Is smoking pot illegal?

Question

Is smoking pot illegal?

Answer 1

Duhhhhh you are a r****d to ask that kind of question

Answer 2

You don't really care, just go smoke some more.

Answer 3

YES! What's your iq, 0.5?

Answer 4

Yes it is. And probably a good thing too.

Answer 5

What is marijuana?

What about the medical use of marijuana?

Marijuana's ability to enhance appetite has led to its medical use to reduce the physical wasting caused by AIDS and to reduce nausea for chemotherapy patients. Eight states in the US allow the medical use of marijuana. In 2001, however, the US Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal to sell or possess marijuana for medical use. At this time, the ruling has had little impact on those 8 states. It is unclear whether or not the federal government will actively enforce this ruling

Marijuana is the dried flowers, leaves and stems of the Cannabis sativa plant. The main active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta 9 tetrhydrocannabinol). Marijuana can range from 1% THC to 8%. Hashish can be 7% to 14% THC and hash oil is up to 50% THC. THC is a fat soluble substance and can remain in the lungs and brain tissue for up to 3 weeks. There are over 200 nicknames for marijuana, including pot, herb, mary jane and chronic.

How is marijuana used?

Marijuana is usually smoked, using a pipe, a bong or by rolling a joint. Blunts are cigars that are emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, sometimes in combination with other drugs. It can also be eaten in food, for example, by baking it in brownies.

Why do people use marijuana?

Smoking marijuana can relax a person and elevate their mood. This can be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Other effects include heightened sensory awareness, euphoria, altered perceptions and feeling hungry ("the munchies"). High concentrations of THC may produce a more hallucinogenic response.

Are there short-term dangers of smoking marijuana?

Discomforts associated with smoking marijuana include dry mouth, dry eyes, increased heart rate and visible signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids. Other problems include:

Impaired memory and ability to learn

Difficulty thinking and problem solving

Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia

Impaired muscle coordination and judgment

Increased susceptibility to infections

Dangerous impairment of driving skills. Studies show that it impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors.

Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, because marijuana increases the heart rate

It is virtually impossible to overdose from marijuana, which sets it apart from most drugs.

Are there long-term consequences to smoking marijuana?

Respiratory problems

Someone who smokes marijuana regularly can have many of the same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers. Persistent coughing, symptoms of bronchitis and more frequent chest colds are possible symptoms. There are over 400 chemicals that have been found in marijuana smoke. Benzyprene, a known human carcinogen, is present in marijuana smoke. Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide are 3 to 5 times higher than in cigarette smoke. This is most likely due to inhaling marijuana more deeply, holding the smoke in the lungs and because marijuana smoke is unfiltered.

Memory and learning

Recent research shows that regular marijuana use compromises the ability to learn and to remember information by impairing the ability to focus, sustain, and shift attention. One study also found that long-term use reduces the ability to organize and integrate complex information.

In addition, marijuana impairs short-term memory and decreases motivation to accomplish tasks, even after the high is over. In one study, even small doses impaired the ability to recall words from a list seen 20 minutes earlier.

Fertility

Long-term marijuana use suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system. For men, this can cause decreased sperm counts and very heavy users can experience erectile dysfunction. Women may experience irregular periods from heavy marijuana use. These problems would most likely result in a decreased ability to conceive but not lead to complete infertility.

Is marijuana addictive?

No one would argue that marijuana is as addictive as alcohol or cocaine. However, it's wrong to say that it is not at all addictive. More and more studies are finding that marijuana has addictive properties. Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 8 times higher doses to get the same effects as infrequent users.

For a small percentage of people who use it, marijuana can be highly addictive. It is estimated that 10% to 14% of users will become heavily dependent. More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for marijuana addiction every year. Because the consequences of marijuana use can be subtle and insidious, it is more difficult to recognize signs of addiction. Cultural and societal beliefs that marijuana cannot be addictive make it less likely for people to seek help or to get support for quitting.

How do I recognize a problem with marijuana?

Some warning signs are:

More frequent use

Needing more and more to get the same effect

Spending time thinking about using marijuana

Spending more money than you have on it

Missing class or failing to finish assignments because of marijuana

Making new friends who do it and neglecting old friends who don't

Finding it's hard to be happy without it

Because THC is fat soluble and remains in the body for up to 3 weeks, it's important to remember that withdrawal symptoms might not be felt immediately. If you find that you can't stop using marijuana, then remember, there's help on campus.

Is marijuana illegal?

