Marijuana?

[Mave]

These may seem like silly questions to some of you but after 25 years of existing on this planet, tonight was the first time I encountered marijuana (I think). I was hanging out at a house party with work colleagues and her old high school friends. Apart from all the typical booze, I noticed that they were sharing these "cigarettes" among themselves. Some questions regarding this stuff....

#1) Just to make sure I got it right, they had some dried leaves/herbs, and ground/crushed them before rolling them up in some parchment paper. That's marijuana, right?

#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

[ChristianKitsune]

These may seem like silly questions to some of you but after 25 years of existing on this planet, tonight was the first time I encountered marijuana (I think). I was hanging out at a house party with work colleagues and her old high school friends. Apart from all the typical booze, I noticed that they were sharing these "cigarettes" among themselves. Some questions regarding this stuff....

#1) Just to make sure I got it right, they had some dried leaves/herbs, and ground/crushed them before rolling them up in some parchment paper. That's marijuana, right?

#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

1. sounds like it...though it could be home made ciggys too..XP those don't have filters...I dont think...but most likely
2. Yes you could be arrested because it isn't necassary legal. (I guess some areas allow it for medication, but not for smoking) And you would be arrested for being an associate. (and fornot reporting it.) Kinda like if you were at a party with Achohol, and you are underage, you didn't drink it..but you were around it..by assoctiation you could get into trouble There is an old Mexican saying "Show me who you are by who you hang around with." Or soemthing like that...
3. I think so, i mean second hand smoking is actually worse than regular smoking. Because you break it in directly. (they blow it out and it comes in YOUR direction)

my advice: Stay away from those parties..they are bad for you XP

[Uriah]

I would agree with Ronin. Possession isn't illegal in all states in very small amounts,
but I havn't the slighest clue what those boundries are..

[Ingemar]

#1) Just to make sure I got it right, they had some dried leaves/herbs, and ground/crushed them before rolling them up in some parchment paper. That's marijuana, right?

Unless rolling up cigarettes suddenly came back into fashion, that most certainly must have been MJ.

#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?

It is illegal, but the fact that it is so prevalent calls into question how much people care about enforcing the law. Usually it is just a convenient fiction to arrest people.

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

This is the part where we say "Ask Shoob..."

[CDLviking]

I have known people who roll their own cigarettes, but I've never heard of anyone crushing their own tobacco leaves before. It usually comes in a handy round container. Most likely MJ. The easiest way to tell is the distinctive smell.

You could probably be arrested, but I don't imagine that they would hold you if they determined that you were clean. Best to avoid the situation all together though, just to be safe.

[Slater]

I don't think you'd get arrested for being there. When I was 16 or 17, I was at a party where there was alcohol all around, and I was even offered it (in the form of spiked hot chocolate), but since I didn't drink it, when the police got there, they didn't even talk to me.

[Kaligraphic]

1: probably
2: yes. As long as you don't have any in your possession, and they don't think you personally have been smoking it, you'd probably be okay. (I've never been in that kind of party during a raid, so that part is somewhat conjecture, but it seems logical - they might want you as a witness, though, even if they don't charge you.)
3: yes, it is quite common to get a "contact high" from being around the stuff.

If it's your first time being exposed to marijuana, I'd suggest you especially try to avoid driving, operating heavy machinery ( ), or doing anything particularly delicate for a while. Basically the standard precautions for when your head isn't 100%.

[Lynx]

you'd have to breathe in a lot to get a "contact high". i wouldnt worry too much about the second hand smoke, since this was your first and only contact with it. just dont make it a habit;)

[Da Rabid Duckie]

Okie, I sooo got this one... *whips out the criminal law book*

#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?

Bear with me, this is going to be looooong.

First, since it is illegal because of federal law, possession is illegal in all fifty states unless a state has provisions for it being used in a medicinal purpose. If there would have been a police raid, you would have been arrested for possession as well because you would be guilty of constructive possession. Basically, it's the idea that "I have control of it, but it's not on my person."

