Medical Marijuana Workers in California Join Union Local

In what cannabis fans were calling a high-water mark for their movement to legitimize the drug, about 100 employees of medical marijuana-related businesses in Oakland were welcomed to the ranks of unionized workers on Friday after voting to join the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 5.

The move — which union officials said was the first time medical marijuana employees had been so represented — was hailed by the local’s leadership, who called their new members ‘great workers.”

“This is a natural for us,” said Ron Lind, the president of Local 5, whose 26,000 other members work primarily in groceries and the meat industry. “Our union’s primary jurisdiction is retail.”

The move was also welcomed by Richard Lee, the founder of Oaksterdam University, the medical marijuana trade school whose Oakland campus employs some 60 newly unionized members in its dispensary, gift shop and nursery. (For plants, not children.) Mr. Lee that said his employees were already offered health benefits and paid vacation, but that the union imprimatur was an important milestone in the battle to bring marijuana more into the mainstream.

“It’s one more step towards ending federal restrictions,” said Mr. Lee, a leading proponent of a November ballot measure which would legalize, regulate and tax the drug in California. Marijuana, legal for medical use in California and more than a dozen other states, is still prohibited by federal law.

Officials in Oakland, which has an unemployment rate of more than 17 percent, also cheered the move — and the movement — as a potential boon for the city.

For the workers themselves, however, their new status as union members was somewhat of a personal triumph.

“Now I can go home to my parents and they can see it’s a good thing and a normal thing,” said Cassie Leone, a tattooed 24-year-old who works at a local marijuana dispensary. It made her feel like a “hardworking human being,” she said. “Which is what I am.”

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How to Quit Smoking Pot

One of the challenges that many people face is transitioning out of adolescence and becoming fully functioning adults. Many times this means leaving behind the bad habits of one's youth. Among the habits that people want to kick is smoking marijuana. However, many marijuana smokers have found that quitting weed can be quite challenging and this article will discuss how to quit smoking pot effectively.

How to quit smoking pot

There are many reasons why a person may want to stop using marijuana. These reasons may be legal, financial, health or personal reasons. Yet regardless of the reason, the process for stopping pot use is ultimately the same. The fact of the matter is that marijuana is a drug and no matter what pro-marijuana activists tell you, this is the reality of the situation. And though some claim that marijuana is not physically addictive like alcohol or nicotine, there can still be complications and marijuana withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to quit smoking weed for good. Therefore, it has been shown that if you make a plan to quit weed, you will likely enjoy greater success.

In order to quit smoking pot you will need to be willing to make certain changes. Quitting weed requires that you re-train the brain and to do this you are going to have to take certain actions. First, you will need to cease hanging out with your weed smoking friends. This does not mean that you have to stop being their friends, but you will not be able to be in their company when they are using the drug if you want to successfully quit smoking weed yourself. The reason for this is simple and comes down to cravings. If you put yourself in a situation wherein you usually smoked marijuana, your brain is going to bombard you with marijuana cravings which can make successfully quitting marijuana all the more difficult.

The second thing that you are going to have to do is to pick up or develop some healthy hobbies. Most marijuana addicts spend a lot of time using their drug. In order to quit smoking marijuana, you must involve the brain in body in other activities in order to get your mind off the sudden lack of marijuana. Many people find that an exercise program can be especially helpful in helping them get off marijuana because it involves the body and brain while draining some of the energy that would otherwise be used in marijuana cravings.

It is important to realize that quitting marijuana is a process and you may not be successful on your first attempt. Learning from your mistakes and learning how to quit smoking weed is the process by which you educate yourself about what works and what does not. So, be gentle with yourself but remained determined. And, for most people, quitting marijuana is something that, once achieved, can make a substantial difference in a person's quality of life.

As I have said before, learning how to quit smoking marijuana is a process. You will learn from doing and learn from your mistakes. The important thing to realize is that anyone, even people addicted to weed can successfully drop a bad pot-smoking habit if they put their mind to it and display determination.

About Marijuana

Weed, pot, Mary Jane, herb, dope, grass. Marijuana goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, it remains the number one illegal recreational drug in the United States. Though some states have laws permitting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, possession and distribution of the drug is still largely considered a misdemeanor. Yet, regardless of whether or not any drug is legal, abuse is still possible and always very harmful. Despite arguments for and against its use, marijuana users may not be immune to addiction.

A by-product of the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana has been used by various cultures for centuries for medicinal and spiritual uses. The ancient Aryan Indians used a form of cannabis in tribal rituals, and the drug has been known to treat discomfort from headaches, glaucoma, and nausea resulting from chemotherapy. Marijuana also has a strong association to pop culture. It is not uncommon for people to pass around a joint during a rock concert, while recent films like "Half Baked" and "Harold and Kumar" have helped bring marijuana use into the mainstream.

It is the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in marijuana that effects the immune system during intake. THC may promote a prolonged feeling of relaxation and/or disorientation in users, that "stoned" feeling that encourages sleepiness and increases the appetite (also known as "getting the munchies"). Enjoying such a euphoria may encourage some to continue using the drug on a regular basis.

A number of negative side effects, including loss of memory and increasing paranoia, are thought to be attributed to overuse of the drug. Like ordinary tobacco, regular use of marijuana may also increase the risk for lung cancer and other related illnesses. It is also argued that marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading users to try harder stimulants and narcotics once the body has become accustomed to THC's numbing effects, yearning for a stronger high.

Signs that a person may be abusing marijuana might include:

Sudden mood changes, depression and listlessness

Redness in the eyes

Problems with concentration, short-term memory loss

Change in appearance

Marijuana has a distinct odor that lingers in clothes and hair when smoked



Users of marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational use, should be made aware of the risks of addiction and possible health damage. Parents who suspect their young children of abusing the drug look for the signs and consult professional help as soon as possible.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Quitting Marijuana - Why Should You Stop & How?

There are so many people addicted to the so-called grass or marijuana. There are so many people who thought that using marijuana can give them comfort in their lives. They thought that they'll be happy, relaxed and fulfilled. But it is too late for them to realize that using marijuana can only bring them harm, not good. Therefore, if you are a user, it is never too late for you to stop using it. It may NOT be easy to quit smoking pot but it is not impossible.

Studies show that adolescents as young as 12 start to smoke marijuana. Many give it a try at this age because of curiosity. Others reasoned that they just want to belong to their friends and so they decided to try the puff. However, regardless of what reason it may be it does not justify the use of marijuana. Remember, scientific study showed that addiction to this weed is fatal since it can cause lung cancer and other deadly diseases.

Smoking cigarettes affects a body of a person. It can make the person physically unhealthy. On the other hand, smoking marijuana affects a person's body in that it can make a person very sick. Marijuana does not only affect the body but also the person's minds. An addict may lose memory, emotional sensitivity and even lose self-esteem. Smoking pot is deadlier since it deposits three times as much tar in a person's lungs compared to cigarettes. So, if you want a healthy body and a healthy mind, then stop smoking marijuana.

Once you decide to stop your marijuana addiction, the next question is "How to do it"? It is not easy to stop smoking pot. There are so many things that you must do. First, set your mind not to use it. Avoid and remove all those things that relate to marijuana. If you have that inside or outside your house, then throw it away. There are also types of music that relates to marijuana, so better get rid of them. Choose your friends and avoid those who will influence you in the usage of marijuana. Engage in healthful and educational activities. So, never watch those shows which only promote using drugs like marijuana. Good mindset and determination will play a vital role so that you can eventually reach your objective of quitting marijuana. You should have a good action plan and be determined to stick to this plan. Reach out to good friends and be humble enough to accept help. You should ask for the support of your family and friends and reveal to them your aim to stop the addiction. This is not an easy process. There may be times along the way that you still find yourself smoking the weed, but eventually you will have a good momentum of not even touching a marijuana weed. Just be determined and continue the hardwork. Gather all the positive factors so that you can live a healthy life inside and out.

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NORML.ORG US CA: Moratorium Extended For A Year, Until October 2011

Daily Headlines

(Source:Visalia Times-Delta)
20 Sep 2010

California
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Visalia City Council members earlier tonight voted, 5-0, to extend for a year a moratorium on medical-marijuana dispensaries in the city.  The moratorium also prohibits "collective or cooperative cultivation and distribution enterprises."

The extension starts Oct.  19 and ends Oct.  18, 2011.  Visalia officials have stopped short of completely shutting down medical-marijuana consumption or private "grows," but has outlawed dispensaries themselves within the city limits of Visalia. 

Proponents of medical marijuana and council members agreed that a vote must be first taken in November on a state ballot measure, Prop.  19, which conditionally legalizes marijuana, before any substantive ordinance on medical marijuana can realistically be crafted for Visalia. 

