To ask how common is cannabis smoking?

My brother tried it once in Amsterdam then shortly after was diagnosed with schizophrenia-could be complete coincidence ofc but I've never risked using the stuff. What is the appeal, what effect does it have?

If there was a way to purchase legally for recreational use I would. It slows down my ADHD brain and helps me sleep. But as I know the impact of modern slavery and there's no way to currently confirm quality, none for me any more.

Once I retire and no longer need a DBS, I'll grow my own for personal consumption. Quite looking forward to that actually.

Our neighbours smoke it every evening - you can smell it in our garden and it's revolting.

Unsurprisingly, theirs is the only house on the street with foot high grass, curtains closed all day and rubbish stacked up in the front garden. It's almost always smoked by wasters, no matter how they try to convince you otherwise.

I used to work with a man who admitted to smoking it each night when his very young child was in bed at night. He went way down in my estimation after admitting that.

I wouldn't say its common but there are certainly different social groups using it.

A quiet spliff at home then whatever. Its not for me as I find people become seriously dull after having smoked it.

But walking round in public with a spliff is your twat end of society. That's just not acceptable at all.

I haven't been able to smoke weed of any sort for ages because health. But I was very enthusiastic about it back in the day ! However I do remember being able to get AMAZING weed / hash when I was a young 'un. Went to Morocco twice and stayed in the Rif on a farm - which was an education. Found out how Double Zero was made (the pollen rubbed straight off the flowers) Gradually as the 'skunk' hybrid took over I could not enjoy it any more, My friends used to be comatose. Not my style ! And very damaging for MH etc. It is legal where I live, in small amounts / personal.
But I think about those early days when we had that choice and how small the world has become, YES I am sure there is a lot of illegal trafficking etc. It doesn't stop millions of people taking inferior cocaine which means they literally have blood on their hands.
I loved being sweetly stoned and lolling around in my garden listening to a robin or whatevs....no lie, it's nature's medicine. To be respected.
Edibles are bloomin' brilliant but I have to be very careful with dose ! 🤭

Professionally I know a very high number of people who essentially medicate trauma with it. It’s not the best treatment at all. They are legal and much more effective ones - both medication and talking therapies Go to your GP if you’re reading this and know that’s you.

Any time I mention w-e-e-d on this site, my “reply is hidden til the MNHQ team can have a look at it”

What are they looking at? Weed is legal where I live, can I not talk about that?

Legal where I live too. My social circle is full of it. And as a middle-aged woman, sleep gummies have been a life saver. Businesses that sell cannabis products are ethical, usually. They know they’re largely selling to the middle classes and appeal to them. I’ve never felt so seen as a consumer. You’re ID’d at least twice before being able to purchase and if you’re under 21, forget it. If kids are getting access to weed from the legal stores then they’re getting it from adults. Much, much stricter than liquor stores. They don’t sell the mad shit. Font understand why it’s not legal in the UK, it’s a pain in the arse not to have access to it when I’m over.

We do occasionally, maybe once a month with friends if the kids aren’t in the house. I know quite a few people who smoke it regularly

No not purely. Usually linked with neglect.

I can promise you no kids are taken into care purely because their parents smoke weed. It doesn’t meet threshold for social services intervention on its own. As part of a wider issue of neglect/abuse sure but not just for that.

As with all data you need to look at further data

the numbers being admitted to mh wards due to cannabis use, the impact on people’s mh that are not psychotic but certainly struggle to function, the increase particularly with serious mh issues with younger people

spend a little time working in mh services you will see the terrible impact of such wide use cannabis is now having. The issue is often down to the very Hugh thc levels in what people (particularly younger people) are using

I know, it’s crazy. I won’t even have half a pint if I’m driving; I don’t know how they can feel safe to drive.

So much casual ignoring of the dealing/ criminal activity/ trafficking/ modern slavery aspects.

I know of a few people , but there’s prob more. One of these has smoked since their twenties no issues, then had a traumatic event late thirties and now his life revolves around smoking weed, no understatement. Destroying his marriage and relationship with his teenage kids. I was pretty indifferent to it before I witnessed all this.

I live in California so it is legal. No one I no ok now actually smokes weed but pretty much takes gummies regularly or occasionally, there are lots that have only a trace of THC and really help with sleep so they are very popular with middle aged women! THC drinks are also popular since more and more people don’t want to drink alcohol because of the bad sleep and headaches.

Apparently less than 0.5% of weed users get psychosis according to studies. By contrast the WHO says 7% of adults worldwide meet the criteria for alcohol abuse disorder.

Not taking sides but that's the data apparently.

Do you drive?

Smell it and see it when we’re out in the next town, but not so much here as average age is much higher than usual user group. Went to a city in the North last month and a man was walking through the Christmas market with his family, smoking weed. Felt quite sad for the children. They stopped and spoke to another family and it just seemed so normal. 😞

Used to know loads of people that smoked it. All but a couple grew out of it in their late 30s, the two remaining ones also drink heavily - and it shows.

It used to be very common around here, so you'd smell it coming from almost every third car or van when walking down the road, but it seems to have reduced in prevalence over the last year.

Does everyone using grow their own or are you just unbothered about the criminal production aspect of it and supporting organised crime. Dealers rarely 'just' sell cannabis, right?

I smoke it, only at nights, for chronic pain when it's particularly bad. I didn't smoke it as a teen because it made me feel sick. I found out later that it was down to my heavy drinking and, as I've been sober for many years, it no longer makes me sick.

I'd say about half the people I know smoke weed occasionally, and these are stable middle aged people, though I probably know a lot of creative, arty types.

Based on the stench around where I live (not cheap!) very common.

I think it's really surprising how many people seem to think it is ok to smoke and drive. Some who would not drink drive even.

I didn’t use it in pregnancy and I spend about £8 a week, I don’t have take outs but its less than a pizza would cost.
It helps my mental health as I find it hard to tune out everything in life - worrying about my parents and children, drama at work bla bla bla.