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| Did Homer Go To Pot? |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 17, 2002 at 08:49:37 PT By Robert S. Stephens and Roger A. Roffman Source: Seattle Times 
We often hear the bad things that drugs do, and messages aimed at deterring drug use are the norm. Rarely do we see messages that drug use has benefits. We believe there are good reasons for a more honest dialogue about the positive and negative effects of marijuana use. A recent episode of the popular TV show "The Simpsons" highlighted the pros and cons of marijuana use, and Homer Simpson's experiences with marijuana provide an example of what we mean. After a run-in with some angry crows, Homer was prescribed medicinal marijuana for the pain from eye injuries. In addition to the pain relief, Homer found himself having an enhanced appreciation for music, food and a variety of sensory experiences as a result of his marijuana use. He became more relaxed and enjoyed life in ways he hadn't before. These are real effects reported by many marijuana users, and we would be hard pressed to call them anything other than benefits. Homer became preoccupied with smoking marijuana and some not-so-positive effects showed up. He spent more time with other users and less with his family. His friends thought that he was too "spacey" and noticed a change in his personality. Yet, Homer continued to function reasonably well at work and was actually liked better by some people. Eventually, problems with memory and attention became evident when Homer and other marijuana users lost track of the date and scheduled a pro-marijuana rally the day after an important vote was taken on whether medicinal marijuana should be legal. Perhaps a bit exaggerated, but clearly there are costs of marijuana use similar to these that are experienced by real-life users. It shouldn't surprise us that there is a positive side to marijuana use. After all, why else would people smoke it? It's also not surprising that drug education usually emphasizes the negative effects. Some believe that talking too much about the positive effects might encourage more people to start using and lead to more negative effects in the long run. But there are over 10 million people in the United States who currently use marijuana, and they already know about the positive effects. Might some of them have noticed some of the not-so-positive effects? Like Homer, they may be wondering if the costs of using outweigh the benefits, or vice versa. Depending upon our own personal experiences, either answer may seem obvious. But it's not always that easy. Even Homer's intelligent, sensitive and thoughtful daughter cannot clearly decide which Homer she prefers: the mellow, spacey and less-available Homer or her newly abstinent and increasingly ornery father. Could Homer approach most drug-treatment providers and expect to get a fair assessment of the pros and cons of continuing use? Probably not. The business of drug-abuse treatment is to help people to overcome dependence. Therefore, most drug users do not approach treatment unless the problems resulting from their use are so great that they know they want to quit. But this is a small fraction of drug users and many more are conflicted about whether to stop using. We see many adult marijuana users who are conflicted about the costs and benefits of marijuana use and the pros and cons of quitting or reducing use. We see them as participants in a research project at the University of Washington financed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. To date, 129 people have joined the project, called The Marijuana Check-Up. The program is free and confidential. It's an opportunity to openly and honestly discuss personal experiences with marijuana use and to weigh the costs and benefits without pressure to quit. Our research shows that some people make changes and some do not after going through the program. Almost all are appreciative of the respect they are shown, the fact that marijuana is not demonized, and the opportunity they've gotten to take an honest and unbiased look at their marijuana use. If this type of service were readily available in our nation's drug-abuse-services system, we predict we would see many more users coming forward, and they would be a little more ready to ask for help in the future should the cost-benefit scales tip in favor of change. Robert S. Stephens is associate professor of psychology at Virginia Tech. Roger A. Roffman is professor of social work at the University of Washington. For more information on The Marijuana Check-Up, call (206) 616-3457. Source: Seattle Times (WA) Related Article & Web Site: Marijuana Check- Up Culture Vulture - Goin' Phishin' Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #10 posted by FoM on May 18, 2002 at 19:02:12 PT |
| Thank you for mention CannabisNews on Harold Stern. I remember the first time I heard him on the radio and went what who's that? I don't know much about him. I've only heard him a few times. I'm a country type person and he was way out there for me. I mean way out there! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by gloovins on May 18, 2002 at 16:44:02 PT |
