Cannabis Addiction Treatment at All-Time Highs, Potent "Skunk" Blamed
 

According to figures from the National Treatment Agency, people receiving help for cannabis abuse rose to 22,500 in 2006-2007, up from 13,400 during 2004-2005. The younger demographic almost doubled for the same period, rising to 9,500 from 5,000.

Super-strength varieties of home-grown skunk are replacing the North African hash found in Britain, which can approach strengths 25 times that of plants grown just a decade prior. Mental illness has almost doubled among cannabis users, nearing 1,000.

The National Crime Survey figures shows cannabis use is dropping. Despite research that suggests higher risks for mental illnesses among cannabis users, researchers are now trying to determine if they were already ill prior to their cannabis usage.

although this is uk news i am sure the numbers follow suit in the usa as well.
source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk

QUIT SMOKING DOPE -- SAFE YOURSELF BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

Interesting, wonder how they came up with the 1000 figure:stoned

Hey man ! Don't be silly! I know that everyday smoking can cause troubles in the mind...but if it's just a part of the weekend relax what's the problem with it? :pimp

Yeah, how bout the other 20000 smokers who just 'fear and loath' at home :1orglaugh

What a bunch of horse shit. Cannabis use does not induce mental illness, it may however aggravate certain conditions, as increased anxiety is a common side-effect of the drug. Also, many studies have indicated that marijuana is actually a natural anti-depressant.

can be helpful for those with ADD to concentrate without having to take Ritalin (legal speed). the head's up is very much appreciated.

Marijuana's a miracle drug, pure and simple.

like aspirin?

The drug warriors love to talk about "the new potency."

The problem with this argument is that while new strains of cannabis are developed all the time, many with very high potency the truth is that the higher the potency the LESS that must be smoked to achieve the same results, and thus the less smoke going into the lungs.

The main problem with cannabis smoking is the act of smoking and the effect on the lungs not the amount of cannabinoids in the plant.

For example, a huge spliff with shwag grade cannabis gives the same amount of cannabinoids as does a high grade cannabis taken in only one hit.

High potency cannabis is good if you are looking to reduce harm to the lungs in the form of smoking. :thumbsup

And you can make rope out of it.

my friend went schizophrenic from smoking pot all his life
he will never get better :o/

I've been smoking weed *fairly* regulary for over 15 years and I can't say I've suffered any mental health side effects whatsoever.

The thing to remember about weed is that like alchohol - either use it wisely or it will end up using you - too many people use weed and alchohol, ( or any drug for that matter ), as a "crutch" and depend on it to solve all the problems in their life rather than put a bit of effort and dicipline into solving them themselves.

Long live the herb :thumbsup

I am going to go safe myself right now brother fuzzy. Wait, how the fuxors do I safe myself?

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

no he didnt.

he was already schizophrenic. thats not something you can develope because of smoking pot.

To smoke or not to smoke?