David Epstein wrote: > On Wed, 18 Jun 2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] went: > >> This must be a new phenomenon and certainly deserves some >> explanation. Back in the 60s marijuana was seldom known to cause >> users to be rushed to the ER.The drug was not supposed to be that >> detrimental. So why is it nowadays that kids end up in the ER after >> smoking a few joints? > > That's actually an interesting question, and I expect the reflexive > answer to be "Oh, marijuana's a lot stronger that it used to be." > Some very potent strains have emerged, but data actually DON'T support > the generalization that typical '60s pot was stronger than typical > '00s pot. The potency of the old stuff has been underestimated due to > bad storage techniques. The "War on Drugs" never changes. One of its many facets is to claim that some drug (pot, then LSD, then speed, then crack, then meth (speed again), then pot again) is MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than previously believed. Various stories (often in the form of "case studies" -- read: anecdotes) are circulated in the mass media about people who became addicted after a single experience, became suicidal, went mad, suffered terrible genetic damage, etc.
When they finally say something true, we will never know because we have been lied to about drugs in the service of various political agendas so often in the past. (Haven't these folks ever heard about the boy who cried "wolf"?) Chris -- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada 416-736-2100 ex. 66164 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ "Part of respecting another person is taking the time to criticise his or her views." - Melissa Lane, in a /Guardian/ obituary for philosopher Peter Lipton ================================= --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