| Hi all Just a little story for you. My friend books radio jobs for me & other actors I know. I have been on Howard Stern once & Mancow from Chicago several times as a phoney phone call. Call it "voice work". It pays well & you don't even leave yr house, they call YOU. It's live, east coast morning radio so it is usually like around 4 am when they call so...its not all that great but its good extra money for just basically improv acting work. Anyway, I was listening to Howard about a month ago & called in cause I wanted to mention medical marijuana & ask if he'd seen the 48 hrs recently on the 8 yr old boy who recieved cannabis pills homemade by his mother after all else had failed & the boy looked like a frothing dog on all the pharmacuticals he was given. I slipped where I'd seen it 1st when I finally got on ("on cannabisnews.com") because initially the flunky ph screener they got working said med mj was "not on topic" i.e.: he wasnt puttin me thru, but alas no piss-ant radio screener is too tough for my ass so I called back in (I have the "direct Hotline #, hehe) And, upon hearing Howard talk of his loving being currently on Vicoden for some ailment, I called in once more claiming to be "Jennifer" saying in my best, highest womans voice, "Ahhh yes, I think Howard is different now, not the same, as he was before now that he is on Vicoden, etc..." THIS was getting me on, "hold on one sec I'll put ya thru" excitingly said the Stern lackey phone flunkyfuck. Damn that was easy. So I get on eventually & Howard says "Jennifer, you're on the air..." "Oh, Hi actually it's Johnny..." I say "Ok, Johnny, you're on the air..." "I was wondering what do you feel about this CBS News report about this kid whose was given medical marijuana by his mom, and she won her court case and waas able to give it to him, he had Attention Defiect Disorder but a very severe case & like, outburst disorder & he was like a frothing dog on all the pharacuticals they gave him ...you'll have to excuse me, I'm a little nervous..." I said sorta stumbling over some words. "Don't be nervous..." Howard said. "I Ahhh, I didn't read that story ...but ...ahhhh...I can't imagine..." "It was on 48 hrs and CANNABISNEWS.COM..." I interrupted. "I can't imagine that 10 year old, you said a 10 year old?" he asked. "Umm he was like about 9 to 11 or 12 year old, right around there. 8." I said "Yea, I can't imagine that a 9 to 11 year old..." he said "8" I said "...would get any gain outta smoking dope because..." Howie started. "No, no, no not smoked, it was used in a water & butter concoction & then put into capsules. He did not know he was getting it." I emphatically said "And the kid, and the kid, ahhh...." Howard stumbled, thinking. "I suffer from it, okay?" I said "From ADD," he asked. "Yes & hyperactivity as well, and honsetly I don't have a recommedation or oral recommendation..." I explained before he interrupted with, "I don't know, I'm not a doctor but I'll tell ya one thing: I'm for the legalization of every drug on the planet that people..." he said "But with rules though" I stated "How about a mandatory minimum if you get caught behind the wheel, or contributing or giv...." ing to minors not perscribed by a doctor (I tried to finish with this but was cut off before I could finish with this.... "Uhh I don't know.., this guy's all over the place," Howard says frustratingly "He does have ADD, I..., I can't take it." "I think he's basically saying, just like with alcohol, you wouldn't be able to drive impared, etc etc." Robin says, understanding me. "Those are the only laws there should be." "I don't know, I just know that pot screws me up & I'm 48. Friggin pot makes me nuts." Howard says. "But they also, there is mounting evidence that pot, for ahhh, children, ya know when they're growing & still developing, it CAN have some effects, the side effects that ahhhh, aren't good." Ms. Quivers ignorantly chimes in. "I think it does. I don't think young kids should be smoking pot. Not 9 and 10." Howard states even more ignorantly. Ahhh didn't I just tell you his Mom gave it to him IN CAPSULES???? Damn that bannana nose idiot is such an ignoramus dickhead sometimes. I know his "style consultant" Ralph smokes herb & fmr sidekick Jackie is a notorious smoker. Robin layed on her floor for a whole year, stoned. This is all things I've heard on their own show. I called in later in the show to say it WASNT SMOKED but in capsules but he hung up on me again -- this time I barely even got to say anything except that, but I was glad I did. Robin even remarked..."Persistant one, uh?" Yes persistant I am there Robin Quivers & Howard Stern you big phoneys. I've actaully been paid by you to be on yr show! They pay for some of those calls! That show is a scam, just like all the others. I was on in Aug 2000 as "Jake Smefflles, President of the "Don't-mak-a-wish Foundation" He liked talking to me then, when I was Jake, the caller they PAID for, just like Howard says he DOESN'T do, ever. You are a millionare LIAR Howard, I laugh AT you! Don't believe me? Go to electriceel.net. Maybe you could be my friend Harry's next caller & make a little extra cash. Gotta be good @ improv though. Ok well I just wanted to chime in w/that story. I have it on cassette, I may post it for ya'll if you didn't hear it. BTW, did anyone hear me? It was about a month ot 2 ago. let me know. Oh yea BTW: Howard, just cause cannabis messes YOU up, does that mean it should be bannned for EVERYONE?? Why don't you go to No-boo, your favorite hangout & get drunk & slip on the floor crack yr head open & then we'll see if you need some medical cannabis. You do think all drugs should be legal, right Howard? Call him & ask all. The direct dial # is : 212.314.9322 PEACE LOVE n COMEDY all....;) Coming soon, my full web site on the write-in campaign for Johnson/Ventura in 2004. If you thought the 2000 election was wild, wait till 2004!!!!! Lets take back our government all....it CAN be done! stay tuned [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by scott on May 17, 2002 at 13:44:33 PT |
| Nice link, thanks.
