Using mood altering substances is not the way to go through life

To The Daily Sun,

Marijuana is still illegal in most sates, therefore law-abiding citizens should not possess it. A cannabis related arrest record can hinder one's progress in life.

The U.S. is the number one drug consuming nation in the world. Full eradication of all addiction, available legal and illegal mood-altering substances and of course the number one negative impact drug of all, alcohol is not possible. But harm reduction, damage control and aggressive prevention efforts will continue to mitigate substance use related destruction to our society. Virtually all substances have negative side effects that vary in their level of harm. Behavioral side effects of too much alcohol in many cases include increased aggression, inability to control anger, higher homicide/suicide potential and immeasurable levels of loss and despair. Most social drinkers, however, enjoy a positive affect from mild to moderate alcohol use.

Cannabis does not usually cause aggressive behavior. Though regular use of cannabis is not recommended due to the increased possibility of lung problems, in some cases anxiety disorders and eventual increased potential of more addictive drug use. (where there is one illicit substance others may be more readily available too). There is also evidence that long-term pot smoking can result in a diminished IQ.

Many people, when they are at the age of choosing a substance to use in a social setting, consume alcohol over cannabis simply because it is legal. If marijuana were totally legal, as legal as alcohol and displayed on shelves at the local liquor store in packages for instance similar to cigarette packs as well as being just as socially acceptable as alcohol … then perhaps many people would have become addicted or regular users of pot instead of alcohol.

As I said no mood altering substances is the best way to go through life and I personally never liked marijuana very much. The last time I smoked it was 1987. I’m not a proponent of alcohol or pot use but there would be less violent crime, maybe a LOT less if more people used pot instead of drinking a lot. Never ever consume ANY mood altering substance when driving!...

Though pot use can contribute to eating disorders it doesn’t seem to contribute to domestic violence where spouses are often seriously hurt or killed. It can cause memory problems but its not as likely to cause often fatal crashes like alcohol does every hour of every day in the U.S. Pot very well may inhibit a persons ambition … and result in a less progressive lifestyle over the long term but rarely do pot smokers attack others in bars, on the street or at the family barbecue or wedding receptions.

If 10-20 percent of those who became alcoholic were chronic pot smokers instead… there would be a lot less violent crime, fewer people killed in drunk driving accidents, less overworked police and probably less costly physical health problems. Regular Cannabis smoking may not cut as many years off a persons life as compared long-term boozing.

Yes, Id love to see the world instantly become 100 percent abstinent. Personal lives would be of better quality overall. But a lot of jobs such as substance treatment and mental health practitioners, law-enforcement persons, judges, doctors, lawyers, the pharma industry, corrections staff, gun salesman, security camera companies and so on may end up seeking other occupations…heck the economy may collapse at least temporarily. Quite a paradox.

Less harm reduction is better than no harm reduction. Only a few who endeavor to be totally clean and sober manage to maintain a completely substance free recovery but that percentage is slowly increasing due to concerted efforts from all of the above. There is realistic hope.

Michael Tensel

A&D Recovery Counseling-Laconia