What is this denial about cannabis ?

[9ofpentangles]

That it is a completely harmless drug? There is so much research on this from reputable sources

What denial are you referring to

Well I guess people who want to defend their use of it will minimise the known harm and risks. What pisses me off about that is that kids then get the message that actually cannabis is ok.

Who says it,s completely harmless? Saying that though I do think that people with certain medical conditions should have access to medications based on cannabis which has been shown to help. (That is not the same as thinking cannabis should be widely available.)

Surely any drug taken incorrectly can have damaging effects?

Alcohol, prescription, etc.

No, I agree OP. I see it a lot especially on Reddit.

There’s nothing wrong with using cannabis as long as it’s used correctly and sensibly, like any other drug like alcohol or tobacco smoke

I think there is more denial about its health benefits than its harmfulness.

It can do a lot of harm, but it's insidious. People don't realise until it's too late.

I think with cannabis it's harmless for some and dangerous for others, it doesn't agree with me I tried it when young and would never ever touch it again.
Yet many others I know closely have smoked it for years since teens and they are fine no mental health issues. I think it all boils down to tolerance in one and no tolerance in another. Some people know it doesn't agree with them and still carry on I don't think it should ever be banned though.

@BeetrootRocks most of us who drink smoke or eat too much fried food are honest about the risks. I often don't see that with cannabis users

its a balancing act the mental health long term risks are profound but for a few issues (extreme untreatable epilepsy which is causing long term health/disabling issues - caused by lack of oxygen from status epilepticus where a major seizure continues for instance) it is worth while. However many claims that it is a worthwhile treatment for some other conditions are unproven & risky & basically anecdotal. There is some evidence of links to schizophrenia

It definitely can and does cause long term mental health and also memory problems. I was sadly on the receiving end of this as a child.

I agree, I have a 19 year DS who is in complete denial about its dangers. He thinks alcohol is more dangerous. Ive talked to him, sent him links to websites, newspaper articles etc, it's like talking to a brick wall.
Im really worried the affect on his still developing brain. we have a family history of mh problems so he maybe more at risk ,and unlike alcohol it is unregulated so you just dont know whats in it or how strong it is.

I meant was it a specific thread or real life friends or what the situation was

I don't think most cannabis smokers are unaware that there can be probs tbh

and unlike alcohol it is unregulated so you just dont know whats in it or how strong it is.

I think this is probably the main problem with it tbh. Weighing it all up alcohol is arguably a much more dangerous drug. That’s not to say cannabis is risk free either.

Both Real life and social media

I agree OP. An ex of mine and my nephew had/are having terrible paranoia and anger issues caused by smoking cannabis. Admittedly, they are not casual users - it's almost like chain-smoking. Both had father -related traumas in their mid-teens, and suffered with depression. They turned to cannabis, and it led to appalling abusive, angry behaviour. My ex is now recovered, but my nephew is making life hell for my sister.
It's a shitty drug.

I think there is more denial about its health benefits than its harmfulness.

^This

It’s a lot stronger now than in used to be back on the 90s!

I think there is more denial about its health benefits than its harmfulness.
Agree

It’s by far the biggest issue we are seeing in mental health with young people

It’s heartbreaking to see

And older regular users I know who are not smoking skunk just love a conspiracy theory ... says it all

I wouldn't deny it to people who find it helps them with genuine medical problems, where the benefits may outweigh the potential risks, but I do believe that people who use it recreationally aren't doing themselves (or their family) any favours.

Agree with @SewItGoes

There may be health benefits... for people who have health problems to begin with. I'm not denying they exist, but come on. Really grasping at straws here. Like saying steroids are good because they have medical uses too.

Fwiw I've tried cannabis once but was too drunk to really feel the effects anyway. And agree each person reacts differently and it can be very bad for mental health.