Terrill Brown, M.D., physician director of Medical Cannabis of Visalia, is a proponent of medical marijuana, but opposes Prop.  19 because there is no provision in the legislation which protects the rights of medicinal marijuana users. 

Brown also said that current city code-enforcement actions in Visalia which have effectively shut down private gardens have prevented medical-marijuana users from growing their own medicine.  Instead, patients are forced to pay high prices, up to $70 for every eighth of an ounce, to dispensaries located outside the Visalia city limits. 

MAP posted-by: Matt

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Steps to Quit Smoking Pot Today

So, who needs to quit marijuana? More people than you may think.

Once relegated to the various American subcultures, marijuana use is now common among all elements of our society. Kids in the suburbs and the cities are using it. Their parents are using it.

Teachers, principles, bosses and government officials are using it. In fact, it ranks behind alcohol and tobacco as the most commonly used controlled substance in America.

Yes, it can be argued that marijuana is less dangerous than other drugs, and no more dangerous than alcohol. But is that really saying much?

How many lives have been ruined by addiction to alcohol?

To be no more dangerous than another dangerous drug is, in fact, admitting that marijuana is, in fact, dangerous. People will need to quit marijuana for the same reasons that people need to quit alcohol. It can be ruining their lives.

 

Many will argue that marijuana is not addictive, and to a certain extent, that is true. There is no specific chemical in the drug that causes the body to form a critical dependency, like the nicotine in cigarettes does. You don't experience the hideous and debilitating withdrawal symptoms that you get with heroin and other opiates.

But additive behavior is not always caused by a specific chemical, but can be the result of a physiological dependency on the overall effect that the drug produces in the mind and the body. People find that they are addicted to marijuana when the try to quit marijuana and fail.

 

People can become dependent on any thing that relieves pain, stress or anxiety. This is particularly true in our stress ridden modern society.

Television, music, web sites, pornography, shopping and gambling do not involve the introduction of chemicals into the system, but addictions to each of these activities is recognized and treated.

But why quit marijuana?

Like the examples above, marijuana use can interfere with your life. When you are using the drug, your body and mind are affected in ways similar to alcohol. Your judgment is impaired, your thought processes altered and your attitude is not conducive to getting things done. This is fine if you are relaxing, but jobs and classes require more on the ball than you tend to have if marijuana is in the picture.

Showing up for school or work under the influence of marijuana is the same as showing up drunk. You are impaired, and your work will show it.

If this is happening to you, you need to quit marijuana. Quitting marijuana, or any addictive substance or behavior, is not easy. Your mental and physical coping methods have adjusted to the stress reliever you have introduced and will not be equipped at first to handle life without it.

You must want to do make the change. You must see that life without marijuana can be better than life with it.

You will also need help. Several programs exist that can assist you quit marijuana. By giving you alternative means to handle stress, accountability and support, they can significantly increase your chances of success.

Don't fool your self that you don't need to quit marijuana because you are the one person out of all the others who can handle it.

It isn't affecting your life. You're just as good on marijuana as others who are straight.

But look at your life.

Are you where you want to be? Need to be?

Can you see yourself still where you are 20, 30, 40 years from now? Have you lost family, friends, jobs, relationships over your marijuana use?

It may be time to quit marijuana.

Peter Hill is an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website with articles, tips, video and stories to help people learn the steps to quit smoking pot, naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site Steps To Quit Smoking Pot.

Quit Smoking Grass Today - Why Marijuana is Harmful and How You Should Stop It

Are you addicted to weed and grass and you want to quit the habit? Though not an easy task but, it is not impossible. Sometimes it happens that you have a dual mind and one part is ready to quit and the other does not. The decision needs to be taken by you and only you will have to take the final call.

According to a recent survey more than 39% of youths aged between 12 to 17 years have tried the puff at least once out of curiosity. The drug is often called by different names. Sometimes we call it Ganja, some times Mary Jane or grass and few of us call it weed or pot. The thing is one and the same. It is a shredded mixture of dried leaves and flowers of Cannabis Sativa plant which is hand rolled like cigarettes or sometimes used in bongs or pipes. The addiction is deadly in terms of your health because it causes lung cancer.

People often ask the question - is smoking marijuana more harmful or smoking cigarettes?

The answer is simple - Both have equally hazardous effects. The only difference is that they affect different parts and functions of a normal body. Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, addiction of nicotine, deposition of tar, etc. Weed smoking deposits thrice as much tar on the lungs as a cigarette, causes several short term side effects which can translate to long term effects such as memory loss, insensitiveness, etc.

These are some of things that you can do to stop smoking pot effectively. Other than these, you can always think up of new ideas in case you fall short. In many cases, smokers develop specific plans to suit their unique life and needs. For example, a woman who smokes only under depressions watches movies which make her laugh, keeps reading jokes, attends laughter club and never fights with anyone. As a result of this, she has managed to cut back on her smoking almost completely.

If you are determined to quit the habit then I will suggest you few basic tips of quitting grass and weed-

Do not listen to Psychedelic or hard rock music or any music which relates to Marijuana.
Try to avoid the company of friends and colleagues who smoke grass.
Never watch movies or shows something about grass, it may be a good movie but still refrain from watching it.
Try watching educational and news channels. A serious mind is a fruitful mind, an empty one is a devil's workshop.
Throw away any ashtrays around the house. All matches and lighters also go away. Put up no smoking signs all over the place. If you do not smoke, ensure that no one around you smokes.
Throw away all your accessories which can remind you about the pot.

Eventually, you will have to come up with your own tailor made ideas to suit your needs. No two smokers quit in the same way so you will have to think and brainstorm and decide, most importantly, that you have to quit smoking pot and marijuana today.

For more articles and resources as to how you can quit smoking effectively, watch videos and get more ideas, visit: http://healthexercisepro.com

How To Stop Marijuana Addiction Positively

Let's face it, people smoke marijuana because it feels good and often because they think it is not a big problem like other harder drugs. Humans are creatures of pleasure and if it did not feel good we would not do it. However there comes a time when the no matter how good it feels it seems like we come back to weed out of habit, it has become the norm and ingrained in our lives so tightly that when we think on how to stop marijuana addiction it up feels painful and negative.

As was mentioned however we seek pleasure and we seek activities and moments that feel good and positive. This means that the negative aspects of quitting something that used to feel so good and are now comfortable and a part of our lives can seriously hamper your attempts to give up on the drug. There feels like there is no reward and only pain when giving up an addiction and a psychological addiction like pot is driven by the reward of the high. So to really be able to quit smoking marijuana you must find a way to be positive about the process and stay positive throughout the period no matter what happens!

It may be easy to start being positive and it is a good first step. You must first realize what benefits quitting will have from better health, more time, more money to spend and the feeling that you control your own life instead of it being dominated by a substance. The boost in self esteem you will get by quitting can be amazing and all the other benefits can seem obvious and this is what drives many to start on the path to being free of the drugs.

It is only later it can really get hard to remain focused as you feel unrewarded and are dying to get high again. While it may sound trite to say remain positive it must be said but here are some tips to help you stay up and remain on track.

Write down positive notes

Remember all those good things you thought would be yours after you were clean? By now they might be a bit dimmed but it does not mean they are not real achievable targets. Write down all the positive things that will come at the end of your journey and keep them in sight somewhere you will continually view them. While you are at it write down every positive thing that happens because you are not smoking.


Build on your success

Focus on your victories and successes rather than any failures of weaknesses you may have during this period. While it will not change reality like some proponents of positive thinking will have you believe it keeps you from falling into negative thoughts which then lead you to seek short term relief such as drugs. By staying positives however you will avoid this trap and give yourself a better chance at quitting.

Staying positive is the key for how to stop marijuana addiction or any addiction for that matter and will help you in all parts of your life. I hope these tips can help you on your effort to quit.

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Quit Smoking Marijuana - What Are Your Options For Recovery?

Smoking marijuana is a growing problem across the world. As the cost continues to come down, more and more people in all walks of life are turning to the "evil weed". If you are fed up of being addicted to "pot", there are many options out there that will help you to try and quit smoking marijuana.

Whilst marijuana is addictive, it is the lesser of the evils when compared to other drugs such as heroine. However, as it is most often mixed with tobacco and smoked, it can be extremely habit forming.

The effects of marijuana vary significantly from person to person. For the lucky few, they actively do not like the drug. For many, it relaxes them and lightens the mood, often resulting in a fit of the "giggles". For some, it transports them to a relaxed place where the responsibilities of life simply ebb away.

What causes people to form a habit can also vary. Whether it is due to peer pressure, boredom, or simply to try something new. For those who form a daily habit, the effects can be disastrous; resulting in apathy, lack of ambition and an eventual lack of respect for the user.

