Yep, it's reefer madness all over again.  When "they" first tried to tell us cannabis was bad for us they would make statements like: Marijuana will make white women like black men! It will make you crazy and go on killing rampages!  It will destroy your brain!! Some of the quotes past presidents have made are unbelievable, Ronald Regan actually said: 
"I now have absolute proof that smoking even one marijuana cigarette is equal in brain damage to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast."  
Tell that to Obama, who inhaled frequently.
The journey on Cannabis education for me opened my eyes to many things, some of which I would like to say I was happily ignorant and beautifully blissful; this is not the case anymore. 
So when I read  NOW- Cannabis causes schizophrenia- I looked into it.  This to me was the biggest joke to date. I wondered how they knew this and after reading time and time again - it appears it is NOT fact - far from it! It is a 'HUNCH' - a guess and a poor one at that. Well for any rational thinking human!  Turns out that the ONLY way to PROVE - scientifically* that Cannabis causes Schizophrenia is to follow each person studied for over 20 years.  ??? So I wondered- how the heck do they do that? THEY don't ! They follow up with them from time to time with a few questions - ARE you kidding me!? How can anyone make such a claim!  It would be just as easy for me to claim  about milk!  REALLY! 
They also note (in the fine print most times) that  there are other factors. 
SO the FACT is: NO they CANNOT prove Cannabis causes Schizophrenia- as a matter of FACT there is strong argument that young adolescence  who DO have pre-existing schizophrenia often learn early that Cannabis actually helps them control their condition. Don't believe me - Research it! PLEASE! I did.  Anyhow, I know there are many things, events, life lessons that have made me the person I am today - somewhat crazy - probably - but Cannabis was NOT one of them. 
*One little note to leave you with - Alcohol on the other hand is increasingly being tied (scientifically) with the rise of dementia in people. 
You sure don't see those headlines everyday!!


more on the subject: Study: Administration Of Non-Psychotropic Cannabinoid Mitigates Psychotic Symptoms In SchizophrenicsMannheim, Germany: The administration of the non-psychotropic plant constituent cannabidiol (CBD) is associated with a significant reduction in psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, according to clinical trial data published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

An international team of researchers from Germany and the United States performed a four week, double-blind, randomized clinical trial assessing the clinical relevance of cannabidiol versus amisulpride, a potent antipsychotic agent, in patients with acute schizophrenia.

Researchers reported that the administration of either substance was associated with significant clinical improvement, but they acknowledged, "[C]annabidiol displayed a markedly superior side-effect profile."

Amisulpride is categorized as "one of the most effective drugs currently in use for the treatment of schizophrenia."

Investigators concluded, "Our results provide evidence that the non-cannabimimetic constituent of marijuana, cannabidiol, exerts clinically relevant antipsychotic effects that are associated with marked tolerability and safety, when compared with current medications. ... The results ... potentially represent a completely new mechanism in the treatment of schizophrenia."

review of CBD's safety profile in humans, published online in 2011 in the scientific journal Current Drug Safety, concluded that the cannabinoid is non-toxic, safe, and well tolerated in humans, even in high doses.

Separate investigations of CBD have documented the cannabinoid to possess a variety of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-epileptic, anti-cancer, and bone-stimulating properties.


 
 
I've decided  to start right away with what is important to me! What I plan on continuing  to focus on.  I read that helium kills more people that most drugs combined- I never thought of that. I mean, I know Peanuts kill people and Cannabis has never killed anyone (*you will note in the article below it says for example..) But Helium! COME on admit it, how many of you have tried Helium! LOL It makes me giggle even to ask that. I did Helium so many times! BUT I did not know it could kill you!! I am one of those who when I breath in Helium I sound like a true munchkin and would sing the song.. "I wish to welcome you to Munchkin land... tra la la la la la la la" - People crack up and say 'oh come on, one more time!" Usually I would.  WHO KNEW!? Not me. Not aware that I was taking my life  in my hands for a few giggles.  I knew I would feel a bit light headed- even dizzy and then would normally stop. I am sure my parents and family that witnessed this also not aware. 
THAT is what this is all about! Become aware!  Educate yourself. 
Cannabis is a very safe drug.  MUCH safer than Alcohol and Tobacco and Coffee! *Yes you all forget that that too is a drug !!
I believe IMO there are a few categories of Cannabis users:  
Hippies - harmless, peaceful just want to mellow out - most older and who are they harming? No one.  To each his own.
Stoners - just want to get high - roll a doobie! Who are they hurting ?- Mostly themselves and not physically - but with lack of motivation - other than for getting high, they will go nowhere fast but that usually is more about the person than the pot. Their loss 
Recreational users. People who want to relax - take the edge off - only partake from time to time much like a casual drinker. Who are they hurting - no one.
Medicinal users.  People suffering from pain, depression, cancer, PTSD, arthritis, crohns, 
nausea,  M.S., Migraine, Glaucoma...  and MORE! To many to for me to mention..  Who are they hurting? THEY are helping! Themselves.  Easing pain. Bringing peace.

All in all  IT IS time to end the lies and stop the insanity against people for using something that is less harmful than a BALLOON! 

Happy New year!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2011/12/23/helium-is-more-dangerous-than-cannabis-ecstasy-and-mephedrone-put-together/