Justin Trudeau says marijuana should be legalized

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Weitz

They already do on booze, why is weed any different?

Because if you don't create a space for there to be discounts on higher volume purchases, then you're not going to make a dent in the black market.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by speede5

Tried that. But weed cures cancer, is natural, and has many other health benefits therefore that point is moot.

You can try explaining that THC has health benefits, but inhaling smoke will forever and always be bad for you, regardless of what it is.

Look, if your kid is this excited about legal weed they were probably already doing it and would have continued regardless of legality. The fact that they are having an open discussion with you about it vs hiding it is a positive step (although it may make you uncomfortable for a while). Having it legal at least you can know that they don't have to put themselves in danger seeking it out on the street.

That said, if they're under 18 it's still illegal. I would avoid an attitude of prohibition and more one of caution. Have you tried it yourself? If not, doing that might give you a perspective or at least a leg up as far as discussing it with them. I would probably take an approach of acceptance mixed with understanding and caution. Like "I don't ever want you driving on it, if you're high that's fine, call me and I'll come get you, or stay the night." I think a good approach too would be offering up that it's okay if you don't like it, and some people don't like the feeling of it no different than alcohol. Don't feel like you have to do it cuz your friends are. And maybe just little hints that you don't like them doing it underage because it will stunt their brain development.

Honestly, I would light one up with them once. Guaranteed it will at worst open up some dialogue between you and give you common ground vs viewing you as a big baddy trying to stop them.

Also, if it bothers you I would look at having a conversation with their friends parents. Not about them not doing it, just talk about it. What their approach is and maybe you can find some common ground or you can at least have them as a contact if they feel the kids are using it too much.

[Coach]

Another thing I would do is just ask them what they like about it. Try not to take a negative or accusatory tone. Just have a simple conversation about why they are experimenting with it, do they think they'll be doing it long term. Suggest maybe that you don't mind them doing it, but that they shouldn't be doing it every day. That if dad was drinking everyday he would be a problem so this is no different.

[CliffFletcher]

My kids are still young, but my wife and I are wondering how we're going to handle it. We both smoked pot quite heavily in our teens and early 20s. Very occasionally since then. I don't think I'm being a hypocrite by wanting to safeguard against my kids taking up pot. I look at the dudes I grew up with who were heavy users, and half of them are pretty serious screw-ups today. I'm in my late 40s and I'm having real problems with my memory, which I attribute to endless knife-hoot sessions when I was 15 to 17.

On the other hand, we drink. When we have parties we drink a fair bit. I have no qualms about cracking beers in front of my kids. But I find it hard to imagine smoking a joint in front of them - or even being stoned around them. It would just seem wrong. Which probably isn't rational.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Which is hilarious because it'll be harder to get for them and the penalties for selling to minors are going to be harsh.

I'm not a parent and am not planning on becoming one but I can give you the perspective of a teen who smoked a tonne of pot and drank pretty heavily during my teen years and the reasons for that were:

- Hated school and had no extracurricular activities so was fairly bored outside of school
- Grew up in an abusive home, so spent as little time there as possible
- My friends smoked weed and because I wanted to spend as little time at home as possible I would be with my friends constantly, so it became a social activity
- Used it to escape the feelings I was having regarding my situations at home and school
- No one ever really had an honest conversation with me regarding the longterm health effects so I tended to believe they were largely exaggerated
- I'm generally prone to risk-seeking behaviour, which unfortunately is mostly genetic and can't be changed

I think the best you can do is have an honest conversation with your kids and instead of telling him why you don't want him to smoke weed, ask them why they wants to and see if that changes the dynamic of the conversation. And I'd arm yourself with as much factual information as possible just so they have the information but try to refrain from lecturing them or making demands.

You also have to remember that even for teens, one of their biggest fears is getting in trouble from or letting down their parents, so I would try to frame the conversation about your worries or concerns about the potential health impacts instead of how angry or upset you'll be.

Just my two cents.

You could be my kid? Except for substitute abusive for broken/divorced home.

Lots of good points in the last couple posts, yours and mattyc, I have tried it and other things but it's been eons and I don't intend to do it for a while since I work in a industry with drug testing.

My kids have been open about some of those issues being reasons for smoking, but they refuse to try alternate things like counselling. They feel have found what they need.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

My kids are still young, but my wife and I are wondering how we're going to handle it. We both smoked pot quite heavily in our teens and early 20s. Very occasionally since then. I don't think I'm being a hypocrite by wanting to safeguard against my kids taking up pot. I look at the dudes I grew up with who were heavy users, and half of them are pretty serious screw-ups today. I'm in my late 40s and I'm having real problems with my memory, which I attribute to endless knife-hoot sessions when I was 15 to 17.

On the other hand, we drink. When we have parties we drink a fair bit. I have no qualms about cracking beers in front of my kids. But I find it hard to imagine smoking a joint in front of them - or even being stoned around them. It would just seem wrong. Which probably isn't rational.

Over time I expect the stigma will disappear and it will be more common for parents to smoke in front of their kids as they do with drinking.

Will cannabis companies be able to advertise on TV like beer and liquor companies do?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by speede5

You could be my kid? Except for substitute abusive for broken/divorced home.

Lots of good points in the last couple posts, yours and mattyc, I have tried it and other things but it's been eons and I don't intend to do it for a while since I work in a industry with drug testing.

