Pot-smoking teens function better

[st7860]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d8b859d8-ffe4-44dd-b4af-b9dbfdc24389&k=60787

A study of more than 5,000 youngsters in Switzerland has found those who smoked marijuana do as well or better in some areas as those who don't, researchers said Monday.

But the same was not true for those who used both tobacco and marijuana, who tended to be heavier users of the drug, said the report from J.C. Suris and colleagues at the University of Lausanne.

The study did not confirm the hypothesis that those who abstained from marijuana and tobacco functioned better overall, the authors said.

In fact, those who used only marijuana were "more socially driven ... significantly more likely to practise sports and they have a better relationship with their peers" than abstainers, it said.

"Moreover, even though they are more likely to skip class, they have the same level of good grades; and although they have a worse relationship with their parents, they are not more likely to be depressed" than abstainers, it added.

The study, published in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, was based on a 2002 survey of 5,263 Swiss students age 16 to 20, of whom 455 smoked marijuana only, 1,703 used both marijuana and tobacco, and 3,105 abstained from both.

The report said while marijuana use has declined among U.S. adolescents, it has increased in recent years among the same age group in Switzerland and other European countries.

The study said while one theory holds that using legal drugs like nicotine and alcohol opens the door to marijuana and other illegal drug use, recent research also has found marijuana may come first and it "may reinforce cigarette smoking or lead to nicotine addiction."

In the study, about half of the tobacco and marijuana group had used the latter drug 10 times or more in the previous month vs. 56 per cent in the marijuana-only group who had used the drug only once or twice in the same time period.

Those who use only marijuana were less likely to have started using that drug before 15 compared with tobacco users, and the tobacco-marijuana group was more likely to have abused alcohol, the study said

[danfromwaterloo]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d8b859d8-ffe4-44dd-b4af-b9dbfdc24389&k=60787

A study of more than 5,000 youngsters in Switzerland has found those who smoked marijuana do as well or better in some areas as those who don't, researchers said Monday.

But the same was not true for those who used both tobacco and marijuana, who tended to be heavier users of the drug, said the report from J.C. Suris and colleagues at the University of Lausanne.

The study did not confirm the hypothesis that those who abstained from marijuana and tobacco functioned better overall, the authors said.

In fact, those who used only marijuana were "more socially driven ... significantly more likely to practise sports and they have a better relationship with their peers" than abstainers, it said.

"Moreover, even though they are more likely to skip class, they have the same level of good grades; and although they have a worse relationship with their parents, they are not more likely to be depressed" than abstainers, it added.

The study, published in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, was based on a 2002 survey of 5,263 Swiss students age 16 to 20, of whom 455 smoked marijuana only, 1,703 used both marijuana and tobacco, and 3,105 abstained from both.

The report said while marijuana use has declined among U.S. adolescents, it has increased in recent years among the same age group in Switzerland and other European countries.

The study said while one theory holds that using legal drugs like nicotine and alcohol opens the door to marijuana and other illegal drug use, recent research also has found marijuana may come first and it "may reinforce cigarette smoking or lead to nicotine addiction."

In the study, about half of the tobacco and marijuana group had used the latter drug 10 times or more in the previous month vs. 56 per cent in the marijuana-only group who had used the drug only once or twice in the same time period.

Those who use only marijuana were less likely to have started using that drug before 15 compared with tobacco users, and the tobacco-marijuana group was more likely to have abused alcohol, the study said

This is a funny study done by people who probably haven't thought this one through.

People who smoke pot are usually more social than people that don't. In other words, they're "cooler".

Cool kids tend to smoke pot more than geeks. The bolded parts are very common elements of being "cool".

[kuqdew]

ibtl

[kuqdew]

This is a funny study done by people who probably haven't thought this one through.

People who smoke pot are usually more social than people that don't. In other words, they're "cooler".

Cool kids tend to smoke pot more than geeks. The bolded parts are very common elements of being "cool".

druggies DO NO do better at school


trust me, im in high school

[UrbanPoet]

druggies DO NO do better at school


trust me, im in high school

I dunno.....
All the hard core pot smokers i know are doing pretty well in life... all professionals with their own home, car and good jobs.

But the "loser" type pot smokers would probably still be losers even if they werent cannibus users

[Alvito]

there are two types of pot smokers as UP has said.

the hardcore, who smoke any chance they get.
and the ones who do it here and there and are able to exercise self-control

[theurbancanadian]

I dunno.....
All the hard core pot smokers i know are doing pretty well in life... all professionals with their own home, car and good jobs.


+1...Well, most of them:!:

[UrbanPoet]

I think people just make a big deal out of it because its "illegal".
Alcohol is legal, and has the same mind altering effects as marijuana. Have a good cup of whiskey on the rocks, and you'll be light headed.

[Phr3sh]

I love pro-pot studies:D

[syn3rgetic]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d8b859d8-ffe4-44dd-b4af-b9dbfdc24389&k=60787

A study of more than 5,000 youngsters in Switzerland has found those who smoked marijuana do as well or better in some areas as those who don't, researchers said Monday.

But the same was not true for those who used both tobacco and marijuana, who tended to be heavier users of the drug, said the report from J.C. Suris and colleagues at the University of Lausanne.

The study did not confirm the hypothesis that those who abstained from marijuana and tobacco functioned better overall, the authors said.

In fact, those who used only marijuana were "more socially driven ... significantly more likely to practise sports and they have a better relationship with their peers" than abstainers, it said.

