocket fuel.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 15, 2009, 08:24:12 AM
So you advocate giving 9 year old children marijuana?

Alot of things in this world are unsafe if they are misused, but I have yet to see any proof that pot is safe for children.

I don't advocate medicating children at all.  However, this is not my child who is being treated (in the article).  This child's parent has made the decision as is her right to do.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 15, 2009, 03:21:19 PM
Even if it's against the law?

No.  But it is legal in some states.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 15, 2009, 03:22:22 PM
No.  But it is legal in some states.

But the overriding FEDERAL law makes it illegal in all 50 states.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 15, 2009, 03:29:26 PM
From page 2 of the article:

Quote
There’s a twist to the happy marijuana story, though. While the cannabis has eased J.’s most overwhelming problem, his autism has become more distinct. As the school data show, his aggressive behavior is far less frequent, but his outbursts—vocalizations that include screams, barking, yips of happiness—remain

Poor kid, but his parents are happy that he eats tofu soup.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 15, 2009, 03:30:25 PM
But the overriding FEDERAL law makes it illegal in all 50 states.

Yup.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 15, 2009, 11:37:59 PM
Your assumption that the child was smoking the marijuana leads me to question your knowledge on the subject.



From Part I of the article:

Quote
For most adults, the vaporizer is the delivery method of choice, as it allows the patient to feel the effects immediately and adjust the dose precisely. J gamely put his mouth on the valve and let us squeeze a little smoke into him. It shot right back out his nose. He looked like Puff the Magic Dragon.

Quote
The grower visited us again to give J another try at the bong, with little success.

http://www.doublex.com/section/health-science/why-i-give-my-9-year-old-pot?page=0,1

 :lol:


Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 16, 2009, 08:15:16 AM
But the overriding FEDERAL law makes it illegal in all 50 states.

...and as a bonus, it also ignores the 9th & 10th Amendments! 
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 16, 2009, 08:16:31 AM
From Part I of the article:

http://www.doublex.com/section/health-science/why-i-give-my-9-year-old-pot?page=0,1

 :lol:




My bad.  I would have hoped they didn't have the child smoke it.  It's completely unnecessary and contradictory to their efforts to improve the child's health.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 16, 2009, 08:27:53 AM
...and as a bonus, it also ignores the 9th & 10th Amendments! 

Liberals have never obeyed the 10th amendment. They don't like any of the Bill of Rights.

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 16, 2009, 08:42:22 AM
My bad.  I would have hoped they didn't have the child smoke it.  It's completely unnecessary and contradictory to their efforts to improve the child's health.

Upon reading the entire article through (which I admit I should have done to begin with), it's clear the child only inhaled smoke once.  They use tea as his delivery method.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chump on October 16, 2009, 09:13:04 AM
I have to go with the "if it works it works" view on this.

My two cents.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Eupher on October 16, 2009, 09:26:47 AM
Liberals have never obeyed the 10th amendment. They don't like any of the Bill of Rights.



The 10th amendment has been routinely ignored since the days of John Marshall, Chief Justice of SCOTUS. Politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have completely caved in to the idea that the federal government must be the be-all, end-all.

The individual states have been relegated to the back pages of history, for all intents and purposes.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Toastedturningtidelegs on October 16, 2009, 09:29:36 AM
Upon reading the entire article through (which I admit I should have done to begin with), it's clear the child only inhaled smoke once.  They use tea as his delivery method.
Ugh! That has to taste like crap!
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 16, 2009, 09:30:27 AM
The 10th amendment has been routinely ignored since the days of John Marshall, Chief Justice of SCOTUS. Politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have completely caved in to the idea that the federal government must be the be-all, end-all.

The individual states have been relegated to the back pages of history, for all intents and purposes.

Hear, hear!
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: docstew on October 16, 2009, 09:59:41 AM
...and as a bonus, it also ignores the 9th & 10th Amendments! 

unless they can prove the pot was grown 100% locally, they are dealing in interstate commerce and subject to federal law.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 16, 2009, 10:06:27 AM
unless they can prove the pot was grown 100% locally, they are dealing in interstate commerce and subject to federal law.

lol.

and this 'tea' or bong water, or whatever... was the water local? was the bong made locally?
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chump on October 16, 2009, 10:18:10 AM
Wait, now we support a broad scope of power interpretation for the Commerce Clause?
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: docstew on October 16, 2009, 10:35:48 AM
Wait, now we support a broad scope of power interpretation for the Commerce Clause?