The issue of constructive possession could easily be proved by the fact that 1) you knew about it, 2) made no attempt to protest, including but not limited to leaving, and 3) had a "special relationship" with the people involved (meaning they invited you into their home, therefore assuming care over you) would definitely provide enough evidence, especially considering that second-hand smoke from marijuana can be just as potent as smoking it.

Fortunately, while you would have been arrested, it's likely that no charges could be placed because while there was constructive possession the fact that you didn't know what it was classifies it as mere possession, which is not enough to make it a criminal offense because most states (except for North Dakota and Washington) states that you have to know what it is for it to be "knowing possession" However, had you known what it was, it would have been enough for a conviction... meaning you'll be arrested considering that you do know now.

So, say this happens again... in order for you to not get in trouble you would have to:

1) State aloud that you're against it.
2) Leave the premises.
3) Report it. If you don't report it, all someone has to do is say you were there and there would be enough for an obstruction charge, because again, since you were at the home you had a "special relationship", meaning that you had a legal duty to report any crimes you witnessed. Now, had you been outside and seen it before you entered and then left without reporting it, you'd be home free since there was no "special relationship" making you liable.

And of course, the easiest thing would to be:

4) Just don't even go there anymore.

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Absolutely, but Shooby can give far more about that than I could.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

It's likely you had an allergic reaction. The only time I've ever been high was because of second hand smoke I inhaled while trying to root out pot smokers at a concert I worked security for, and my allergies caused me to wake up with a terrible headache.

[Tenshi no Ai]

All I can say about if it was rolled up cigs or not, most likely is and here's how you can tell: I remember my first "exposure" to weed. My friend and I were at the McDonalds at lunch in 7th grade @ junior high. And well, some guy had a semi-familiar scent. Told my friend that he smelled like tomato plants (cause my grandpa had grown them and the scent smelled something like it). Then she told me it was marijuana and I was like "oh..." :/

Moral of the story? Basically if it has more of a strange planty smell to it rather than cig smoke, than it is :/ Sometimes when I got the whiff of people when I walked aroung at high school in the area that did the "all the bad stuff" it can actually have varing scents I've found :/ Course this is my only experience and I never have done it (nor actually been offered it) to this date.

[Sweet Mercury]

These may seem like silly questions to some of you but after 25 years of existing on this planet, tonight was the first time I encountered marijuana (I think). I was hanging out at a house party with work colleagues and her old high school friends. Apart from all the typical booze, I noticed that they were sharing these "cigarettes" among themselves. Some questions regarding this stuff....

It's probably more commendable and than silly, although it does speak for a bit of a sheltered life, due to the sheer level with which marijuana use infests youth culture.

#1) Just to make sure I got it right, they had some dried leaves/herbs, and ground/crushed them before rolling them up in some parchment paper. That's marijuana, right?

Just about. While I have known a few of my friends to smoke loose, fine tobacco in their own cigarettes or pipes, that is much, much less likely than people rolling marijuana cigarettes. A few clues, the smell of MJ is nothing like that of cigarettes, it's much stronger, and there is really no mixing up the two. Not only that, but you said that they were sharing the cigarettes]#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?[/QUOTE]

It is illegal. Duckie pointed out the finer details. There would be a lot of things to consider though, like your reputation with police officers, and the fact that you weren't holding or using, or that you likely have no prior criminal record. also the fact that you didn't even know exactly what was happening might be a factor; however, while neither I nor anyone else is questioning your honesty, the chances are that your claims of ignorance would not be believed by the police or anyone else. That being the case, it's best or you to avoid such situations.

I would also concur with Ingemar here, in that the fact that a good 95% of kids in high school smoke the stuff regularly, I question both the efforts being put forth to enforce the laws and the stated purposes for such unenforceable nanny-laws to even exist. That, however, is fodder or another discussion...

