To ask how common is cannabis smoking?

Smoked my first joint at 16. Still doing it at 70. It relaxes me. Very pure organic weed.

Have always worked, supported myself, brought up my son as a solo mum.

Never taken an aspirin in my life or barely a paracetamol. I know I'm lucky.

I only knew one person who was a regular weed smoker who actually worked, and he was a chef. Apparently a profession known for addiction issues anyway.

The rest either used it as a coping mechanism, and denied it was one and that they were addicted, or it was a "lifestyle" and they were boring as fuck. I met far too many people in psychiatric wards who were there due to weed.

Moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks a night) actually has a host of benefits. Less chance of alzheimers, kidney stones, stroke, heart attack, etc.

It's extremely common. It's also seems to be really bad for the heart according to a lot of studies over the past few years - 42% higher chance of a stroke in one I read the other day. I believe it was thought previously that this was more likely to be because until recent years people mainly smoked it, or had done so in the past. However, studies are now showing that even edibles alone can result in arterial narrowing to a similar extent as a smoker.

I used to smoke it a lot and would have a pretty elevated heartbeat just sitting on the sofa.

It's still grown illegally though? Unless I've misunderstood?

My DH and I both smoke weed we have done for the last 8 years we are both in our early 30’s we don’t have any kids so we have the money to spend on it none of our family know we do it. We would like kids one day and we will stop when we are ready for kids.

It's very common and mild compared to alcohol.
I grew up in a household where both were consumed a lot. The parent who was into getting stoned as opposed to pissed, was a lot more productive. Marijuana affects people differently I guess, but some people like my DM and I, are very active, busy types, with good jobs, who consume regularly.

I get that some people don't respond well to it, it makes them paranoid or insular. Again it's like alcohol, some people get really arsey when pissed, or can't stop, others are fine.

Pretty much everyone i know, from the cleaner at work (vapes it 😂) to i suspect my CEO based on comments made at the Christmas party smoke it or do edibles.

I used to love a joint, was great for stress but I started throwing whiteys for some bizarre reason, not fun at all, so stopped a couple of years ago. I get edibles now, dont do them a lot, maybe once every few months or do. A friend does his own syrup too thats nice in a hot chocolate or coffee 😬

I never have, even when at uni. I know 2 people who did but now dont...However by the smells around a rather exclusive housing estate as well as 2 up 2 down terraces near us, its pretty rife!

I eat it occasionally and love the buzz

I think it's pretty common, I usually smell it somewhere at least once a day. I don't have any close friends who smoke it but I do know a few people who do and a couple of family members on both my side and DHs side. Some of them function normally, some have mental health problems and don't function well.

It is very very rare and usually only happens to people who already struggle with schizophrenia. For the rest of society, the worst thing you're going to do while high is eat too much pizza. Alcohol on the other hand ...

On mh wards and teams who are working with them in mh community teams

I am guessing you do not work in a mh health team that is working with young people

Yes. Unsure of the relevance but I wouldn't drive under the influence, just like anyone having a glass of wine.

Our mutual friend grows it in his outhouse. So try again 😘

Where are these people? I have 2 teenagers, ive been a teenager and I work with lots of younger people and I don't know anyone of any age who has this elusive psychosis that gets trotted out every time we talk about cannabis.

Yes Ive smoked, eaten and vaped it for years. Currently use medically issued THC vape cartridges. I use it every evening but never during the day.

I have a professional job that I manage to do perfectly well. Being a daily user has no impact on that at all.

I don’t drink much and work out several times a week so pretty healthy.

most of my social circle use it to varying degrees. Some are occasional and others far more frequent. Some are also into recreational cocaine but that’s not my thing.

FTR I think it should be legal, but just wanted to add that the organisation that prescribe my meds through the NHS RTC pathway won't prescribe if you use weed. Studies have shown that it makes some of the meds work more potently thus making them harder to dose - likely the combined dopamine effect.

The private clinics are providing unlicensed meds with the caveat that you must have tried at least two of the conventional treatments first. For ADHD it's mainly used to treat the hectic element/help you calm down. I was reading an article by a renowned ADHD specialist and he referred to studies that showed weed actually makes the vast majority of ADHD symptoms worse - working memory, attention span, impulsivity, etc.

He said it was more that it helped calm them down so they don't worry about the other effects as much and hence still report an 'improvement' despite their ADHD being worse in most measurable ways. In most cases I've seen, the patient just wants the weed. Almost every single advert on FB is full of people saying "what do I need to do to get this?" and people explaining what to say etc. It's mostly driven by people wanting weed rather than doctors suggesting it as a treatment IME, except for cases where people are already on a cocktail of strong addictive opioids etc.

@CharlotteLightandDark and @NoKidsSendDogs thanks, I never really knew what it did except relax you. Actually sounds like something I wouldn't mind trying but with my addictive personality and tendency to self-medicate AND family history of MH issues probably best not to! Glad you're both finding it helps though.

Would you buy it if it was legal, like in most of North America? The legal stuff doesn’t really have a smell but I don’t enjoy smoking it as much as I love taking it orally. What’s wrong with using gummies?

We had a really strong smell of it on the duel carriage way the other day. I guess we drove past someone smoking it and didn't realise but it smelt as strongly as when you walk past someone smoking in the street. Never even had that with cigarettes before, it was bizarre.

Smoked it when young, haven't touched it in at least 15/20 years, most people I knew my age smoked it then, no one really did any other drugs that I knew of. I wouldn't smoke it now as gave me really bad anxiety/paranoia when high. I don't even drink alcohol now and after reading the latest work Christmas do thread, am very relieved I am sober!

I can't actually access more than the abstract from the linked article but it suggests impairment for up to 24hrs. As this piece states, It's the impairment that's important, not whether it's still in your system. System clearance is much quicker.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/impairment-safety-risk.html

Thank you, that's helpful to know. Had no idea.