What studies does your text book quote? I'm even willing to find information about the studies, if you'll tell me who did them.
Also, just because your textbook was released recently, doesn't mean that it contains the most up-to-date information about cannabis. This study I quoted is two years old, but that textbook, or that section of that text book might have been written even before then. Also, sometimes studies take a while to get into all of the text books, or are still in peer review.
And, I wonder, what sort of text book are we talking about? Is it specifically about drugs or specifically about cannabis? Or is it a more general book about health, medicine, psychology, or something of that nature? A more general book sometimes won't look at all of the evidence available on every single subject covered, simply because the authors don't have the time to do so before deadlines. Also, there is possible lack of author knowledge or author bias to be taken into account, much bad or misleading information has been released about cannabis over the years, and people who haven't deeply researched the topic might not know that such information has since been discredited or might not care.
In your opinion, maybe. But then, in my opinion, there are many activities that I see as "pointless" like going to a Christian Church every Sunday, or protesting at Adult stores.
Anyway, why does every activity need to have a "point"? Is there something wrong with doing activities that don't accomplish something for the greater good?
That isn't even close to true. Why would anyone do drugs if they weren't getting something out of it? Obviously, everyone who does drugs feels like they are gaining something from it. Whether they are gaining enjoyment, relaxation, or deep philosophical or religious insights, they certainly believe that their drug(s) of choice are worth doing!
I agree that drugs should be encouraged on this website, after all it is against the rules. But that doesn't mean that I agree with lying or misleading people to deter them from doing drugs. And I've tried to back up all of my statements with reports about studies (given that I can't link to the studies themselves).
To address your other point, I don't feel that something should not be done just because it is seen as a "waste of time". After all, we are debating on an internet forum, something which certainly isn't "useful" in any practical form. I hope you don't believe that you should "go outside and do something useful" instead of replying. *wink*
From Understanding Psychology written by Robert S. Feldman, Module 16 - Drug Use, under the heading Narcotic: Relieving Pain and Anxiety and subheading Hallucinogens: Psychedelic Drugs.
"The most common hallucinogen in widespread use today is marijuana, whose active ingredient - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - is found in a a common weed, cannabis. Marijuana is typically smoked in cigarettes or pipes, although it can be cooked and eaten. Just over 34 percent of high school seniors and 12 percent of eighth-graders report having used marijuana in the last year (Johnston et al., 2004 [I'll try to find the graph it provides on this])
The effects of marijuana very from person to person, but they typically consist of feelings of euphoria and general well-being. Sensory experiences seem more vivid and intense, and a person's sense of self-importance seems to grow. Memory may be impaired, causing the user to feel pleasantly "spaced out". However, the effects are not universally positive. Individuals who use marijuana when they feel depressed can end up even more depressed, because the drug tends to magnify both good and bad feelings.
There are clear risks associated with long-term, heavy marijuana use. Although marijuana does not seem to produce addiction by itself, some evidence suggests that there are similarities in the way marijuana and drugs such as cocaine and heroin affect the brain. Furthermore, there is some evidence that heavy use at least temporarily decreases the production of the male sex hormone testosterone, potentially affecting sexual activity and sperm count. (DiChiara & Reinhart, 1997; Block et al., 2000; Iverson, 2000).
In addition, marijuana smoked during pregnancy may have lasting effects on children who are exposed prenatally, although the results are inconsistent. Heavy use also affects the ability of the immune system to fight off germs and increases stress son the heart, although it is unclear how strong these effects are. There is
one unquestionably negative consequence of smoking marijuana: The smoke damages the lungs much the way cigarette smoke does, producing an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer and other lung diseases. (Cornelius et al., 1995; Julien, 2001).
Despite the possible dangers of marijuana user, there is little scientific evidence for the popular belief that users 'graduate' from marijuana to more dangerous drugs. Furthermore, the use of marijuana is routine in certain cultures. For instance, some people in Jamaica habitually drink a marijuana-based tea related to religious practices. In addiction, marijuana has several medical uses; it can be used to prevent nausea from chemotherapy, treats some AIDS symptoms, and relieve muscle spasms for people with spinal cord injuries. In a controversial move, several states have made the use of the drug legal if it is prescribed by a physician - although it remains illegal under U.S. federal law (Brookhiser, 1997; National Academy of Sciences, 1999; Iverson, 2000)."
Emphasis added by me. That took a long time to type out. I would also like to add, that something does not have to be formulated to be addicting in order for a person to become addicted. Pretty much anything can become an addiction. It's a matter of the willpower of the person. The only difference between biological addictions and mental addictions are that biological addictions don't have the enjoyability factor, since heavy use of the drug your addicted to causes the drug to take no affect on the user. In mental addictions, if something is no longer enjoyable, it just becomes easier to quit.
I do recognize that most of the studies are between 1997-2001, but in a scientific field, that isn't a lot of time. A good study takes years to fully understand, label, check and double-check the results and then publish it.
The fact that the author included a case for making marijuana legal, makes me doubt that it is bias. And since drugs are a large part of general psychology, I don't think he'd downplay their importance. I've read through this textbook (well skimmed. I've only thoroughly read chapters on neurology, drugs, consciousness, sexuality and social psych.) and the author seems to balance his concentration. It's a good textbook. Especially compared to my New Testament textbook.
That's not the point of it being pointless (lol). Most activities have a reward, or else they're regarded as either useless or criminal. Even sitting here at the computer is teaching me something. It's exercising my typing ability and on a debate forum it makes me think about what I'll be typing and how to properly give my argument. What seems like the most mundane activity can be rewarding. I have a friend who went bungee jumping off a bridge into a lake. Was is dangerous? Yes. Was it stupid? Definitely. Was it really entertaining to watch? Actually it was. But it still had it's benefits. Since he was doing it in a safe area, with plenty of people, over something that will catch him with mercy if he falls, the thrill was protected. The jump practices endurance and for some it's a final sense in overcoming fear of heights. I went bungee diving a few weeks ago. I have a fear of heights (not extreme but it's one of the only fears I have. Needles is my extreme) and let me tell you, it has not been nearly as bad since I flew from 300 feet in the air. That's reward.
But for marijuana, it may be enjoyable but unless you are sick, it won't do much for you and could make things worse for you. So what if it's enjoyable? I've never met someone afraid of marijuana or seeing hallucinations (I'm sure they're out there but, that's hardly a profitable demographic) so there's no fears to overcome. So if there's no reward, why do it? If you want to spacey, take a nap and daydream. That's what I do. And it's far more enjoyable since I have control over what I'm thinking too.
Feeling good - if it feels good it must be okay, right? Just because something feels good doesn't mean it fulfills anything. You keep comparing it to religious activity. Spirituality is a part of peoples lives, though it takes different forms depending on what beliefs people subscribe too. Religious activities fulfill a spiritual desire. For many, it's just as important as crying once in a while to fulfill emotional needs.
Also, debate is useful. When it's nice and organized anyway.