If you are not happy with facing your problems in public, there are many online sources or books available. These are the least effective ways to quit smoking marijuana. Whilst will power and a self determination are required, having a support network is vital.

There are many trained counselors that can help. Available through your doctor, you are able to have one to one or group sessions. Many also incorporate meditation sessions, to help focus the mind on more positive thoughts.

More physical techniques are also very effective. Amongst these is yoga. Working much the same way as meditation, but also helping with breathing, this is a method that enjoys much respect across the world.

Peter Hill is an author and expert on helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website with articles, video's, ebooks and Quit Smoking Marijuana Tips. For all this and more, be sure to check out his web site Quit Smoking Marijuana

Commit - Stop Smoking Weed

Deciding to stop smoking weed can be a life changing experience. Smoking pot starts to run your life and it can sometimes feel that there is no possible way to quit altogether. Although it can seem hopeless it is possible to quit smoking weed. The process of cutting marijuana out of your life is a long process but in order to succeed you have to be 100% committed to becoming clean.

While there are thousands of people that have tried to quit only a small percentage actually stay weed free. The majority of marijuana smokers do not believe they are addicted to the drug and can quit whenever they want which makes it harder to quit. What must be understood is that marijuana is an addictive drug and is very difficult to stop. The long term pot smoker will have problems sleeping and going about their everyday lives you have to be prepared.

If you have made the decision to stop smoking weed prepare yourself for the mental withdrawal that will follow. If you prepare yourself for the sudden lifestyle change you will be more likely to succeed. When you smoke marijuana you are given a "high" feeling and that is what you are addicted to. Smokers are more addicted to the feeling that they feel than the actual marijuana. Weed begins to grab a hold of you in a psychological way and that is what makes quitting so difficult to do. Your brain will crave that high when you stop so you have to be ready.

When you smoke marijuana you lose the ambition to succeed and can also lose the need to socialize. Ones work life can suffer tremendously when on weed. Those who are addicted begin to smoke before work and sometimes even during work hours. Showing up to work stoned will get you fired fast and if caught you will build a reputation of using drugs. Friends and family also begin to fade when you are on weed. Smoking weed takes priority over everything so family obligations are put on the side burner and friends who don't smoke weed are no longer around. Once you quit you will have more energy and will begin to rebuild the relationships that have suffered because of your abuse of marijuana.

The mental withdrawal that weed smokers experience can be difficult to push through but once you get passed this step everything else that follows will be much easier to get through. Although quitting weed is difficult it can be done and the benefits of quitting will be well worth the process. You can get your life back and start living. No more spending every cent on pot, no more revolving your life to accommodate an illegal habit. Stop smoking weed now!

Many people want to stop smoking weed but are not aware of what the process involves. Visit http://tostopsmokingweed.blogspot.com to find great tips and guidelines when going through this process.

Quit Smoking Pot Today! I Discovered a Way to Quit and Manage the Psychological Side Effects Easily

Enjoy Life...Not High

Imagine living everyday to the fullest without a cloud always around your head. After you quit smoking pot few months you will look back and not recognize the person you used to be.

Marijuana is the most used illicit drug in the United States. I recently learned that in 2005 nearly 300,000 people signed themselves into rehab to quit smoking weed. Let's face it most of us are either smokers or ex-smokers. Of course there are a few who have never even tried pot, my thoughts, most did but refuse to admit it.

Either way at some point it becomes too much of a burden on your physical, mental and even psychological thought process to continue. Its time to quit!!!

Now for all those who say smoking pot is not addictive beware, yes physically it is not an addictive drug, however anyone who has ever tried to quit before knows there are serious withdrawal symptoms that can occur. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, mood changes, feeling irritable, loss of appetite and changes in sleep patterns among others. Most of these symptoms are due to changes in brain activity and nerve cell neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are key to motivation, positive feelings, proper thought processing and memory. Not to mention trying to sleep!

So how exactly do you quit and control your emotional relationship to your old friend mary jane?

First you must decide its finally time to quit and get your butt in gear. I smoked for years and there is no doubt in my mind that I missed a lot of opportunities and disregarded many an important occasion, date, etc. just to stay home and get high. You need to decide to quit today. Then you need a support system to help you through the process of actually quitting and dealing with the consequences. For me I just could not deal at first. Then a friend of mine happened to mention he had a friend that had been in the process of developing a dietary supplement to help people quit smoking pot. He said I could try it for free and see if it helped at all. Let me just tell you this guy had it pegged. Not only was I able to quit, I had very little withdrawal symptoms at all. Now I had already tried the e-books and audio programs out there and while they were very informative and helpful, this really worked for me and maybe it can work for you too.

All I can say is its worth a look. If you are trying to quit and struggling this may be just what you have been waiting for. For now I thought I just had to tell somebody how well this has worked for me.

Authored by Jim Cipriano. I did it and you can too! For more info check out this website. http://www.maritox.com.

Marijuana Addiction Kills Just One More

A male cyclist was run down and killed by an escaped prisoner in a stolen van. The escaped prisoner was smoking marijuana. If this wasn't bad enough, we find out that the poor man was eagerly looking forward to the birth of his second child.

Cobbler Naqibullah Aman, 25, died instantly when he was hit at 60mph by Malachi Adam-Smith, 20, who had been smoking a form of marijuana, called skunk cannabis. He hit several vehicles and almost knocked down a group of children before the fatal crash.

Mr Aman, an Afghan refugee living in Hounslow, London, was cycling home from work when the van ploughed into him from behind. He didn't stand a chance and he was another silent victim of the 'hidden killer', marijuana.

The dead man's family told the Old Bailey Court in London in a statement that he had been due to become a father again.

Adam-Smith, of Islington, London, absconded from police at a mental health facility last April after being arrested for an assault on his girlfriend.

Just a few hours later, he stole the van and began driving while high on marijuana.

The court heard how Adam-Smith, driving whilst smoking marijuana, was responsible for more than a dozen damaged vehicles and narrowly missed children and bus passengers as he mounted the sidewalk at more than 40mph.

He then mowed down Mr Aman.

Despite the fatal collision, Adam-Smith did not stop, dragging the cycle under his van. He collided with two more cars as police gave chase. He eventually got stuck in traffic, but police had to break the vehicles windows as the marijuana induced criminal refused to get out.

Adam-Smith denied murder but admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility because of psychosis caused by marijuana.

Judge Steven Kramer QC adjourned sentencing for psychiatric reports but he warned Adam-Smith: "The likelihood is that you will be facing substantial imprisonment."

Yet again a simple smoke of marijuana has ruined the lives of at least two families.

Yet again, peoples lives are completely overshadowed by marijuana. And it is all so unnecessary.

If you smoke marijuana, cannabis, skunk, MJ, pot or whatever you call it - please don't think you are being judged or you are on your own. For advice on how to quit smoking pot, please visit our help site.

Francis Taylor, ex marijuana addict, is creator of the unique How To Stop Smoking Marijuana Program. He has helped thousands of people, young and old to quit marijuana - for good.

For more information on how to quit marijuana, please go to http://www.howtostopsmokingmarijuana.com, e-mail: support@howtostopsmokingmarijuana.com

How to Quit Marijuana - Simple Steps You Can Use to Quit Smoking Marijuana Today

Marijuana is a common drug used extensively in both the Americas and Europe. While widely regulated against by law, it is probably the most commonly used 'illicit drug' in the Western World (Next to underage use of alcohol.)

Many people are more interested in how to get marijuana than how to quit marijuana.

Most people who have experimented with drugs report having used marijuana, as it is considered by many to be a relatively harmless drug, at least when compared to the likes of heroin, crack, speed and LSD.

There are a number of controversies surrounding this naturally occurring psychotropic substance:

Is it addictive, and if so, how addictive is it?

Unlike nicotine, crack, and caffeine, where chemical dependence can be realized with very low exposure to the active chemicals, most drug enforcement and treatment organizations list marijuana in the top ten to twenty lists of addictive substances.

The battle over the addictive properties of marijuana rage on between opponents and proponents of this drug. Most agree that the addiction results from an acquired dependency to the brain chemical changes produced by marijuana rather than a physical dependency to any chemical in the plant itself.

Those arguing against the addictive classification of this drug site that many people have had little trouble quitting, even after years of heavy use.

However, since many who want to give up marijuana use need help to find out out how to quit marijuana, it is clear that, like alcohol, marijuana can lead to dependency in at least some people.

What are the symptoms of marijuana abuse and addiction?

Much like alcohol, marijuana is a recreation drug used for the euphoric high it produces in the user. Users describe a wide range of emotional reactions including:

Peace and a sense of well being.
Confidence.
Relaxation and a release from stress and tension.
Giddiness and happiness.

All well and good, but like any artificially induced emotional state, it comes at a price.

