Reader comments
Marijuana use is 'depressing'

Anthony | 1:35 a.m. May 10, 2008

Misleading title.. heavy misinformation. Marijuana can NOT cause depression IF it's used AFTER you're already depressed. That's like saying you killed someone who's already been dead. Depression by itself causes risk taking behavior leading to drug ABUSE. furthermore, young people are not interested in self-medicating in the sense that it will alleviate their problems. they seek drugs because they stop caring altogether. and, whatever is easily available is the first thing a young person will try, which usually will be marijuana. HOWEVER, marijuana use among young people has gone DOWN while prescription drug ABUSE has gone up! this shows that young people aren't specifically seeking marijuana. in fact it shows, they're abusing anything they can get their hands on (ever heard of meth). lastly, i wouldn't want any young person to use any drug at all. however, if necessary, i would advise everyone, young and old, to try marijuana before any man-made chemical, regardless of gov't "approval", whose negative side effects easily outweigh the intended positive purpose.

Anonymous | 1:46 a.m. May 10, 2008

First, the disclaimer: I am not a marijuana user.

That said, I'm highly skeptical of the editorial's claim that marijuana use can lead to schizophrenia. It's highly probable that the disorder may drive them to do drugs, and not vice versa. If the editorial makes such a clear statement about marijuana use leading to such a serious and debilitating disorder, it should cite a study to back it up.

Merlin Ross | 7:40 a.m. May 10, 2008

My new book "Smile Game", soon to released, is a fun and timely breakthrough remedy for anger, fears, and sadness. Teens are precious and this book helps them exercise their positive emotions so negative ones don't grow into monsters and ruin their lives.Enter comment

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:04 a.m. May 10, 2008

Give up weed.
Take up OxyContin (look at the power it gives right-wing radio hosts.)

tjtibbs | 9:23 a.m. May 10, 2008

You ask the question, "Why are so many teens depressed?" The reality is if they live in Utah, that's probably the answer.

A leading government-supported study states that the advanced stages of many illnesses and their treatments are often accompanied by intractable nausea, vomiting, or pain.

We must keep in mind that thousands of patients with cancer, AIDS, and other diseases report they have obtained striking relief from these devastating symptoms by smoking marijuana. The alleviation of distress can be so striking that some patients and their families have been willing to risk a jail term to obtain or grow the marijuana.

The plant has shown effective medicinal results. Should we deny that usage?

I say concentrate on the really addictive and very popular and deadly drugs such as meth.

LanceA | 10:45 a.m. May 10, 2008

Au contraire.

"Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes." (ripped from Wiki)

How is this any different than the rise in prescription medication, painkillers, mood stabilizers and "life enhancers" of today? It's not. Legalize marijuana, and society will change for the better. Just think what state society would be living in had prohibition not been repealed.

Do you see many drug lords ruling over oak casks of rye whiskey, distilled gin or potato vodka? There's a reason.

Just legalize the "herb." And start the youth campaigns against the evils your editorial is shouting much like the campaigns against underage drinking. It just might work.

Fear Mongering | 11:08 a.m. May 10, 2008

The first paragraph says it all.
If you already have mental or emotional issue's unprescribed drugs only make things worse. If meth can only give schizophrenia "like" syptoms how can THc make you schizo? It does'nt, sorry people with mental issues are drawn to self medicate. bottom line depressed kids need therapy find out why they are deppressed.
Raul

uncannygunman | 11:15 a.m. May 10, 2008

Correlation does not equal causation, and the ONDCP is not exactly an unbiased scientific outfit.

Seems to me the study is an argument against self-medication in general, and conversely an argument for increased access to mental health care for teens, no?

And one last thing, legalize it!

hatfield | 11:59 a.m. May 10, 2008

marijuana is a gateway drug....a gateway to a good time.

joke | 12:33 p.m. May 10, 2008

So lets put the world on anti-depressants. What a laugh. Was this article written by a pharmaceutical company? To talk about Marijuana when the drugs they give teens today for depression CAUSES suicide. They should investigate how many kids are being drugs. Anybody today could be diagnosed with a mental illness or ADD, ADH, ADHD, did I leave anything out?

Figures | 1:42 p.m. May 10, 2008

I stopped reading this article when I saw it was connected to the White House. Nothing can ruin credibility more than being connected to a White House even Utah's own, Karl Rove, left.

Anonymous | 7:03 p.m. May 10, 2008

Everything in moderation... including moderation.

Larry Bergan | 5:24 p.m. May 11, 2008

Notice that none of the comments agree with the editorial. People who aren't gaining monetarily from the pot war want it to stop. That's why there hasn't been a public forum on the issue in 20 years. It's a losing debate. Whoever wrote this in coordination with the office of the drug czar should be ashamed.

The current White House is famous for hiring bad scientists, and this new information is only being disseminated because they are losing the battle concerning marijuana criminalization. One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. Perpetuating reefer madness makes the editorial writers the ones in need of clinical help.

Marijuana users don't turn themselves in for treatment. That's a lie. They are given a choice between that and prison. What would you choose? Even then, it's hard to keep your job because you have to take time off work for treatment and court. It's very expensive and the experience is extremely degrading and humiliating.

I smoked pot for 35 years because I enjoyed it, not because I was depressed. The only thing that damages my brain is to see this travesty continue.

Chris Plummer | 12:34 p.m. May 12, 2008

yes... depressed people that self medicate rather than seeking professional help might be prone to mental illness.... I'm sure we could say the same of any mentally ill person self medicating with the wrong drugs.
Marijuana just isn't the demon the DEA and other agencies want you to think it is.
Legalize it.

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