Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 2/19/2007

Question
What really are the long term effects of marajuana? The link you sent me said that smoking a lot, or even in moderation can cause cancer. So, I take probably, at most, 1 hit a month. (In the example from the link, it refers to a cigarette which easially has 8 hits, and is talking about 5 cigarettes a week.) On that scale, my use is SUCH a small ammount, so why, other than the fact that the drug is illegal, should I be concerned?


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Jurriaan,

I'm taking a drug test some time next week to see if I can coach a little league baseball team. I forgot that this was coming up, and last night with a friend smoked a little pot. I took one hit from a glass pipe (if that makes any difference).

I very seldom smoke ANY marajuana. Before last night, I probably haven't had any in my system for a good six months.

What are the odds that one hit, will still be enough in my system, in a week, for me to pass the test?

Thank you.
-----Answer-----
Hi Dave,

If they use urine analysis, it may not be detectable after a week. But if they use hair analysis, it can be detected after months. But I am not sure.

It is important to stop smoking marijuana, especially as a coach. In my work as a psychotherapist I know how devastating the effects of pot smoking can be to some individuals.

See:
http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Marijuana

_________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor: HYPOGLYCEMIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA at
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author: “Getting off the Hook” at
Google Book Search

Answer
My question to you is, why is it so important for you to smoke marijuana at all?

I have found from clinical experience that those people who ENJOY  (getting a high or pleasure) from marihuana, usually have a metabolic disorder that put them at risk of addiction, if not of more serious illness.

People who suffer from depression or anxiety attacks usually enjoy smoking marijuana, because this is an antidote to their depression or anxiety attacks.

Healthy people do not usually enjoy marijuana and the fact that you seem to enjoy it seems to indicate to me that you may be suffering from hypoglycemia. But of course the decision  to smoke is up to you. I have seen too much damage to personality to approve of the habit.

_________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor: HYPOGLYCEMIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA at
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author: “Getting off the Hook” at
Google Book Search