When the effect wears off, there is the resulting crash. While it does not carry the baggage of the alcohol induced hangover, the empty feeling after coming off of marijuana use is one of the reasons many give for wanting to quit.

While under the influence of marijuana, your judgment and reactions are impaired, as well as your ability to make rational decisions.

While it can (and is) argued that occasional marijuana use causes not more harm than social drinking of alcohol, this drug does have significant effects on several centers of the brain controlling speech, memory and cognition. Long term use can produce symptoms including:

Loss of ambition and focus.
Difficulty remembering facts and events clearly.
Emotional issues, including depression.
Anxiety and even paranoia.
Obsession with and obsessive need for the drug.

The point is, people get to the point where they want to give it up. Their life is not what they want it to be, and marijuana use is one of the reasons why. They want to know how to quit marijuana.

Fortunately, since marijuana does not contain any physically addictive compounds like nicotine and caffeine, you don't have to go through the direct physical withdrawal symptoms.

However, the secondary addictive effects are still a difficult hurdle to face.

Once you quit, the centers of your brain that are accustomed to processing the mood changing elements in marijuana can react with chemical changes of their own. These can produce anxiety, obsessive thoughts about marijuana and a strong desire to continue your habit.

This can be difficult, but far from impossible.

Some tips on how to quit marijuana:

First, admit that you have an addiction. This first step is common to all behavioral change programs. People with alcohol, gambling, eating and shopping issues all had to confess, at least to themselves, that they have a problem. Without this first step, the rest of the plan will almost surely fail.
Admit to someone else that you have an addiction. Man has been described as the only rational animal, but it is often more accurate to say he is a 'rationalizing animal'. Our highly adaptive natures which have allowed us to conquer and thrive in hostile and uncooperative environments can also work against us, making us think that what is bad for us is really not so bad.
By sharing your load with someone you trust, you can get regular doses of 'reality checks' that can remind you of why you wanted to quit in the first place.
Change your lifestyle. Recovering alcoholics stop going to bars, gamblers with problems stop going to Vegas, and you will need to avoid the places (and people) associated with marijuana use.
Get some exercise. Not only will it improve your general health, it will it use up time during the day that could otherwise be spent using marijuana. In addition, exercise produces it's own chemical changes in the brain and body which can substitute for those you are missing. It also reduces the stress that contributed to marijuana use in the first place.
Get involved. Keep your mind active. Read, write, take classes, expand your horizons.
Keep a journal. Record your feelings about why you want to quit and what you want to be when you are done. Re-read your entries from time to time to keep up your resolve.
If you have a faith based or spiritual outlook, do not ignore it. Many of the organizations dedicated to changing negative behavior consider the help of a higher power or the spiritual aspect of your being to be essential to ultimate success.

Peter Hill is an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site Quit Marijuana Now at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

Smoking Marijuana and Using Positive Affirmations

The power of the mind is extraordinary and smoking weed can have significant long term affects to your mind. I believe it is like anything, if you use it too much it has the potential to damage your body, if you can learn to control yourself then you shouldn't have a problem.

If you are like many thousands and thousands of people out there who have a hard time to stop smoking weed (marijuana) then you may have just stumbled across one of the best free methods to give up your cannabis addiction once and for good.

What is an affirmation? An affirmation is a positive statement that is written in present tense and not in the future or in the past. Affirmations have proven to be miraculous and can do wonders for your life. You can use affirmations to reprogram any area of your life that you feel needs improvement and especially marijuana abuse.

By repeating a positive affirmation over and over again we are creating new pathways in our brains which will eventually form to create a new belief system if repeated often enough. Which in turn leads to a cannabis free lifestyle. The advantage in doing this is that even if we do not believe something to be true we can reprogram ourselves to believe what we desire to be true. It's similar to programming your mind or brain washing yourself. This brain washing has already occurred in your life and we can program you with different beliefs in the exact same method as this previous programming made its way into your brain in the first place. Repetition! How do you think weed (marijuana) became part of your life in the first place? Repetition of course.

How can affirmations help the weed smoker then? You smoke because you have created an addiction to cannabis which is a feeling. This feeling can be undone by using affirmations. I encourage you to use affirmations as often as possible and repeat statements to yourself over and over again. Remember, when using affirmations you must only repeat what you desire and not more of what you don't want. So you should say "I am healthy" instead of "I don't smoke marijuana". When you use the word "weed", "cannabis" or "marijuana" in your affirmations, your mind will hear that word "marijuana" and start to attract more of it. So make sure you ONLY use the words that are describing what you desire.

Here are some affirmations you can use to help you give up cannabis;

- I do not smoke. My lungs are strong and healthy. I am able to breathe deeply and fully.

- Taking care of myself physically is important to me. I like keeping myself fit and feeling good.

- I am a non-smoker - and I am proud of myself.

- I have more energy and stamina than ever before. I enjoy life and I'm glad to be here.

- When I see a cigarette or a joint, or even think of one, I automatically hear the words "I do not smoke" - and I don't!

- I really enjoy breathing clean, fresh air, being healthy and being in complete control of my body and my mind.

Remember if you desire to cannabis free, then you can be using affirmations! Stop your chronic marijuana habit today and try it out. Repeat the affirmations above every morning and night for a minimum of 30 days. I guarantee you will no longer desire marijuana.

I wish you great success and a happy cannabis free lifestyle.

The Cannabis Coach provides an interactive complete marijuana stop-smoking system to guide you through your mental and physical cravings from your quit date on to smoke-free status. Get your life back on track and start saving money! http://www.cannabiscoach.com

How to Stop Smoking Pot - Marijuana & the Brain

When you embark on your search to learn how to stop smoking pot one of the things that you must be keen to understand is how marijuana affects the brain and how this in turn affects your addiction and your choices surrounding smoking and quitting.

Marijuana has a chemical component called THC which most pot smokers know of. It is this chemical that causes the feelings of a high that can mellow you out and can also cause paranoia and panic in some users also. It is the chemical that you are etste3d for in a drug test also. THC in marijuana however is NOT addictive like nicotine from cigarettes are or others chemicals from harder drugs.

So how do people become addicted to a non-addictive substance then?

When we do any activity that causes a high of some sorts we stimulate the reward center of our brain which controls what we believe is rewarding and fulfilling. Over a long period of time smoking marijuana often we become wired to treat marijuana as a needed 'reward' so when you feel down it will be the first thing you think of to get you out of a funk. It also becomes habitual just as other rewarding acts become in people's lives.

So what happens when you try to quit smoking Pot?

Without this reward you will feel something is missing and you get a mental if not a physical craving for marijuana; you want it but you do not NEED it. This does not mean you are weak willed but it can often be confusing when you consciously know pot is not good for you anymore but you feel that without it you might be even worse off.

To this effect you must 'rewire' your brain to realize that you can be rewarded and fulfilled through other things. Exercise, hobbies, social interaction and many other things can replace this nagging voice that keeps telling you to smoke pot. This is a major part in plotting out your plan to stop smoking weed.

For more information on How to Stop Smoking Pot click below for a review of a guide by an ex-addict who knows what you are going through and exactly how to beat it.

Cannabis Coach Review

Marijuana - Parents, Be Afraid - What You Need to Know

A lot of us may have smoked a little pot in years past and never had much of a problem with it. We don't want to see our kids using any type of drug, but if it was only marijuana, at least internally, we'd be relieved.

After all, what's the harm?

Unfortunately, time marches on, and since we used marijuana as kids, the bud has changed somewhat. Marijuana is as much as ten times stronger than it was in decades past, and with increased strength comes increased addiction, social problems and mental and physical harms. The marijuana of 20 years ago bears little resemblance to what's circulating in schoolyards today, and once you get into today's marijuana can have a lot of trouble getting out.

There are currently more teens in drug programs in America for marijuana addiction than for any other form of drug.

The Harms

Addiction

Marijuana is now addictive, has a syndrome of detox, and an awful lot of people who might otherwise like to stop or at least cut back their consumption find that they can't

The detox symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include insomnia, headaches, irritability, nausea, lethargy and a lack of appetite, and they are combined with some pretty serious cravings to use. It's not a heroin detox, but it's pretty tough, pretty uncomfortable, and the cravings are enough to stop most who try on their own before they make it out of the first week.

Cognitive declines

Marijuana makes you dumb; not forever, but for about 24 hours after you smoke you show significant declines in concentration performance, verbal and mathematical reasoning and in general memory abilities.

Obviously for kids whose main job is the learning they'll need for a successful future, anything that lowers their mental performance significantly is pretty problematic. Especially so as since marijuana is so addictive many people who begin as occasional users become daily smokers, and essentially exist perpetually under the negative influence of their abuse.