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Umm, depending on your setting, yes or no. If you are in a large room with only minor ventilation you should be ok. If people were in a car with the windows closed smoking for hours, my guess is you would start to feel the effects. Unless you have some sort of pressing medical condition, there is no need to worry about this brief (and I'm assuming one-time-only) exposure.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

It could be that, but that happens from all smoky environments, so there's no need to panic. As far as your reaction is concerned, the depends entirely on you. I will have to disagree with Duckie on this point, because I think discrete would be better. Standing up and making a scene or even reporting it to the police would likely be a huge hassle, but that is your decision to make in the end. Your best bet would be to excuse yourself and leave, and avoid being involved in those situations in the future.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Marijuana has a very fowl smell... Go to a concert once or twice and you'll learn what it smells like.

[Mithrandir]

1. If you are really curious what it was, let us know what it smelled like. If it smelled like "people smoking" then it probably was cigs. If you smelled something like "burning plastic" then it's probably MJ. To clarify, tobacco and MJ aren't the only substances that look like that (or that are smoked). If the herbs were long and skinny, it could be cinnamon (Yup, a good friend of mine used to smoke cinnamon. He liked the flavor and it didn't give him a high. He eventually decided it wasn't good for him, though). I've also seen people smoke cloves in a similar manner. If it was cinnamon or cloves, they could have been spreading it around for entertainment, but I'm pretty suspect about that.

2. INAL, but I know pleanty of people who've been in similar situations. The safest legal advice I can give you is what people around here have said: You may wanna think about staying away.

3. *doesn't know* *looks around for shooby*

[termyt]

These may seem like silly questions to some of you but after 25 years of existing on this planet, tonight was the first time I encountered marijuana (I think). I was hanging out at a house party with work colleagues and her old high school friends. Apart from all the typical booze, I noticed that they were sharing these "cigarettes" among themselves. Some questions regarding this stuff....

#1) Just to make sure I got it right, they had some dried leaves/herbs, and ground/crushed them before rolling them up in some parchment paper. That's marijuana, right?

#2) Is it illegal to use them/possess them? Assuming it's illegal, what happens if (hypothetically) a police made a raid at my friend's place? Would I get arrested too even if I wasn't smoking it?

#3) Are we affected by the second-hand smoke made from these cigarettes? Just wondering, 'coz I must have inhaled quite a bit second-hand smoke tonight even if I never smoked those things.

Sorry if this topic makes anyone uncomfortable but I have to admit that I didn't know how to react at today's social function due to my lack of understanding. My head hurts quite a bit tonight so I'm wondering whether it's the result of inhaling the second hand smoke.

Don't feel bad. I was 30 before I encountered it for the first time. It has a fairly unique and unmistakable odor. It really smells like nothing else. I don’t know how to describe it.

It is illegal to possess marijuana by federal law. As far as I know, only California has challenged federal jurisdiction over marijuana, so it most certainly was illegal to possess and use it at your party – assuming you did not make a quick jaunt to the left coast for the party. Just buy being at the party can get you into trouble - especially if minors are present. If you are all adults, then it will be pretty much up to the prosecutor to determine if you will be charged with a crime. I would hope it would be unlikely for you to be charged, but it can happen.

You can be affected by second-hand smoke. Very little study has been done on the affects of second-hand marijuana smoke, but it is clear that the smoke contains the same stuff after it is exhaled as it does when it is inhaled. Therefore, it is safe to assume you can be affected by it with prolonged exposure. You will certainly not have the same experience as those directly inhaling it, but you can get a contact high. I would say this is the most likely explanation for your headache, although a lot of factors could be involved including cigarette smoke, loud noise, and fatigue from staying up late or otherwise making a drastic changes to your normal eat/sleep schedule. (The older you get, the more likely simply changing your eating and sleeping habits will have a noticeable affect on the way you feel).

[Mave]

How does it smell like? I can't describe it except that it's definitely not the typical tobacco smoke which I detest with a passion.

Very helpful insights everyone, although there was a bit of reaction on my side from the 'sheltered' statement. I wonder whether the youth culture described was intended to represent other countries as well. All I remember learning about the legality of such drugs back home was the death sentence for smuggling/possessing them. If that is the case, you've got to be remarkably stupid to mess around with drugs there. I hate to say this but I initally encountered unusual enthusiasm with alcohol and drugs when I came over here to get my degree. Still, it is possible that things have changed eversince I left my country so when I return home this year, I'll have to check it out for myself.