My kids have been open about some of those issues being reasons for smoking, but they refuse to try alternate things like counselling. They feel have found what they need.

Maybe you can make a compromise in the form of "okay I will never bother you about smoking if you agree to go to counselling once per week for an hour" and make sure to convey the counselling is not for weed, just a different way to examine yourself.

I'll say this. I'm a little different than rubecube as my dad was an athlete and so was I when younger and so I always considered smoking and drinking to be a hindrance on my body. I didn't drink until I was 17 and didn't smoke weed until 19. Now I smoke habitually. I know it's an issue and I'm grown enough to realize if I need help. I just shared a doobie with my dad for the first time at 28. He knew I smoked, we'd talked about it previously and as I've gotten older he has mellowed on it. And I knew that he indulged sometimes too. But there was still nothing as connecting for me as actually watching him haul on a joint in front of me. Honestly if you greened out in front of your kid it would probably be best thing for your relationship in regards to using it.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Zevo

Are they under 18. If so, it's not legal for them. Kids will get weed if it's available in dispensaries or not.

One of my sons friends had an ounce mailed out from a BC dispensary to my sons house. They are both 15.

Last week.

Lucky for them they got the package before I did.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by speede5

One of my sons friends had an ounce mailed out from a BC dispensary to my sons house. They are both 15.

Last week.

Lucky for them they got the package before I did.

Just out of curiosity, are you as concerned about your kids drinking alcohol as you are about them smoking weed? Teenagers will always drink and/or smoke if they want to, illegal or not that will never change. But in my experience the potheads in high school never really caused any issues, whereas there were multiple hospitalizations from alcohol poisoning and a couple of deaths from drunk driving

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by speede5

One of my sons friends had an ounce mailed out from a BC dispensary to my sons house. They are both 15.

Last week.

Lucky for them they got the package before I did.

Down the toilet it goes, right! Right?

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Well they best not use their booze tax levels if they want to wipe out the black market to any degree.

The tax on spirits is astronomical..upwards of 70% on many items is nothing more than the governments "share".

It will be just as high... How many bootleggers do you know nowadays?

[Azure]

Well if you are aware of the potential issues that it will cause I would say you are FAR ahead of the curve. Most parents seem to want to ignore it and hope their kids don't smoke.

Personally you should probably accept the fact that they will, and probably be a little more tolerant of it. Teach them about side effects and potential dangers of using.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by speede5

One of my sons friends had an ounce mailed out from a BC dispensary to my sons house. They are both 15.

Last week.

Lucky for them they got the package before I did.

You should contact that dispensers and let them know they sold to a 15 year old. If it happens again you will contact the police.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Zevo

You should contact that dispensers and let them know they sold to a 15 year old. If it happens again you will contact the police.

I’m sure they would be happy to lead the police to the older brother that gave his kid brother his medical card.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by speede5

This legal weed stuff is great. I have two average rebellious teens who now have the government on their side and I am the big baddie. Coupled with the opinions of their friends, the internet and the celebrities that know more than I do I now have to basically just accept that they can smoke anytime they want and there's nothing I can do about it.

Cause it's legal.

Anyone else dealing with youth and weed? Any tips?

understanding how cannabinoid compounds affect the developing brain, leading to neurobehavioral alterations or neuropsychiatric disorders later in life, is a serious health issue

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...14299908002999

[V]

So I've never touched pot in my life, but is it possible to smoke a joint without feeling any effects? I can have a beer on a Sunday afternoon and it won't affect me at all, but I thought it was different with weed. So I don't mind the idea of having a beer with my kids when they're old enough, but I don't see an equivalence with weed. I know people like to say that pot and booze are exactly the same, but I don't think that's true. But I am ignorant, so maybe someone can educate me.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by V

So I've never touched pot in my life, but is it possible to smoke a joint without feeling any effects? I can have a beer on a Sunday afternoon and it won't affect me at all, but I thought it was different with weed. So I don't mind the idea of having a beer with my kids when they're old enough, but I don't see an equivalence with weed. I know people like to say that pot and booze are exactly the same, but I don't think that's true. But I am ignorant, so maybe someone can educate me.

a joint for a beginner you would definitely get high.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by V

So I've never touched pot in my life, but is it possible to smoke a joint without feeling any effects? I can have a beer on a Sunday afternoon and it won't affect me at all, but I thought it was different with weed. So I don't mind the idea of having a beer with my kids when they're old enough, but I don't see an equivalence with weed. I know people like to say that pot and booze are exactly the same, but I don't think that's true. But I am ignorant, so maybe someone can educate me.

If you smoked a CBD strain you would not get high. It would likely reduce your stress and anxiety while also possibly treating other things but it won’t impair you at all.

[Coach]

Yes a high CBD strain (vs THC) gives the anti anxiety and pain management side without head highs.

[CliffFletcher]

Alcohol is more dangerous for teens on a per use basis, no doubt. Teenagers can get up to really stupid, dangerous stuff when they're drunk.

However, chronic - daily - pot use is a lot more common at that age than daily drinking. And it has effects that are more insidious than drinking. When you're smoking pot every day, you can become a total burnout. Lose motivation. Some of my high school buddies never stopped. They're been burnouts their whole lives.