No, it's no broader than the current interpretation.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chump on October 16, 2009, 10:44:31 AM
No, it's no broader than the current interpretation.

I was referring to FGL's comment about the water, and I don't believe the current interpretation is too broad.  If economic activity has a substantial effect on interstate commerce, Congress has the power to regulate it.  Fine.  With that said, I do believe that interpretation is applied too broadly, if that makes any sense.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 16, 2009, 11:37:44 AM
I was referring to FGL's comment about the water, and I don't believe the current interpretation is too broad.  If economic activity has a substantial effect on interstate commerce, Congress has the power to regulate it.  Fine.  With that said, I do believe that interpretation is applied too broadly, if that makes any sense.

Maybe you missed the news. The GOP and Democrats have both voted for a new law that will give the fedgov control of all water in America. That little pond in your backyard will now be owned by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chump on October 16, 2009, 11:43:18 AM
Maybe you missed the news. The GOP and Democrats have both voted for a new law that will give the fedgov control of all water in America. That little pond in your backyard will now be owned by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Gotta have a link.  I have a fair amount of experience with the Corps of Engineers' restrictions on navigable waters, and I haven't heard of any changes regarding the laws that give the Corps those powers.

At any rate, the initial implication from your post was that the water was controlled via the Commerce Clause.  I obviously misunderstood.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: SSG Snuggle Bunny on October 16, 2009, 11:48:20 AM
The 10th amendment has been routinely ignored since the days of John Marshall, Chief Justice of SCOTUS. Politicians on both sides of the political spectrum have completely caved in to the idea that the federal government must be the be-all, end-all.

The individual states have been relegated to the back pages of history, for all intents and purposes.
And, unfortunately, the electorate has bought into the myth.

Witness: how much energy is put into presidential campaigns as if the president is the beginning of all things policy wise. We need only consult the preisdent for matters of war and foreign policy. General and chief ambassador.

If we--as conservatives--focused more on congressional races ala Newt's Contract with America, we would be putting the focus back on legislature...particularly as it impacts each state. As long as we keep fighting over the WH we support the myth. Focus on the states and the temperment we want for a POTUS will naturally follow suit.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris_ on October 16, 2009, 11:49:21 AM
And, unfortunately, the electorate has bought into the myth.

Witness: how much energy is put into presidential campaigns as if the president is the beginning of all things policy wise. We need only consult the preisdent for matters of war and foreign policy. General and chief ambassador.

If we--as conservatives--focused more on congressional races ala Newt's Contract with America, we would be putting the focus back on legislature...particularly as it impacts each state. As long as we keep fighting over the WH we support the myth. Focus on the states and the temperment we want for a POTUS will naturally follow suit.
Ever thought of running for office?   :cheersmate:
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 16, 2009, 11:59:56 AM


http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/10/dirty-waters-cleaning-up-the-clean-water-act.html?cid=6a00d8341c2c3f53ef0120a63d809b970c

They basically removed the word "navigable" from their power over navigable water in the Clean Water Act.... now they'll have power over any they want.

The bill is S. 787
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chump on October 16, 2009, 12:06:16 PM
http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/10/dirty-waters-cleaning-up-the-clean-water-act.html?cid=6a00d8341c2c3f53ef0120a63d809b970c

They basically removed the word "navigable" from their power over navigable water in the Clean Water Act.... now they'll have power over any they want.

The bill is S. 787


Sigh... :banghead:

I forsee "unintended consequences."
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 16, 2009, 04:51:47 PM
Upon reading the entire article through (which I admit I should have done to begin with), it's clear the child only inhaled smoke once.  They use tea as his delivery method.

I read that they tried to have him smoke it at least twice, and if it would of worked, the kid would still be smoking!  :mental:

Of course, in the picture it shows the author baking cookies like a good mommy.

About the author: Marie Myung-Ok Lee teaches at Brown University and is the author of the novel Somebody's Daughter, and is a winner of the Richard Margolis award for social justice reporting.





Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: The Village Idiot on October 16, 2009, 05:45:33 PM
I read that they tried to have him smoke it at least twice, and if it would of worked, the kid would still be smoking!  :mental:

Of course, in the picture it shows the author baking cookies like a good mommy.

About the author: Marie Myung-Ok Lee teaches at Brown University and is the author of the novel Somebody's Daughter, and is a winner of the Richard Margolis award for social justice reporting.