"Moreover, even though they are more likely to skip class, they have the same level of good grades; and although they have a worse relationship with their parents, they are not more likely to be depressed" than abstainers, it added.

The study, published in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, was based on a 2002 survey of 5,263 Swiss students age 16 to 20, of whom 455 smoked marijuana only, 1,703 used both marijuana and tobacco, and 3,105 abstained from both.

The report said while marijuana use has declined among U.S. adolescents, it has increased in recent years among the same age group in Switzerland and other European countries.

The study said while one theory holds that using legal drugs like nicotine and alcohol opens the door to marijuana and other illegal drug use, recent research also has found marijuana may come first and it "may reinforce cigarette smoking or lead to nicotine addiction."

In the study, about half of the tobacco and marijuana group had used the latter drug 10 times or more in the previous month vs. 56 per cent in the marijuana-only group who had used the drug only once or twice in the same time period.

Those who use only marijuana were less likely to have started using that drug before 15 compared with tobacco users, and the tobacco-marijuana group was more likely to have abused alcohol, the study said

Finally, someone understands!

[cwb27]

Let's see how functional they are when there's a litre of chocolate milk and a dozen donuts put in front of them. :)

[Brownbear]

I think people just make a big deal out of it because its "illegal".
Alcohol is legal, and has the same mind altering effects as marijuana.

though i agree with you that people make a big deal over it because of its legal state, i must say, as a pot smoker myself, the effects of alcohol are nowhere close to the effects of marijuana. Though both mind altering, there are really no similarities between the two. anyways, off to smoke a joint.

[Nikita]

I love pro-pot studies:D

LOL...I'm with you on that one.

But I have to say, I can't agree with all of these findings. For example in my experience pot does not make one more sociable. In fact, I never liked being out if I was smoking. Didn't like being around people who weren't smoking, and didn't like how anti-social it actually makes me. Thus, when (if) I indulge, it's at home, or at a friend's home, not in public....buzz killer IMO.

The part about having a worse relationship with parents. I've always had a really close and loving relationship with my parents. They no what I do, have no problem with it and in fact prefer that I might smoke pot instead of drinking alcohol (I'm not a drinker at all btw).

Nor was I more likely to skip classes in school. I completed 3 University degrees, and I love sitting in a class sucking up knowledge, I always went to classes and the pot never interfered with that. But then, I've always been pretty disciplined about my pot use e.g. only after 8 or 9 at night, or when I can be reasonably sure my brains won't be required for the rest of the night...lol...just in case.

So, yeah, there's a few results that, anecdotally don't apply to all cases obviously. But this study does tend to reinforce my experience and observations in a number of ways.

[Nikita]

though i agree with you that people make a big deal over it because of its legal state, i must say, as a pot smoker myself, the effects of alcohol are nowhere close to the effects of marijuana. Though both mind altering, there are really no similarities between the two. anyways, off to smoke a joint.

I agree with this 100%. There's a huge difference between a pot buzz and being drunk. Drinking has far more serious consequences, both to users (or abusers) of drink, and to society as a whole.

Anyway, have a toke for me Brownbear, cuz it's not late enough for me yet...lol.

[buddhaboy12]

I remember that time when I ate a whole Club Sized Lays BBQ Chips.... it was great.

[gilboman]

Let's see how functional they are when there's a litre of chocolate milk and a dozen donuts put in front of them. :)

i dont get the munchies;)

[Brownbear]

i dont get the munchies;)

that in itself is a feat.

[Little Dragon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGNYM_cRMsU

i think canada is wayyyy more open about reefer use than a lot of other countries ;)

time for a bowl. all this talk! just like white castle. haha.

[ali123]

I know 3 guys who smoke pot, they all skip classes lol

[Aznkid2000]

so your telling me that if i smoke pot and don't skip

i will do amazing in school even though i am already?

[kuqdew]

so your telling me that if i smoke pot and don't skip

i will do amazing in school even though i am already?

http://www.esse.ou.edu/~cwaller/204_mkaymackey.JPG

[Nikita]

so your telling me that if i smoke pot and don't skip

i will do amazing in school even though i am already?

I hardly think that's the message here. More like, if you smoke pot and don't skip, you may STILL do amazing in school.

[perplexed_one]

just because you smoke pot and skip class does NOT necessarily equate bad grades contrary to popular belief.

maybe they skip class because they dont need to have the prof regurgitate what he/she read the night before, especially if the prof doesn't answer questions or led critical discussion of said topic. so maybe their time is better spent elsewhere.

pot helps you relax and take things easier, it can definitely calm the nervously charged teen to study for a test. pot smokers get the munchies? and a huge proportion of teens dont eat breakfast, DO the math.

of course these are just my opinions and observations, and it has been clinically shown that pot does kill brain cells in the long run. yoga is always an alternative but unfortunately the teens who need its benefits the most (adolescent boys) have a neurotic obsession with upholding a faux masculinity.

[hyperion]

That's funny, because my personal experience with friends is completely opposite. They turn into lazy slobs who don't want to do anything, and their functioning is ...below average.

[JAGpilot]

If you do it as a social thing and when you have time to "chill" you're good. When your taking hits alone or when you have work that needs to be done, all the time, you know your not using it the right way.

[gilboman]

I know 3 guys who smoke pot, they all skip classes lol

i know 4 guys who skip classes, and they all dont smoke pot:o