A lack of initiative

It's sad but true, while you're high, your main ambition in life seems to be to sit on the couch, eating snacks and playing video games. Not exactly the path to success in life.

Psychiatric conditions

The more kids smoke and the earlier they start, the greater the probability that they will experience depression or even psychosis later in life. Marijuana is not what it was, and the long term influence of today's powerfully psychotropic marijuana can be profound, and tragic.

Cancer

While it's not something that living in the present teens think about too much, marijuana smoke is carcinogenic, and smoking marijuana exposes you to a lot of the same health risks as does smoking cigarettes.

Take it seriously

Marijuana is not meth, and it's true that your kids could be doing far more dangerous things than smoking a joint; but marijuana is harmful, it can derail otherwise promising futures, it does carry some pretty significant health risks and you need to take it seriously.

Marijuana is not what it was.

Keep your kids safe from marijuana:

http://www.choosehelp.com/addiction-treatment/marijuana-addiction-treatment

Or read the daily blog entry at http://www.troubleblog.com/category/god/

The Secrets of Quitting Marijuana: Even If Everyone Around You Is Still Smoking

Many people reach a point in life where its time to quit smoking cannabis. One of the most common challenges for people today is quitting pot while they still have friends or family who continue to smoke around them. From breaking the cycle, to acknowledging that only you can do this, talking with the people in your life, laying down ground rules and spending time with your friends and not smoking. This article will discuss the basics of quitting marijuana naturally and easily while still being around all your friends who still smoke.

The best way to be successful at quitting weed is to break the habits of taking breaks to smoke with friends. The challenge with this is that people experience a withdrawal from their friends and marijuana buddies. So if you are going to quit, you will have to take time to remove yourself from the places where cannabis is smoked. Just remember that just because you have made the decision to quit pot doesn't mean that you have to stop seeing your friends for good. It just means that you will have to do some things that will change the relationship dynamics.

The first step will be in realizing that nobody cares about whether you quit marijuana now or not expect for you. You will be alone in your journey to quit, and the solitude may be tough at first but will easier with practice. The reason alcoholics and weed smokers stick together is so that nobody quits. Become a leader for yourself and others and take control of your life. Otherwise you will be a follower and it will be your friends who shape your destiny.

The way to take control is to talk to the cannabis smokers in your life and discuss your decision. You want to make your friends commit to helping you, you want them to know that quitting marijuana is very important to you and that you want them to promise that they help you quit. You should also mention to them that you do not expect them to quit just because of you, but that you do expect them to put the pressure on you to stick with your plan. Quitting will always be a personal decision, and no one can do it for you. This is first most important step.

Next you need to lay down some ground rules with all the people in your life regarding this issue. Make it very clear and simple that you are counting on them to cooperate and help you quit. Tell them where they can smoke when they want to but be sure to have something that you can have to distract your own attention. Even something as simple as making a phone call, or playing a video game instead of smoking will work wonders.

The reason you will need something to distract your self is that most friendships will naturally involve being together and smoke marijuana together. Get used to going out to the bars, or to parties and not smoking cannabis. Each time you go out, and hang out with your friends without smoking you will reinforce that behavior until it is automatic. This way you will naturally quit without any stress, strain or confusion.

It is definitely a great thing when you have quit smoking marijuana for good, and still have all your old friends be supportive of you. If you can just remember to continually break your old pattern of smoking, take responsibility and become a leader, tell people about your decision to quit and lay down your ground rules, accustom yourself to going out with and spending time with your friends. This way you can quit pot even while everyone else still smokes, and keep your friends that you care about while settings a great example of self control.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

Quit Marijuana With The Ultimate Success Formula

There are many ways to go about changing the way you live your life and making the adjustment to quit marijuana. One method of personal transformation that has been exceptional well received by the personal development community is a simple system known as the ultimate success formula. From making a clear decision about exactly what you want, taking massive action towards your chosen goal of quitting marijuana, noticing if you have been effective or not, and changing your approach as needed to eventually and predictably obtain what you want. This article will introduce to ultimate success formula within the context of quitting pot for good.

How Do You Want Things To Be Once You Have Successfully Quit Marijuana

One of the most critical moments for someone who wishes to quit cannabis is deciding exactly what they want for themselves. Being clear about your goal, and having a specific outcome is so important. Do you want to quit marijuana completely or have the self control to only smoke with friends. Do you want to be able to feel comfortable with people smoking weed around you or do you want to remove it from your life completely. When you make your decision, write it down in a clear simple statement of purpose. Clearly the first step is knowing what you want, the next step is making things the way you want them.

Take Action And Do Everything In Your Power

There are a series of steps you will begin to take as you follow your plan to quit pot and they are always specific to each person. The best way to get started is by making a list of all the things you will do, and beginning at once (whether you are entirely ready or not) to carry out the actions you have written down. For many people it starts with throwing out all the marijuana paraphernalia, throwing out lighters, ash treys and getting rid of your stash. Another thing that might be included on the list would be calling up your friends you smoke pot with and telling them that you are making the decision to quit. Many people also find it helpful to commit to a number of people they are close with and agree to pay them a $20 bill if you turn back on your plan. Since you don't want to be paying someone just so they can tell you your an idiot, there is a high probability that you will follow through in the end. But even after taking massive action towards the goal of quitting pot, many people worry about not being successful.

Notice What Is And Isn't Working

Often times people plan to quit marijuana only to find that there are obstacles in the way. As you go about your daily routine it isn't uncommon to find that certain people or things will trigger the desire to smoke pot. The best way to be ultimately successful is to notice how you are responding to things once you have quit and take inventory of what is working and what isn't. Often times people find that throwing away all of their cannabis related items helps them quit at home, but find that when out with friends they still crave a joint. You may find that you want to write down what is working and what is not working. This way you can proceed to change your approach.

Change Your Approach

Part of effectively using the ultimate success formula is being able to notice what isn't working and changing your approach in order to respond to the feedback you are getting. For example if you find that you are spending time with people you ordinarily wouldn't spend time with just to get high again, then you can be sure that changing who you spend time with is a decision you need to make. For other people it may be that they stay off weed for some time only to smoke when they are drunk at a party. Whatever the situation that brings about a relapse, be sure that you just need to change your approach and move on. It may even seem completely obvious, but it is a necessary step in order to be successful.

Since 80% of quitting marijuana is simply a psychological challenge, use your intelligent brain to overcome your old habits. Become crystal clear about what you want and how you want to be when you quit pot, take massive action towards your goal, notice what isn't working and change your approach until you are free. Once you have successfully used the formula to quit weed, you can use it for anything else. Use it with my blessing. The sky is the limit.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

How to Stop Smoking Weed - Addiction Triggers

How to stop smoking weed can be a simple thing for some people and a terribly difficult thing for others. This is partly due to genetics, partly from personal choices and mostly to do with an understanding of yourself more than the drug itself.

One factor that can be a big stumbling block for many addicted to marijuana is that they do not really understand what a trigger is, what they are for their own addiction and how to over come them.

What is a trigger?

A trigger is an action or event that affects you consciously or subconsciously that sets of a craving to smoke marijuana. While some may be obvious like a friend offering you a smoke there are many that are less conspicuous and takes a bit of self psychoanalyzing to get to the heart of the matter.

What sort of triggers are there?

Some common triggers include stress, depression, lack of direction and other broad kind of areas but his is often quite obvious. The trick is to understand them more specifically. For instance one trigger might be that you have always smoked when you return home from work, just because you decide to quit does not mean that trigger goes away. Just that time of day may set of a response in your mind to seek out this habitual ritual. Another trigger might be if you have issues with confrontation and every time you have a bad day at work or get into an argument with your spouse or something that anxiety is washed away by smoking pot usually. When you quit your issues with confrontation do not go away but your crutch is no longer there.

What does knowing your triggers mean for you.

Having an in depth understanding of your cannabis smoking triggers means that you can develop a PLAN to overcome each of these situations. If you are prepared for a trigger you can have a set plan of action you can leap into when it happens. If you have a bad day at work ALWAYS go for a run for instance, the high of exercise due to endorphins can actually help. If you have confrontation problems work on them and make sure when they happen you have a way of coping that is not marijuana. The more informed and prepared you are the less likely you are to relapse when your brain screams at you for the comfort of marijuana.

For more information on How to Stop Smoking Weed click below for a review of a guide by an ex-addict who knows what you are going through and exactly how to beat it.

Cannabis Coach Review

Pot Addiction, Is It Really A Big Deal?

Other than alcohol, Marijuana is the foremost leading drug that opens avenues to other addictions. Analysts consider Marijuana a "gateway" drug. Many drug addicts, when honestly analyzing their past, are able to see where early experimentation with Marijuana eventually led to more harmful drugs like cocaine, heroin and other hardcore addictions.

