Feb 24 - NORML: Medical Marijuana Decreases [rip]s

NORML: Medical Marijuana Decreases [rip]s | Marijuana.com








A lengthy study that researched [rip] rates prior to and subsequent to statewide medical marijuana reforms recently reached it’s conclusion: there is an unequivocal correlation between medical marijuana and reduced [rip] rates. From our friends over at NORML:

Authors found, “The total [rip] rate falls smoothly during the pre-legalization period in both MML (medical marijuana law) and non-MML states. However, beginning in year zero, the trends diverge: the [rip] rate in MML states continues to fall, while the [rip] rate in states that never legalized medical marijuana begins to climb gradually.”

They reported that this downward trend in [rip]s in states post-legalization was especially pronounced in males. “Our results suggest that the passage of a medical marijuana law is[..]ociated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total [rip] rate, an 11 percent reduction in the [rip] rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent reduction in the [rip] rate of 30- through 39-year-old males,” they determined.

Authors theorized that the limited legalization of cannabis may “lead to an improvement in the psychological well-being of young adult males, an improvement that is reflected in fewer [rip]s.” They further speculated, “The strong[..]ociation between alcohol consumption and [rip]-related outcomes found by previous researchers raises the possibility that medical marijuana laws reduce the risk of [rip] by decreasing alcohol consumption.”

They concluded: “Policymakers weighing the pros and cons of legalization should consider the possibility that medical marijuana laws may lead to fewer [rip]s among young adult males.” [NORML]

Life is stressful. On a very basic level, smoking marijuana reduces stress and allows people to faze out the negativity in their lives. On a deeper level, if you live in a non-medical state, innocuous routines like keeping cannabis in your car or smoking on your front porch can spark neurotic thoughts.

Being either in need of medical marijuana or cannabis for recreational consumption in a non-medical state naturally adds unneeded stress to one’s life. Likewise, not having to worry about where you get your medicine from, where you can consume it, and whether or not you’re breaking a law inherently eliminates this superfluous stress.

The comparison between alcohol and marijuana is also an important one that activists and pro-marijuana legislators should certainly focus on. I can’t ever remember waking up from a night of heavy blazing wanting to k!ll myself. After a night of binge drinking, water and a joint are pretty much the only things that keep me on the ledge

And the US treats weed like a damn criminal. Free the weed and heal this once great nation!