Is there really any such thing as recreational use?

[Any Other Illness]

OK I will stir things up a little in here.  Is there really any such thing as recreational use?  Aren't you always using it to relieve some anxiety, stress or depression, or something?  California has the most liberal medical marijuana law, and I don't know of anyone who claims to be using it recreationally, who would not be qualified as a patient under Prop. 215/SB420.  To be sure, a lot of people don't want to register as medical patients because of the stigma, or out of fear of being listed in a government database.  But most if not all of those people could get into the medical program if they wanted to.     

Of course, legalizing recreational use would be satisfactory to all the medical patients too.   Medical patients don't need a doctor's recommendation in Amsterdam.  But as a practical matter, legalization for medical use is a more realistic short term goal. 

We have heard some complaints about some patients seen going into medical dispensaries who "appear young and totally healthy."   The fact is, some people with serious medical conditions, even totally disabled, may look healthy.  You can't judge a medical condition by appearance alone. 

[MystiKasT]

Well you see, this is somewhat of a loaded question you have asked, because it explores unconventional definition of the word "illness".

By definition, I use marijuana for recreational purposes.  This is because I have no documented or diagnosed illness --- simple stress and anxiety do not qualify as one.  I use marijuana for enjoyment, it enhances the activities I do, whether it be interacting with my friends or pondering other-wordly existence.  Individuals who use medical marijuana do not do so to enhance their quality of life above its mean, but to bring their quality of life back to the "norm", to function as any human being would.

In this sense, I believe their is a clear distinction between recreational and medicinal use.

[donl]

Absolutely!,i never looked for any particular reason to smoke pot when i was in college years ago,,actually learned the ''evils'' of pot back in '66 in Vietnam,went to an art college,two actually,found it really helped open the mind more, as years passed i'd occasion a pipe hit or two for no particular reason other than..here don take a hit !  thats what i liked 'bout pot ,didn't need a reason,like it,but don't miss it when not around,or in my case can't have it,least not for awhile

[ChestNuts]

You guys bring up some great points.  There are many reasons to use marijuana, especially for medicinal purposes. I'm sure as you all know it is used with cancer and AIDS patients to restore a healthy diet and relieving vomiting, treating muscle spasms for patients with MS, or just as a pain relief for patients across the board.  Even I have used it for purposes such as medical.  I was diagnosed with Limes disease about 6 years ago, and there seemed to be no cure.  Then pumped every form of median in me in any medium they could find, nothing seemed to stop the headaches and shooting pains in my legs and back.  Being a teenager got me into pot, and case closed.  I recovered better than anyone could explain.  Of course, I couldn't explain the reason for my miraculous recovery, but who cares if I felt alive.
      So that’s my little rant about its medical uses, however, I do believe strongly that it brings people together.  There is nothing more bonding than identifying someone who smokes, getting together and have a good laugh.  It knocks down barriers faster and more broadly than alcohol because it is taboo and trust can be established.  So is it strictly for medical use, not close, but it cannot be discounted for its great unifying power.  No matter where you are or what are your beliefs, you can always light up and enjoy the world.

[oiamed]

I think of how marijuana was used prior to prohibition in the US.  Lincoln used it to relax.  Later on it was bottled as extract and available over the counter in drug stores and used as a tonic.  It would help you go to sleep, to wake up, to relieve cough, to calm down rowdy children, and so on.  I prefer to take a tonic approach. 

In this day and age marijuana is illegal, but so many things are available that try to take the place of marijuana, including booze, chocolate, fattening snacks, candy, etc.  That is why we have so many overweight Americans.  I can imagine people who eat to eliminate emotional pain could simply partake of the herb or just use tonic and be much better off. 

I could even imagine that, part of the reason behind making marijuana illegal was simply so the patent medicine market could flourish.  This is very similar to natural childbirth, which was the "gold standard" in the US up to about 1930.  Then doctors banded together and railed against natural childbirth, branding it "dirty".  They were also able to outlaw doulas, or midwives.  Now, in the US, some 30% of childbirths are by caesarian section.  This is the highest rate in the world, and we wonder why health care costs are so high!

So, we should bring back midwives and weed, Probably the national debt would go away in a year.