It seems as if this MP actually believes in telling the truth. He also seems up beat about the future. We'll see wednesday. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by masscrusader on May 17, 2002 at 11:27:27 PT |
| check out the guardian for an interesting article from an MP that is working on the drug policy report due next wednesday in the UK. www.guardian.co.uk (pick of the day) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by p4me on May 17, 2002 at 10:40:09 PT |
| Here is a link to a Cannabis Culture article about the possibility that the coffeeshops in Holland may close in the next year. There is mention that the US may have been involved in persuading the outcome of last week's Dutch Elections. http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2429.html VAAI [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 17, 2002 at 10:35:32 PT |
| I got to see it on tape. I got a wonderful care package from Nicholas and we watched the tape last night. I never heard of Alexa.com but will check it out for sure. Soon I'll be able to watch Pot TV. I know we are growing. It's been over 3,000 front page hits most of the times except weekends and it goes down in the 2000s a day. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by p4me on May 17, 2002 at 10:27:00 PT |
| penetrates the media blackout. The short little e-letter I wrote to my paper did not appear. I am just sitting here typing and speaking my mind. The one thing that disturbs me is that NORML has not had some kind of demonstration in front of a newspaper office. That Kieth Stroup could write a short letter like mine and when it doesn't get printed after a few request, he should call for a demonstration. I have also said before there are no current polls regarding relegalization to quote. The only one that ever gets mentioned is the 34% from last summer. How can the people at NORML and others like the Lindesmith Institute tolerate not knowing this. Not only that, somebody needs to conduct a set of polls with similar but differently worded questions if just to point out the importance of the wording of the question. What is the difference between "Are you for the legalization of marijuana" and "Are you for the relegalization of marijuana" and "Do you think the 65 years of federal prohibition of marijuana should end." The other phrasing I personally would be interested in is "Do you think marijuana should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol?" Fom, I was talking about Bill Maher at the NORML convention as seen here: http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1317.html The May 17th show at pot-tv showed a fiery Marc Emery letting the Canadian Commission and the head Law Enforcement Officer in that part of the country-Plachette or something- have it. Dick Cowan is interviewed by phone and comments about that Placette guy lying about the potency levels compared to the RCMP own figures. He also comments on the threatened trade sanctions. They also talked about alexa.com that rates websites. They say MAPINC is rated 24,578 and pot-tv is 37,716. I looked up cannabisnews and it was 118,005. We have got to get up to 100,000 on files opened in a day and in the top 100,000 on the net. VAAI [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by SpaceCat on May 17, 2002 at 09:24:27 PT |
| This Simpsons show was pretty good, especially in these days of its waning quality, but the parody was not as incisive as it has been in the past. They rag nicely on all sides, but devolve to some typical stoner stereotypes merely as a plot device and lose their momentum thereby. Some of this guys take on the episode reveals that he's not that familiar with the Simpsons- His unavailability to his kids has been a Simpsons staple from day one, nothing to do with Marijuana. It was all redeemed with one great line from Homer (describing the positive aspects of MJ): "So, whether you've got glaucoma, or you just rented the Matrix..." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 17, 2002 at 09:11:40 PT |
| http://wsbradio.com/about_us/neal_boortz.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by bcg on May 17, 2002 at 09:05:58 PT |
| The debate between Atlanta Libertarian talk radio host Neal Boortz and Bob Barr on Medical Marijuana is being broadcast online at WSBradio.com It will be broadcast today, tommorrow, and Sunday [ Post Comment ] |
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