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Ask a Stoner: Does smoking pot cause strokes?

Comments (0) By William Breathes Thursday, Mar 7 2013

Dear Stoner: My wife was telling me that she heard on TV that smoking pot can cause strokes in older folks. I'm 63 and just a little concerned. Any truth to this rumor?

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Roberto Reefer Roller

Dear RRR: Back in February, a New Zealand scientist said he had found a link between cannabis use and certain types of strokes in people under the age of 55. Out of 160 stroke patients, 16 percent tested positive for marijuana. That was twice as high as the number of cannabis users in a control group with similar conditions and signs, but who had not progressed to a stroke. While the scientists and news media made a big deal out of those findings, they downplayed the more important part of the study: All but one of the 16 percent smoked cigarettes, which can more than double the risk of having an ischemic stroke.

In my completely unscientific opinion, the Kiwi study is crap — and it hadn't even been through a peer review before the media picked up on it. Other studies have shown that cannabis might even help the brain protect itself against strokes if they do occur.

Dear Stoner: What is the origin of the word "marijuana"? Is it named after a beautiful, red-haired lady named Mary Jane?

Word Smith

Dear Word Smith: You could write a paper on this, but here's my 200-word version. "Marijuana" has mysterious origins, according to etymologists (word nerds). Most likely, it originated as slang in Mexican Spanish sometime in the 1800s, possibly with a different spelling ("mariguan") and likely not as a translation of the name "Mary Jane."

In America, the plant was called hemp or cannabis, and it was mostly known as either an ingredient in medicine or the fiber from which ropes were made. That all changed at the turn of the century, when newspapers and lawmen started using the term because it sounded exotic and Mexican — and therefore scary. It was a way of further demonizing the brown-skinned migrant workers. Especially out here in Colorado, where as early as 1917 lawmakers were banning the plant and levying an outrageously large (at the time) fine of up to $100 for its cultivation or use — and that only progressed through the '30s and '40s. By the '60s and '70s, the hippies, radicals and activists were taking back the term, though many probably didn't realize its origins even then. Today, "marijuana" is acceptable to all but the most humorless of cannabis supporters, who still deem it a racist term.

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myapptogo
myapptogo

Did you know, Cannabis Energy Drink (CED) is starting to appear on shelves of liquor stores, c-stores, gas stations, bar and clubs in Metro Denver and through out the state. CED does not contain THC, rather Hemp Seed Oil Extract, which is a natural flavor. So what does this mean? CED can be consumed by anyone that wants to drink an energy drink. CED is competing against main stream brands such as; RedBull, Monster, Full Throttle etc.. However, what CED has going for it, is a bold green can with the words "Cannabis Energy Drink", and its sweet taste. Plus, no after taste like other brands. 


Just how HOT is CED? A c-store in Yuma, CO cannot keep CED on the shelves! As soon as they post on their Facebook page that they have CED in stock, they sell out within hours. If  your favorite liquor store, c-store and bar does'nt carry it tell them to call us and order some


CED is a product of Austria and is the only energy drink containing a natural flavor. CED is distributed by Denver based CWW/JD Distribution. Since the beginning of January, over 2,500 cases have been sold to over 260(+) businesses statewide.  

If you would like to purchase your own case $60.00 for 24 cans 8.4oz.  Call us to order.   

MSP, Inc.
303-955-6452

HB420
HB420

I smoke cannabis almost everyday and I HATE the term "stoner".  Call me that and there's going to be a problem.  Good article Will

sedonasherpa
sedonasherpa

CBD's are a vassal dialator...ciggies constrict...  That's why MJ lowers blood pressure...and ciggies increase it.  That is science...not an opinion and in direct conflict with what causes a stroke.

El_Derpo
El_Derpo

Ask a Stoner for medical advice: derp derp derp

swellsSWells828
swellsSWells828

Cannabinoids have been found more effective at maintaining brain health than any other medicine available:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/

A Molecular Link Between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology

Mol Pharm. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2008 October 6.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly, and with the ever-increasing size of this population, cases of Alzheimer's disease are expected to triple over the next 50 years. Consequently, the development of treatments that slow or halt the disease progression have become imperative (...) Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease.

Cannabidiolator
Cannabidiolator


Stroke and heart attack research by Christina Sanchez in Spain has shown that if you have CBD, cannabidiol, in your blood when you have a heart attack or stroke it reduces the physical damage by 50 to 75%. If you are over 40 you should be using CBD marijuana daily to protect yourself.

2006stupidstoner
2006stupidstoner

I quit cigs last year because of blood pressure probs. When I read that about weed causing strokes, my day was starting to get really EFFed UP really fast...I am 57 and been smoking pot since 14yrs old. I just try to watch out for that super trippy sativa.....

Manny LaRue
Manny LaRue like.author.displayName 1 Like

@ Kotzebue. Only if consumed with Cool Ranch Doritos Tacos Locos.

Cognitive_Dissident
Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter like.author.displayName 1 Like

"Today, 'marijuana' is acceptable to all but the most humorless of cannabis supporters, who still deem it a racist term."

No sir. It's the equivalent of referring to someone as a nigger. There's absolutely no reason to use such a derogatory term to deliberately degrade. 

I have a fine sense of humor, but there is no humor in renaming a medicine to outlaw it and jailing the victims.

Further, there's purpose in using the correct term: cannabis. Cannabis was medicine before the authoritarians made it illegal under the (misspelled) racist name, and it still is medicine. It's not medicinal marijuana. It's medicinal cannabis.

El_Derpo
El_Derpo

@Cognitive_Dissident derp derp derp

therealtrickjames
therealtrickjames like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

It's not that marijuana is racist, it's that it's ignorant. I like Cannabis much better. It's the correct scientific term.

 
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