Perhaps I was clueless as a whole but the only information I had in the invitation was "all girls fondue party at colleague's house + Lotsa food and drinks." Period. Additionally, this was my first time seeing the -other face behind the mask- of some work colleagues and that kinda shocked me.

As for my headache, I think the alcohol played a role in this matter as well. It conveniently slipped my mind that wine/champagne carries more alcohol than regular beer and I confess that I was careless with the number of glasses I was taking in last night. Everyone, I was an idiot and I'm sorry for what I did. This occurrence has significantly made me more homesick. For the lack of a better term, this has left me somewhat depressed the whole day, apart from solemnly pondering about the fate of youths today.

PS: termyt, you did make me feel better 'coz I was starting to feel that I should feel ashamed for not being exposed to stuff like this

[Sweet Mercury]

1. If you are really curious what it was, let us know what it smelled like. If it smelled like "people smoking" then it probably was cigs. If you smelled something like "burning plastic" then it's probably MJ. To clarify, tobacco and MJ aren't the only substances that look like that (or that are smoked). If the herbs were long and skinny, it could be cinnamon (Yup, a good friend of mine used to smoke cinnamon. He liked the flavor and it didn't give him a high. He eventually decided it wasn't good for him, though). I've also seen people smoke cloves in a similar manner. If it was cinnamon or cloves, they could have been spreading it around for entertainment, but I'm pretty suspect about that.

2. INAL, but I know pleanty of people who've been in similar situations. The safest legal advice I can give you is what people around here have said: You may wanna think about staying away.

3. *doesn't know* *looks around for shooby*

A friend of mine doesn't smoke regular cigarettes, and abstains from illegal drugs and only drinks moderately, but he does smoke clove cigarettes. They can be bought basically anywhere. And although I know they are damaging, I don't mind when he smokes them around me because they smell so good.

(The same can be said about really high quality pipe tobacco.)

[Da Rabid Duckie]

As far as your reaction is concerned, the depends entirely on you. I will have to disagree with Duckie on this point, because I think discrete would be better. Standing up and making a scene or even reporting it to the police would likely be a huge hassle, but that is your decision to make in the end. Your best bet would be to excuse yourself and leave, and avoid being involved in those situations in the future.

Oh I never said it wouldn't be a hassle, nor did I say it was the most ethical approach. I just said it was the best way to avoid being busted for not reporting it if someone placed her at the scene and she had left with the knowledge of what was going on. It further reinforced the idea of staying away to begin with, because doing what would have been required to remove liability would have been quite a social burden. The point still remains, and we've both agreed on this, to just stay away.

Perhaps I was clueless as a whole but the only information I had in the invitation was "all girls fondue party at colleague's house + Lotsa food and drinks." Period. Additionally, this was my first time seeing the -other face behind the mask- of some work colleagues and that kinda shocked me.

As for my headache, I think the alcohol played a role in this matter as well. It conveniently slipped my mind that wine/champagne carries more alcohol than regular beer and I confess that I was careless with the number of glasses I was taking in last night. Everyone, I was an idiot and I'm sorry for what I did. This occurrence has significantly made me more homesick. For the lack of a better term, this has left me somewhat depressed the whole day, apart from solemnly pondering about the fate of youths today.

Hey... live, learn, repent, lather, rinse, repeat.

EVERYONE GLOMP MAVE!!

[Sweet Mercury]

Very helpful insights everyone, although there was a bit of reaction on my side from the 'sheltered' statement. I wonder whether the youth culture described was intended to represent other countries as well. All I remember learning about the legality of such drugs back home was the death sentence for smuggling/possessing them. If that is the case, you've got to be remarkably stupid to mess around with drugs there. I hate to say this but I initally encountered unusual enthusiasm with alcohol and drugs when I came over here to get my degree.

Ahh, well then I apologize for my saying you are sheltered. That does make a difference]this[/URL] websight explaining the possesion laws in your state. There seems to be something called conditional discharge, although that might warrent further explination.

Everyone, I was an idiot and I'm sorry for what I did.