Yes, marijuana is illegal and its possession, use, and sale carry heavy prison sentences and fines.

What about the medical use of marijuana?

Marijuana's ability to enhance appetite has led to its medical use to reduce the physical wasting caused by AIDS and to reduce nausea for chemotherapy patients. Eight states in the US allow the medical use of marijuana. In 2001, however, the US Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal to sell or possess marijuana for medical use. At this time, the ruling has had little impact on those 8 states. It is unclear whether or not the federal government will actively enforce this ruling

Answer 6

most unfortunately, yes.

Answer 7

it depend s ss  if you dont tell anyoone adn they dont find out no it aint lol yes it is in canada no they r passing a law if you are in the united states the only reason its illegal beacuse the gov.  would nt get taxes!!!lol e me [e-mail]

Answer 8

YES, i think it has been for like the longest time too.

Answer 9

yes but you should not do it

Answer 10

No. Smoking pot is not the illegal aspect of it....

It is the POSSESION of pot that is illegal.

Answer 11

yes

Answer 12

Yes, and a horrible habit, too.

Answer 13

Unfortunately, yes it is (except in West Hollywood, California where there is currently a law allowing personal use -- though probably not for long).

Answer 14

There are eight people that are permitted to smoke it under federal law.

http://www.drcnet.org/gateway/medmj.html

If you're not one of the eight, you run the risk of prosecution.  The risks for consumption vary by state and circumstance:

http://www.norml.com/index.cfm?Group_ID=...

In CA, the law breaks down like this:

  

(Incarceration  / Fine )

Possession

28.5 g or less misdemeanor none $100

More than 28.5 g misdemeanor 6 months $500

28.5 g or less on school grounds while school open (over 18 yers old) misdemeanor 10 days $500

More than 28.5 g on school grounds while school open  (over 18 yers old) misdemeanor 6 months $500

Cultivation

Any amount (exception for patients or caregivers) felony 16 - 36 months none

Sale

Gift of less than 28.5 g misdemeanor none $100

Any amount felony 2 - 4 years none

28.5 g or less by a minor misdemeanor none $250

Any amount to a minor over 14 years old felony 3 - 5 years none

Any amount to a minor under 14 years old (includes offering, inducing, distributing, or employing) felony 3 - 7 years none

Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...)

Any conviction of minor under 21 causes driver's license suspension for 1 year.

Details  

Possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana is not an arrestable offense.  As long as the offender can provide sufficient identification and promises to appear in court, the officer will not arrest the offender.  Upon conviction of the misdemeanor charge the offender is subject to a fine of $100.  Possession of greater than 28.5 grams is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Proposition 36

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act passed by 61% in 2000



Possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana on school grounds when the school is open is punishable by up to 10 days in jail and a $500 fine.  Possession of greater than 28.5 grams or more of marijuana in a school zone is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The cultivation or processing of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to sixteen months in state prison.  There is an exception to the cultivation prohibition for patients or patients’ caregivers who possess or cultivate for personal use by the patient upon approval of a physician.

The laws regarding possession and cultivation of marijuana do not apply to patients or patients’ primary caregivers who possess or cultivate marijuana for the personal medical use of the patient, upon the recommendation or approval of a physician.

Selling marijuana in any amount is punishable by 2 – 4 years in the state prison.  Giving away less than 28.5 grams is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $100.

Sale of marijuana to a minor is punishable by 3 – 5 years in prison.  

For anyone under the age of 21 convicted of any of the above offenses, the state may suspend the offender’s driver’s license for up to one year.

Possession of paraphernalia is a civil fine of $200-$300 for the first offense and goes up to $5,000-$6,000 for a fifth or subsequent violation within a five-year periood.

Answer 15

Depends what country you are in, but in the USA it is.

Answer 16

Federal law still prohibits pot smoking, even for medicinal reasons.  However, some local laws permit it, but you still run the risk of federal prosecution.

Answer 17

It is in the United States. First of all, smoking anything is a disgusting and unhealthy habit. Second, it fries your brain. Thirdly, is it illegal.

Answer 18

It is only illegal in the USA if you do not have a medical prescription for it.

It is legal in many other areas around the world, and in my opinion does less harm than alcohol.

Answer 19

it depends on what country you live in

Answer 20

not in Amsterdam :)

Answer 21

Yes. and leads to many other horrible things, such as health problems, addictions causing you to spend all money to can get a hold of on that drug and other things.

Answer 22

No. Posession is illegal.

Answer 23

Yes, in the USA

Answer 24

not to me:)~  Smoke up!!