All things in moderation should be our motto and this is why we should be tackling our biggest addiction,alcohol.Too many of our young over indulge and there is just too much advertising pushing it's consumption.

Could there be too many self interest groups such as Govt and the industry who are addicted to our addiction?

JayTee: "same old myths - with variations"

no just the best available science to date, see the dramatically titled:

Marijuana and Madness: Psychiatry and Neurobiology
edited by David Castle, Robin Murray (you can view most of it at Google books)
also
Hall W, Degenhardt L, Teeson M. Cannabis use and psychotic disorders: an update. Drug Alcohol Rev 2004;23:433-443 (you can get this online via journalsonline.tandf.co.uk)

JayTee:

"The only harm associated with cannabis is some minor throat irritation"

and higher levels than tobacco alone of all of the cancers associated with smoking.

"most effectively with vaporization"

yes of oils–but not commonly used which is a shame as it's relatively easy to produce.

JayTee:
“the near infinitessimel proportion of the population that are latent schizophrenics”

There is a duty of care in policy formulation to include what is known. Even if you consider it’s not important to you that a 'small' harm is unimportant. Regarding your falacious argument about peanuts. It is a legislated labeling requirement on products that might contain traces of peanuts to say so-good eh!

JayTee:

“Besides, I have heard that some schizophrenics successfully treat their symptoms with marijuana”

There is a level of correlation between schizophrenia and attempts to self medicate using cannabis but the results aren’t good (see Castle and Murray above). A component of cannabis Canabidiol (appears to counteract THC) is being investigated for potential antipsychotic effects. See: http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/drugs-alcohol/dn6324-brain-may-produce-its-own-antipsychotic-drug.html

JayTee:

“Depression is a myth”

JayTee with a statement like that you are an asset to the prohibitionists

JayTee:

“the old prohibitionist "subtle and insidious"”

No, insidious is used by medico’s/researchers in a less pejorative way, see also ‘morbidity’.

JayTee:

“Legalize and regulate it like alcohol, of course”

As if it’s that easy eh? It would be electoral suicide for any government in Australia in the foreseeable future to try, that’s just a political reality. Decriminalise perhaps on a State basis but don’t hold your breath.

Let's get back to topic-If there were TV ads about cannabis what should be in them?

generic_hippie

The “It’s just a plant” book is unbalanced and simplistic. It is a drug in a plant, Datura is a plant too! Smoking anything is problematic. The kid appears just too young to be meaningfully educated about such a topic. The fact that the parents were alone in their bedroom says something doesn’t it? Maybe it should be treated the same way as ‘other’ adult things?

“I believe there should be age restrictions in place, similar to alcohol, but with legality of consumption beginning at 21 years of age.”

That sounds more reasonable. What about any considerations about quantity restrictions, trade, driving?

JayTee

“…OVER COMPENSATE for their light impairment by driving slower and more cautiously”

Wish to try to ‘overcompensate’ yes but when in traffic there’s no evidence that users actually slow down. Whilst motor co-ordination and reflexes are not as effected as alcohol users on particular dose relationships, driving stoned in my opinion is a foolish thing to do. It is difficult for users to estimate dosage of cannabis. I recall a study that pertained to show cannabis users are less attentive–more likely not to see a red light because ‘executive functions’ are effected.

There are quite a number of assertions made by Dr Moodie in his article that started this thread that need to be addressed and perhaps he might like to comment? For instance it is said:

"...Research...also advised against saying using marijuana isn't fun or doesn't have upsides (because it can be, and it does have upsides for many users)"

Don't you think that this ploy will be seen through and that a more factual approach such as quoting the statistics (and sources which were not mentioned in the article tsk tsk) would be seen to be more honest?

Unbalanced - no, it presents the dangers informing the child that it is an adult thing, it presents society's attitude by showing the arrest of the "offenders", and it presents the good side of the plant.

Simplistic – Obviously, the intended audience is children, when we educate our young children about sex in the first instance, we use simplistic terms so as not to overload them with fear and information. The same thing applies here. What would a child know about cannabinoid levels, or what would a child need to know about them? Hence the simplistic approach.

Given the reality that our country’s future is regularly decided by drunk politicians, I don’t think restrictions on quantities and random drug testing for cannabis use is such a huge issue, it comes back to basic bigotry.

The seasonality of cannabis growing, (given the current moves to legislate more heavily against hydroponically grown cannabis) would seem to require large quantities be produced during the growing season to self-supply all year.

I’d also like to point out that it is only through government manipulation of public opinion that we have the situation where cannabis use is again being frowned upon. This extract from the Australian Illicit Drug Report 1996/97 clearly shows the beginnings of this latest manipulation of public opinion; “Unless a major change in attitude occurs, the level of acceptance of cannabis by the general population will continue to increase. This may lead to an increase in disregard for the law and widespread demands for law reform.”

We hear continually that “this is what the public wants” when the reality is that this is what already vested interests want.

Continued bigotry against the cannabis culture.

--- Deus_Abscondis

--- "just the best available science to date, see the dramatically titled: Marijuana and Madness: Psychiatry and Neurobiology"

I know you won't, but others can trust me. I have been a marijuana reformer for a decade. In that time I have pored over every bit of research available, with the TRUTH as my principle weapon. This is a project that I devote several hours each day to in keeping up with every "new finding." If there were any validity to your information, our (U.S.) Drug Czar's office would be shouting it from the highest rooftop. You presented the ideas. I refuted them. Bring more, and I will refute them. As DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis Young concluded after two years of investigations, "Marijuana is the safest therapeutically active substance known to man." Did you even bother looking at the link which contains the great body of research about marijuana? I doubt it. Like all prohibitionists. You run from the facts.

---"and higher levels than tobacco alone of all of the cancers associated with smoking."

Now I know you're blowing smoke from your nether regions. There has not been even ONE case of cancer that has ever been attributed to smoking marijuana.

(ME) "most effectively with vaporization"

--- "yes of oils–but not commonly used which is a shame as it's relatively easy to produce."

And there you show your ignorance. There are several vaporizers on the market that vaporize raw marijuana. No processing necessary (other than removing stems and seeds). Just put a small amount in the vaporizer and turn it on. http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1272.html

Jay Tee-

The tedious set of links you referred me to were a poor argument for the creative benefits of weed. Personally, I find weed-inspired art/music/literature tends to lean towards self-indulgent, naive drivel, and Doctor whatsisface's site is a case in point. And as for your addiction argument, I couldn't disagree more. The 'all-powerful addictive drugs' myth is pushed by whining junkies to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own actions, and is eagerly seized on by god-bothering drug prohibitionists who want to tell us what we can and can't put in our bodies. Drugs don't abuse users, users abuse drugs. marijuana is addictive, but only for losers who can't handle reality without it.