No need to apologize. You don't answer to anyone here, and I highly doubt that anyone here is going to be passing judgment on you.

[shooraijin]

I see a lot of people have thrown my name around , so here's the semi-"official medical opinion" from the local MD:

Marijuana second hand smoke is damaging, as is any kind of second hand smoke. You can get a high from it, although as Sweet Mercury noted, you need to be in somewhere where it's concentrated; there are also carcinogens in it, same as tobacco (worse as there are no filters, usually), but you need repeated exposure for this to be clinically relevant. There can be subtle effects even without that, but they're very unlikely to be long-term. So I wouldn't worry about it.

Incidentally, the headache is not an allergy. You can get a headache alone from it, although you gave a much more likely reason why you got one; regardless, a headache is just an adverse reaction. I've seen real allergic anaphylaxis from pot smoking and it's a medical emergency (i.e., these people's windpipes close like a steel trap and they can't breathe).

[CDLviking]

As for my headache, I think the alcohol played a role in this matter as well. It conveniently slipped my mind that wine/champagne carries more alcohol than regular beer and I confess that I was careless with the number of glasses I was taking in last night. Everyone, I was an idiot and I'm sorry for what I did.

The first time I had wine the same thing happened to me. I don't drink much, but I've had enough to know where my limits are, and I was surprised by how little wine it takes to reach that limit.

[Syreth]

PS: termyt, you did make me feel better 'coz I was starting to feel that I should feel ashamed for not being exposed to stuff like this

Romans 16:19
[I]For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf]

Just thought I might mention that verse. I think it's good that you didn't know. It is really sad how drugs like MJ and the abuse of alcohol are so popular here among youth (even adults).

[ishy]

That is incorrect about marijuana being addictive - it is addictive just like smoking is addictive. There are withdrawal symptoms. The cancer rate is much higher with marijuana smokers as well. I think you may need to research some of your facts. Also, there are all sorts of plants which are dangerous to eat or smoke, why would that be a reason to make it legal? I don't see a bunch of people running around smoking poison ivy...?

And for the record, I have been high before on secondhand weed smoke.

[Nate]

Although use may become habitual, the extent of physical dependence to cannabis is unknown (DEA, 2004). Many animal and human studies conducted since the 1970s have revealed cannabis withdrawal symptoms in some people after abstinence from heavy use which is usually characterized by a period of anxiousness, sleeplessness, more vivid and memorable dreams, (REM rebound), irritability, and diminished appetite after cessation of use. Because cannabis is a psychedelic drug, unlike typical depressant or stimulant drugs, these persistent effects are typically not as severe as those normally associated with physical dependence.

THC molecules break down quickly after ingestion, although some components can be detected for a period of up to a month after use, and up to 6 weeks or more in heavy users. Although these components are not proven to have any ongoing physical or mental effects in themselves— THC undergoes exponential decay, working its way out of the body slowly over many days, thus reducing the potential to cause withdrawal symptoms.

[shooraijin]

Actually, there is no physical addiction to marijuana, compared to drugs in tobacco and illicit drugs such as heroin. addiction means a physical dependency, where as marijuana is only a habbitual dependency. try heroin or cocaine and come back the next day before you tell me that marijuana is addictive.

The only reason marijuana has a higher rate of cancer is from the tar content. the tar in one gram of marijuana is equal to the ammount of tar in 10 cigarettes. (which is not as much as a difference, in fact one gram of marijuana costs more money than 10 cigarettes)

I suggest you do you research, rather.
*hugs*

When it comes to the nonsense that the states tells kids, its all politics. the government doesn't make any money from the drug trade industry and most the money goes into the pockets of criminals. and of course the government doesn't want to make money off of the profits because they don't want to tarnish their image.


If the american government was seriously concerned for the public health they would make health care covered a long time ago, no offense.

We're done with the political aspect in this thread, please. As for your other points, we're not in the business of "this controlled substance is not as bad for you as other things" -- it's still illegal and that's that.

I think Mave's questions have been answered and your other, incorrect points have been addressed adequately, so this thread will end on that note.