But what about the "pot-head", the individual that doesn't use or has never used other hardcore drugs, rarely drinks or not at all, but only smokes pot everyday or every other day? Does this sound like you? Maybe you have done this most of your life and have had very few negative side affects. Maybe you've never lost a job because of your usage. Maybe you've never been arrested for drugs and maybe have never really been in trouble with the law at all. You just like to enjoy a joint or two after a hard days work. You deserve it. Some people drink but you just smoke weed. Where's the harm, right?

As with any other addictions, these are some of the many justifications drug addicts will use to minimize the grim reality that they have a serious problem. Have you ever used the excuses above or ones like them? If you smoke pot, do you sometimes find it hard to keep track of time? Have you noticed any change in your short-term memory? What about performing tasks requiring concentration, like driving, swimming, playing sports, reading and writing? Or do you tell yourself that you do these things "better" under the influence of Marijuana? Do you ever find yourself getting paranoid? Have you ever been so high that you had hallucinations or visions of things not really there?

Marijuana addiction can lead you, if it hasn't already, into many unfavorable destinations. It is illegal and getting busted with pot, or being under the influence of it, can send you to jail and mark you as a convicted felon for the rest of your life. It can lower your body's ability to fight disease. The tar levels in Marijuana exceed that in cigarettes and extended use can cause lung cancer. You may have already experienced the undependable and irresponsible behavior associated with pot use. You may have difficulty learning and making wise decisions. You may feel like you've lost some of the physical and mental motivation that you once had. Maybe getting high just isn't working for you like it used to but you just don't know how to stop.

Marijuana is one of the few street drugs that stay in the body for an extended amount of time. A 28 day treatment program will help you expel the drug from your system while giving you a chance to clear your head. Going from a constant foggy state of mind to a clear one won't happen overnight, but as the drug leaves your system, you will feel better, look and be more coherent and regain your ability to be the person you once were.

For more information on alcohol and drug addiction, please visit: Alcohol and Drug Rehab. For information on intervention, please visit: Intervention. For testamonials on how rehab worked for them, please visit: Testamonials.

Patrick McLemore has been a recovering alcoholic and drug addict since June 6, 2005. Patrick widely known as an expert in the field of addictions, he has not only studied the topic extensively, but has lived it. Patrick has worked with the Manor House Recovery Center for over two years. During that time he has been instrumental in the recovery and continued sobriety of numerous recovering alcoholic and drug addicts.

How to Quit Smoking Pot - Building a Plan

How to quit smoking pot is not something to take lightly if you are addicted to marijuana. Many people can kick the habit quite easily but other struggle again and again quitting then relapsing over and again as only an addict can. This does not mean you are weak willed or incompetent but often it does mean you embarked on this journey full of passion but without a plan.

A plan does not need to be overly complicated, in fact a simple plan is often better than something convoluted. What the point of it is to order yourself into a routine that will overcome the problems you have faced quitting. It also means having action plans to put into effect if you are tempted with cravings from some addiction trigger that may waylay you.

So a skeleton outline might be:


Set a quit date.
Throw out all remaining pot (do not smoke it!)
Get rid of all weed paraphernalia (bongs etc)
Exercise every day at least 30 minutes
Reward self with something nice and non drug related each week of being weed free
etc...

Action plans


If tempted immediately call family for a chat
If tempted get out of the house straight away
If tempted take out list of reasons to quit and read

This may seem very simplistic but you will be amazed at how writing these things down and having them clear in your mind at all times will help along with your own willpower. How to quit smoking pot will be an easy question to answer once your framework is up and you feel more confident that those plans on paper will not be confused like what happens in your mind when you start craving for weed.

For more information on How to Quit Smoking Pot click below for a review of a guide by an ex-addict who knows what you are going through and exactly how to beat it.

Cannabis Coach Review

Marijuana Drug Slang Every Parent Should Know

As a parent, one of the most difficult aspects of raising a teenager is to help your child fight the urge use alcohol and drugs. Educating yourself regarding the drug slang of marijuana, the most widely abused illicit substance, is an essential step in determining if your teen is smoking the drug and then begin home drug testing to stop the problem before it develops into a habit. Each new generation of young people develop new slang terms for the multitude of drugs that they have access to and it is important to stay on the top of the ever changing terminology.

The Most Commonly Used Marijuana Slang

Marijuana itself is known by many different names depending upon the region of the country, potency of the marijuana, color and other subtle differences in the plant which acts a secret code to determine what a user is offering or purchasing. The slang terms include "pot," "weed," "herb," "bud," "chronic," "ganja," "hash," "trees," and "dank." A bag of marijuana is referred to as a "sack" or "bag" and will often times be described and called upon based upon the weight of the marijuana like "quad" or "eighth" (which means a quarter of an ounce and an eighth, respectively). The utensils and tools used to smoke marijuana have their own abundance of slang terms including "bong," "pipe," "piece," "blunt," and "joint." Learning the various definitions and meanings of the slang terms for marijuana will empower you as a parent to take preemptive steps in order to prevent marijuana usage in your own home.

Coded and Subtle Differences

The common slang terms of weed and pot are interchangeable when referring to any marijuana in general but certain coded vernacular refers specifically to the potency of the drug. The word "chronic" is known throughout the drug circles as the term for the strongest, most powerful strains of marijuana. Grown indoors or hydroponically, "chronic" maximizes THC content producing super potent pot. On the other end of the spectrum, the slang word "schwag" or "brick" is generally used to describe inexpensive, low quality marijuana which is usually grown outdoors in bulk fields under inferior conditions. The slang "brick" refers to the packaging and pressing method used by many drug cartels to literally smash together and form bricks of the marijuana. Understanding the subtle differences between these marijuana drug slang terms can help you as a parent gain a stronger understanding of which type of pot and how much of it your child may be using.

Terminology of Smoking Utensils

A teenager who has been using and ultimately abusing marijuana will inevitably begin experimentation with the plethora of different tools which can be used to smoke the drug and understanding the different slang terms can help you determine how your child is ingesting the pot. The most commonly used item to smoke marijuana is a simple metal or glass pipe through which the substance is smoked through and inhaled. General slang for pipes include "bubbler," "piece," "hammer," "one hitter," and "tools." More advanced or adventurous smokers use a water pipe, universally referred to as a "bong." Simple hand rolled marijuana cigarettes are called "joints" (often rolled using a common cigarette paper called "zig zags") while a marijuana cigar is known as a "blunt" and is often filled with super potent "chronic."

Dealing and Distribution Slang

Unfortunately, marijuana abuse can lead many teenagers to sell the drug in order to support their habit. There are important slang terms solely related to dealing and distributing the pot. In order to weigh and break up the marijuana, a person needs a scale. The three most commonly used scales are called "hand scales" for the simplicity and ease of use when in someone's hand, a "digi" because it is a digital scale, and a "tri-beam" which refers to a triple beam balance (think like a high school chemistry set). The price and bag sizes of marijuana are based upon the weight, so pay close attention for slang terms like "eighth," "zip (ounce)" or "QP" (quarter pound).

By combining your knowledge of the slang terms for marijuana, the tools used to smoke the drug, the terms used in its distribution, and simple home drug testing kits you can be assured as a parent that you are doing everything possible to keep your family drug free.

Frank Shepard is an institutional leader on home drug tests and a valuable source of information about marijuana drug testing.

Marijuana Justification

Spoke to a young pot smoker today who had everything so well explained that even I was almost convinced it would be okay for him to keep smoking pot!

Funny thing is, he had gone online and found two or three of these websites that speak at length about the glories of getting high and how all reality is subjective anyway and who is to say that being sober is that much better than staying stoned out of your gourd anyway!?

I realized after a short while that he had a whole list of reasons for toking up and I could talk to him for an hour and he would not run out.They all sounded very learned and well researched. But it was obvious that these positives were very hand-picked. Any research that turned up with the negative was simply not included in the "studies".

I just pumped him for all the justifications he had. He went on and on and when he began to slow down I prodded him again until he ran out of the wondrous benefits to smoking weed, it didn't take long; and I saw that most of the reasons did not even concern smoking marijuana, they had to do with the textile uses of the hemp plant.

He was a bright kid and had definitely done had his homework. But the research was so one-sided that it was visible to him too, in the end, that there might be more on the subject worth looking into.

I had noticed this young man during my talk to the class and even though I could see the pot-head attitude in his face, there was not that dullness that comes with chronic use. Not yet, anyway. So would this kid need to attend some detox rehab program? Not yet, anyway.

Hopefully, though, he will use some of those apparent talents to look a little further into the subject before he reaches "Perma-Fade."

