A glaringly missing piece of the public conversation about the pending legalization of marijuana is not about the drug, but the pattern of use (if highly frequent), which is what makes it most commonly harmful. The immediate effects of various drugs are more unique in each case but the longer term pattern-of-use effects are not. When people regularly use a drug to turn down the discomfort of facing life, they are losing the only way we actually tend to change.We are less likely to eventually learn from experience, problem-solve and grow. [continues 212 words]
Regular Use of Drugs Delays Emotional Development A missing piece of the public conversation about the pending legislative change to marijuana is not about the drug, but the pattern of use (if highly frequent), which is what makes it most commonly harmful. When people regularly use a drug to turn down the discomfort of life, they are less likely to learn from experience, problem-solve and grow. We all naturally moderate stress somewhat with momentary business or distraction, but using a drug turns stress down for many hours and usually into sleep. Furthermore, tranquillizers, narcotics, more than a small dose of alcohol, and marijuana also suppress dream sleep, where more critical sorting-out and processing occurs. [continues 138 words]