We have a name for this person?? Giving pot to their kid? Maybe someone should let the local police know about this. You know DU would do it to you.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: Chris on October 16, 2009, 05:53:57 PM
We have a name for this person?? Giving pot to their kid? Maybe someone should let the local police know about this. You know DU would do it to you.

It's at the article.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: AllosaursRus on October 16, 2009, 10:07:22 PM
I gotta believe there has to be another alternative than givin' your kid something that gets him high. Sorry thats just me. MJ slows down reaction and thought patterns. I don't think that's a good idea for a child still developing grey matter.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 16, 2009, 10:09:50 PM
I gotta believe there has to be another alternative than givin' your kid something that gets him high. Sorry thats just me. MJ slows down reaction and thought patterns. I don't think that's a good idea for a child still developing grey matter.

What do you think ritalin and it's comparable drugs do to a kid?

If the kid really has ADD/ADHD ...it semi-sedates them. If the kid doesn't really have it, but the school or some shrink thinks so...the kid is high....with a high comparative to cocaine.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 20, 2009, 03:08:11 AM
U.S. attorneys told to go after pot traffickers, not patients  (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/19/medical.marijuana/index.html?eref=time_politics)

It appears that in many states, unless those that need the Rx weed grow it, they have to buy it off the street from drug dealers...that does not sound very safe to me!

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 20, 2009, 10:07:37 AM
A close friend used marijuana for several months, due to chemotherapy and it helped with the nausea and lack of appetite.

It had to be purchased from a dealer.

Not a very safe way to acquire it.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 20, 2009, 10:52:17 AM
A close friend used marijuana for several months, due to chemotherapy and it helped with the nausea and lack of appetite.

It had to be purchased from a dealer.

Not a very safe way to acquire it.

I agree.

So it's legal for the patient to buy and use, but it's illegal for the dealer to obtain, posess & sell? It's all so contridictary. What if the medical weed patient is caught in the middle of the drug sting? Or is at a dealer's home when it's raided or some bad stuff goes down there? Sure they eventually might get out of the charges, but how many days will they spend in jail first? How much will the lawyer cost? How much will the bail be? What if it's a major federal raid?

There is a legal Rx drug (synthetic weed) that helps with both nausea and lack of appetite, although going to CVS could be just as dangerous as trying to find a drug dealer in the "hood" to buy weed.  :evillaugh:

Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 20, 2009, 10:57:52 AM
By reading this thread, I can tell who the stoners are here. (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Smoking/smoking-030.gif)(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Smoking/smoking-marijuana-031.gif)




 :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:










Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: debk on October 20, 2009, 10:59:43 AM
I agree.

So it's legal for the patient to buy and use, but it's illegal for the dealer to obtain, posess & sell? It's all so contridictary. What if the medical weed patient is caught in the middle of the drug sting? Or is at a dealer's home when it's raided or some bad stuff goes down there? Sure they eventually might get out of the charges, but how many days will they spend in jail first? How much will the lawyer cost? How much will the bail be? What if it's a major federal raid?

There is a legal Rx drug (synthetic weed) that helps with both nausea and lack of appetite, although going to CVS could be just as dangerous as trying to find a drug dealer in the "hood" to buy weed.  :evillaugh:



I always wondered if my friend wasn't concerned about driving home with it in the car and getting stopped for a brake light being out, or something comparable....and ending up in jail for possession.

I think it should be legalized and tax the hell out of it....just like liquor and cigarettes. Both have a 17% sin tax added on here.... ::)



FYI....I have never even taken one puff of the stuff.

Had a severe reaction the two times I tried cigarettes....I was always afraid if I tried marijuana ....my throat would close and not be able to breathe and everyone else would be too stoned to realize I was in trouble.
Title: Re: Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot
Post by: RobJohnson on October 20, 2009, 11:08:13 PM
I always wondered if my friend wasn't concerned about driving home with it in the car and getting stopped for a brake light being out, or something comparable....and ending up in jail for possession.

I think it should be legalized and tax the hell out of it....just like liquor and cigarettes. Both have a 17% sin tax added on here.... ::)



FYI....I have never even taken one puff of the stuff.

Had a severe reaction the two times I tried cigarettes....I was always afraid if I tried marijuana ....my throat would close and not be able to breathe and everyone else would be too stoned to realize I was in trouble.

I don't want to see any thing taxed, including the stuff that already is taxed.  :p


Quote
everyone else would be too stoned to realize I was in trouble.

That made me laugh.  :-)