4 ms·

One of my pet peeves is the oft repeated slogan “it’s not addictive”. And by definition, that’s true. But neither is Methamphetamine. But people still throw it

One of my pet peeves is the oft repeated slogan “it’s not addictive”. And by definition, that’s true. But neither is Methamphetamine. But people still throw it around like it’s some kind of scientific blessing that you can’t form a dependency. Also, I think the true cost of marijuana is the opportunity cost - it’s not just what it does to you, it’s what it takes from you - your motivation, potential etc. And it’s really quite toxic to your long term mental health, in devilishly insidious ways - and is usually accompanied by aggressively-defended self deceptions.

mburee 4y ago
On the other hand coffee is addictive, but I have yet so see someone go down the drain mentally for drinking coffee all the time. Sure, not a lot of pot users do, but there's the minority that seems to spend 80% of their free time smoking.
- gilded-lilly 4y ago
  I’ve noticed this too. I think “habit forming” might be a better phrase - coupled with potential impacts to life, divided into positive and negative impacts (positive such as tooth decay, impacts on physical and mental health; negative such as lack of motivation, reduced general ambition, lack of initiative for non drug related activities, reduced concentration, altered perspective and so on) might be a better framework. Cannabis might not be as obviously life ruining as hard drugs such as alcohol, meth and heroin - but it’s no less debilitating for society to have people re-orient themselves away from traditional goal-seeking behavior (such as finding a job or starting a family).
- thih9 4y ago
  There are people who spend 80% of their time with a cup of coffee; it's not without side effects either, they risk e.g.: increased blood pressure, anxiety, trouble sleeping.
valtism 4y ago
I don't understand what you mean by saying that Cannabis and Meth are not addictive by definition. I think that they are both dependency-inducing and addictive as drugs.
- gilded-lilly 4y ago
  “Addictive” only applies to substances which cause physical withdrawal symptoms - coffee, cigarettes, xanax, heroin, alcohol. But drugs such as methamphetamine and cannabis technically aren’t addictive because they don’t cause any physical withdrawal symptoms.

mburee 4y ago

On the other hand coffee is addictive, but I have yet so see someone go down the drain mentally for drinking coffee all the time. Sure, not a lot of pot users do, but there's the minority that seems to spend 80% of their free time smoking.

gilded-lilly 4y ago
I’ve noticed this too. I think “habit forming” might be a better phrase - coupled with potential impacts to life, divided into positive and negative impacts (positive such as tooth decay, impacts on physical and mental health; negative such as lack of motivation, reduced general ambition, lack of initiative for non drug related activities, reduced concentration, altered perspective and so on) might be a better framework. Cannabis might not be as obviously life ruining as hard drugs such as alcohol, meth and heroin - but it’s no less debilitating for society to have people re-orient themselves away from traditional goal-seeking behavior (such as finding a job or starting a family).
thih9 4y ago
There are people who spend 80% of their time with a cup of coffee; it's not without side effects either, they risk e.g.: increased blood pressure, anxiety, trouble sleeping.

valtism 4y ago

I don't understand what you mean by saying that Cannabis and Meth are not addictive by definition. I think that they are both dependency-inducing and addictive as drugs.

gilded-lilly 4y ago
“Addictive” only applies to substances which cause physical withdrawal symptoms - coffee, cigarettes, xanax, heroin, alcohol. But drugs such as methamphetamine and cannabis technically aren’t addictive because they don’t cause any physical withdrawal symptoms.