Tony Bylsma CCDC, is a rehabilitation counselor and drug prevention speaker in Los Angeles

http://www.detoxrehab.org http://www.TheRoadOut.org

And That's My Take (Legalizing Pot a Civil Rights Issue?)

Proposition 19 in California is on the ballot for a November vote. If approved, this initiative would permit the recreational use of marijuana in the Golden State. Chances are reasonable that voter turnout will be significant, but to suggest that legalizing pot is a civil rights issue seems to be a slap in the face to those who have suffered, struggled, and won hard fought advances for equality and freedom from persecution.

So who is endorsing Proposition 19 as a civil rights issue? Shockingly, it is an organization that has been one of the leaders in the civil rights movement in the United States, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

A collection of strange bedfellows support the legalization of marijuana. Among them are the 'pot heads', those who just want to get high and enjoy a doobie or two a day. There is a segment of the medical community who recognize the benefits of medical marijuana for patients suffering certain afflictions. An association of law enforcement and legal professionals known as LEAP (www.leap.cc) Law Enforcement Against Prohibition supports drug legalization in general. And if you do not personally support legalizing marijuana, chances are better than average that your neighbor does. But one would have been hard pressed to think that any civil rights organization would want to jump in to such a spirited debate as this.

Has the NAACP run out of civil rights battles?

The NAACP claims African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the criminalization of marijuana and for this reason, makes Proposition 19 a civil rights issue. Supposing their claim is accurate, there could be several possible reasons why this would be true. But, a civil rights issue? Come on.

Various legislation enacted in California tends to lead other states into similar discussion and debate, so this November will be instrumental in influencing sister states to consider legalizing pot. That is good news for both sides of the equation. Healthy debate is exactly what is needed to weed through this tangled issue (celebrate the pun folks).

Perhaps in a few years, we will see an entire country where recreational use of marijuana is permitted, controlled and taxed just as alcohol consumption is. It is, however, misleading and misguided to debase civil rights progress by committing its precious resources to fight for legalized pot. Shame on you NAACP.

And that's my take.

AND THAT'S MY TAKE... (LEGALIZING POT A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE?)

? 2010 by Curtis Sagmeister. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author
Curtis Sagmeister is self-described as a Photographer, Author, Poet, Songwriter, Student of Human Behavior, Community Activist, Social Commentator, Environmental Steward and Wage Slave. A number of his creative works have been published throughout the world and he recently launched his website at http://www.sagmeister.ca and a blog accessible from his website.

A Simple Two Step Exercise To Help Quit Marijuana Now!

In the past decade there have been a number of psychologists who have contributed to the growing body of information about quitting pot. Many of these experts have come to a conclusion that quitting cannabis is roughly 10% physical dependence and more importantly 90% psychological habit. When people start to consider quitting weed, they are forced to consider the health reasons, financial reasons, and family reasons for changing. This article will discuss the three main issues involved and bring attention to some of the principals that you can learn and use immediately.

The best way to benefit from learning psychology to help yourself, is to realize that it is all about self-analysis and self discovery. As you consider the costs of not quitting marijuana, you could make a list on a blank piece of paper and write down each thing that bothers you. Write down enough things so that your motivated and ready to take action. Then on the other side of the page, write down all the things you will be able to enjoy as a result of your decision to change your old habits. The first thing you might consider is your physical health.

Health

For some people the health reasons alone are enough to make the decision to quit pot. Some people find that before they quit cannabis they are often short of breath, or unable to naturally breath as deeply or as rhythmically as they could before. Other people worry about various types of cancer that can eventually result from smoking weed, or other tobacco. It's not uncommon to hear about problems with nasty wet coughs, runny noses and mucus buildup, that come as a result of smoking weed on a regular basis. Yet for some people the health reasons are not quite as motivating as when they consider the financial costs of not quitting cannabis.

Wealth

Some people start to calculate how much money they spend and how if they were to just quit marijuana they would have hundred and some times thousands of more dollars available to them. There was a client I had once who came to the realization that if he were to save up all the money that he usually would have spent on weed, he could take a vacation to South America in just a few months and every winter thereafter. Even though the health reasons and financial reasons to quit pot are many, there is yet another group of people who only respond to the family reasons.

Relationships

Often times it has been found that people who smoke cannabis too much have families that worry about them. Sometimes it's the girlfriends or boyfriend who really help in moving things forward along in the process. When they consider their children, they find that alone is enough reason to quit marijuana since they want to be a good example and make their kids proud.

Psychologist know that patients need to reflect on what they are doing, and how much better things will become once they make the change and quit pot. By doing something as simple as writing a list of painful things and pleasurable opportunities they can change their minds and re-train their brains to think that smoking is a silly thing that they no longer need in their lives. They look at themselves and decide to have better health, decide to seal their financial leaks, and patch things up with their families to become successful and self-reliant people.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

How to Stop Smoking Marijuana Today!

If how to stop smoking marijuana is a question you have been asking yourself for a while but have never found the answer then you may just be psychologically addicted to smoking pot. This is different to some other drug addictions which come with physical dependency and very painful withdrawal symptoms.

Those addicted to weed often continue doing so because of a small four letter word that has crippled many people's lives: FEAR!

This can come in many shapes and sizes but they are all designed by your subconscious to keep you hooked on a habit that is inhibiting you but you still do it because it is an easy crutch, an escape from reality and even when you know you need to quit smoking pot and know all of these things that first step is so hard to take when fear makes you go cold and makes your stomach roil and tie itself into knots.

Some people fear that they might fail when they give up pot, some fear they might lose social connections that might have been formed over a bong but one of the biggest things to hold back addicts is a fear of success.

Why would anyone fear success!

Well that is an interesting question and the simplest answer is that a fear of success is actually a fear of CHANGE and a fear of the UNKNOWN. People fear treading into places they have not been, what will it be like? How will I live my life without pot? How will I relax? Does this mean I have to be more responsible? If you travel down that path you can see how the mind and your addiction can twist your thoughts to say no... you don't want this even when deep down you know you must.

So what is the answer to overcoming these fears? Again a complex question with a million answers but there is one tip on how to stop smoking marijuana is to take a single step. Take a single action no matter how scary it is and get started, one single step will not bring the world crashing down. Make it an easy one, make it a simple one just do SOMETHING and do it TODAY!

This may not completely free you from the fear of quitting pot but it will start you on the path to success and end your slavery to the drug.
IF you need more help however click below for a complete guide on giving up marijuana, the only thing you have to lose is an addiction that is stopping you reaching your full potential!
Marijuana Addiction Treatment & Information

Do Not Smoke Weed All Day - How to Quit Smoking Marijuana Tips

I am not here to judge anyone because I know what it is like to smoke weed all day. Listen, I used to smoke weed EVERY single day! I'd smoke a bowl before I'd go to work. So I'd be high at work all day!

Then, I'd come back home and smoke some more weed and play video games all day. By the time it's night, I wasted my entire day and guess what I did before I slept? That's right! I smoked more marijuana!

This was a constant cycle for up to 5 years. I used to always want to quit but somehow never got myself going in that direction. However on 2006, I was able to finally quit my marijuana addiction once and for all and to this day, I have been sober for many years.

Looking back, the key to my success in overcoming weed addiction was that I wrote down my goal on paper. I didn't just talk about it or dream about it. I actually took the time to write my goal of quitting weed on a piece of paper.

And yes, I was probably high at the time writing this down but that doesn't matter. What mattered is that I took one step towards the road of freedom. That first step was writing my goal down. And that is what you have to do to take your first step to quit smoking marijuana.

Starting today, hurry & get a piece of paper! And write down your goal of quitting weed by a certain date. Put this paper on your room and read it to yourself every single day. This will be your first step towards quitting smoking marijuana.

Bobby Min is an ex-pothead and used to smoke weed all day for 5 years but overcame his addiction in ONE single day! Click here to learn how to quit smoking marijuana.

Quitting Marijuana With Auto-Suggestion And Affirmation

If you are serious about quitting marijuana, then you should seriously consider using the power of auto-suggestion to change your thought patterns. With self-suggestion you will be able to to program your subconscious mind with the new thoughts, feelings and behaviors that you want for yourself as you become a non smoker. From the steps of successful affirmation, suggestions for quitting pot, and re-enforcing your new self. This article will introduce you to using affirmations to help yourself quit cannabis.

Step 1 - Plan

In order to be successful at using affirmations you need a clear step by step game plan. You need to set a time aside where you can speak your affirmations out loud every single day for at least one month. It is best to write your affirmations down first and then as you memorize them you can recite them in your own words. If you can say your affirmations out loud everyday for more then twenty one days, you will find this to be incredibly powerful.

Step 2 - Act

Say out loud so you can hear your own voice the following:

"I know that I have the ability to quit marijuana now. Therefore I demand of myself persistence and continuous action toward the goal of quitting marijuana today. I am making a promise to myself that I can and will quit"

We now know that through the principal of affirmation and suggestion that the repeated act of desire towards your goal will eventually become physical reality. Therefore it is suggested that you spend up to thirty minutes each and every single day, and spend that time on thinking of the weed free person you intend to become. As you affirm your objective of quitting pot, make a clear mental picture of this person you are becoming.

As you practice this you will find it works in a predictable way. As you continually and repeatedly hold in your mind the image of your new self, you will find that you slowly and automatically transform your reality in positive ways. Therefore it is important to spend ten minutes of each day, demanding of yourself the will power and self confidence to quit marijuana.

Step 3 - Commit

In order to commit yourself even more to this process, be sure to get it down on paper. Write down a description of your goal to quit marijuana and promise to never stop trying, until you have developed the will power to quit. It will be something you can go back to. Especially at those times when you feel like giving up.

Step 4 - Reward Yourself With Reinforcement

Lastly, you will want to remind yourself daily about some of the basics of affirmation. Just remember that affirmations will continue to work for you as long as you only use them in ways that benefit yourself and every one around you. You will eventually attract to yourself the events, places, and things you will need to use, as well as the cooperation of other people. Remember to develop within yourself a love for all people, and especially love for yourself. You will find that people are more then willing to help you, because you are the type of person who is helpful towards others.

Have your personal statement of affirmation on you at all times, and sign your name to it. Be sure to commit it to memory and repeat it out loud every day. Use your faith and your emotions, and you will find that you gradually influence your own actions, quit smoking marijuana, and become and successful and independent person. Remember the steps for affirmation, give yourself the best suggestions for quitting pot, and make it a habit. You will find that you naturally create a plan for quitting and follow that plan by using affirmation and auto-suggestion.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com

How to Quit Smoking Weed - Social Consequence

One of the issues that confound people trying to find out how to quit smoking weed without relapsing is that there are often social consequences they are not prepared for or that they are prepared for but are terrified of making quitting a paralyzing choice.

Some may scoff at this but for many the social aspect to smoking pot is a major part of their lives and quitting can cause problems with friends and family alike. After all, our social connections are one of the biggest parts of our lives and how we view ourselves, determines our self esteem and many other effects on a persons psyche which may be quite fragile when trying to get rid of an addiction to marijuana.

However, like it or not if you with to change your life and not be addicted to weed you must face these consequences. Some of the common ones are:


Fear of losing friends
Fear of alienating yourself from family if they also smoke
Fear of ridicule
Fear of CHANGE

Many marijuana smokers are social smokers and often after a long period only have pot-head friends who are often still in love with marijuana making this one of the biggest problems. One piece of advice that I can give is that you MUST tell them you are going to quit, holding back out of fear of ridicule or anger at your choice will only make matters worse. HOW you reveal this is the most important thing to do and if done right can often allow you to keep your friends and often may gain you a quitting partner!

First make sure you do not do this flippantly but neither should you make this something overly serious. Second when you tell them you must make sure you do not blame marijuana for your problems. Thirdly you must not blame THEM for any part of your addiction problems. Lastly you must always make sure the emphasis is that this is your choice for your own health and well being and that you respect their choice too.

All this is because pot smokers may feel that you are snubbing them or looking down upon them which they get enough from the rest of society. By making your choice to quit smoking weed a personal choice without any hint of disrespect hopefully your real friends will understand.

For more information on How to Quit Smoking Weed click below for a review of a guide by an ex-addict who knows what you are going through and exactly how to beat it.

Cannabis Coach Review

How to Quit Smoking Pot - Cold Turkey Or Not?

The question whether to go cold turkey or to gradually wean yourself off marijuana as an often asked one when discovering how to quit smoking pot. Some see it as the only method worth doing and others think that this is too harsh and will add so much more stress to an already problematic addiction to be not worth the struggle. This article will look at the pros and cons of each method.

Quitting Smoking Pot Gradually

Opponents of the cold turkey method primarily believe that ending such an ingrained habit so suddenly can erode willpower very fast and the stresses of not being able to have any of the substance they think they need will lead them to crack and take it up again. Gradual decline seems a lot easier to deal with as weaning your body off marijuana over time can make this seem like less of a chore and a way to function more normally as you quit smoking weed.

However, this method involves a lot more planning than quitting straight up as you need to follow an exact plan on how much you will cut down on over the next weeks. You would need to make sure you never smoked more than a certain amount per day and make sure that amount is steadily reduced over time until you are at a stage you can stop smoking all together. This has its problems in that when you are smoking pot how much you smoke can easily get out of hand leading to a breaking of the contract you made with yourself and once high it becomes harder to judge these things. Many also believe that this method does not truly allow people to quit as they are avoiding the final outcome and also not being entirely honest with themselves about their NEED to quit.

Pros: Less Stress
Cons: More strict planning, ease of breaking goals, possible lack of true commitment

Quitting Smoking Pot Cold Turkey

Cold turkey supporters believe that if you have a date to stop smoking and you plan for that date to be done with marijuana you stand the best chance of quitting because you are being honest about wanting to stop and must muster the courage and motivation to actually do it. With only one goal to achieve it is actually easier to manage also.

The downside is of course that an immediate stop to smoking weed may be very difficult and very stressful for some and if you break under the pressure it may be easier to just give up as many feel a sense of failure which is not as great if you are gradually coming off pot.

Pros: Honest, Builds commitment and motivation, easier to plan for
cons: Stressful

So what is the conclusion on how to quit smoking pot? In the end you must decide but the positive aspects of cold turkey are quit compelling. It is also easier to change your way of thinking with cold turkey as you are not being influenced by the thing you are trying to get away from! As long as you have the right information to overcome marijuana addiction you can be in control and informed when you reach that quit date. So if you are tired of being a slave to Mary Jane, click below to get that information so you can be armed and ready to end your addiction and go on to lead a better more prosperous life!

Marijuana Addiction Treatment & Information

How You Can Use Hypnosis To Quit Marijuana

For many years now, hypnosis has been shrouded in mystery. The reality of the situation is that it is just a very powerful way of using your imagination and your day dreams to assist you in making changes. Today it is being used to help people quit smoking cannabis and to take back control. From what hypnosis is, to how it deals with the subconscious mind, to who is in control during the session. This article will be an introduction to using hypnosis and self-hypnosis to quit marijuana.

For many people when they think about the subject of hypnosis they think about the popular stage acts that cross the country. These performers use hypnosis as a framework around a show that uses the audience to preform various feats, jokes and acts. Other people think of the movies where a hypnotist is able to completely control another person with his influence and power, even in unethical ways. In the context of therapy, self improvement, and using hypnosis to quit smoking pot, this is all completely different.

The Basics Of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is nothing more then a very powerful and effective way of using the imagination to accomplish certain things. The definition of hypnosis is generally accepted as the bypassing of the critical factor of the mind, so that communication can happen with the other deeper subconscious mind. To help a person quit weed, hypnosis is used to bypass the part of their mind that might think, reason, evaluate or judge the powerful suggestions they receive during the session. This way, the suggestions are accepted and acted upon not by the conscious mind, but the unconscious mind.

The Deep Subconscious Mind

The unconscious part of your mind is the part that deals with your breathing. It keeps your heart beating and all your senses awake and aware, even when your conscious mind is off somewhere doing something else. When you drive a car, it is the unconscious parts of the mind that takes care of all the things going on around you. This way you can still carry on a conversation while driving down the road at 100 kilometers an hour. When a hypnotist tells a client to "Sleep!", instantly the conscious mind is suspended long enough that they can listen to the suggestions and install the new believes that force them to quit smoking cannabis. When it is done properly the effect is almost instant. However there are many people who have a fear about loosing control while in trance.

Fears And Misconceptions: Who In Control?

The reality of the situation is that a person's main resistance to going into a trance and accepting suggestions to quit marijuana is fear. The more fear a person feels about being hypnotised, the more challenge they will have to endure to change themselves. The fact remains that all hypnosis is really just self-hypnosis, the trick is eliminating the fears and the misconceptions before hand. In the end it is only you that can change and heal yourself. You can't change other people, but you can change yourself.

If you believe in yourself enough to take the advice and suggestions from someone who knows how to help you, quitting pot will be easier then you ever imagined. When you understand exactly what hypnosis is, how it powerfully affects your subconscious mind, and how ultimately it is only you in control. You can understand one thing, that you and only you can grant a hypnotist permission to help you to make the change.

Peter Hill is a human resources specialist and an expert in helping people change their habits. He runs an informational website that provides tips, audio and stories to help people quit marijuana naturally and easily, without cravings or discomfort. To take advantage of this cool stuff and more make sure to check out Peter's site at http://www.QuitMarijuanaNow.com