Quote:
Originally Posted by PointlessWords
Correlation is not causation.
Also, not that I agree, but all of the supposedly bad side effects of cannabis are far less dangerous to the individual and society than traditional prescription drugs
Prescription drugs cause suicide, heart palpitations, mania, anxiety, severe chemical dependency, heart problems and impotence.
Do you think that’s worse than the side effects (not proven) of pot?
For people with a mental health condition, the positive:negative is much better for prescription medications than for marijuana.
Are you talking above just about antidepressants? Because if so, I don't know what you mean about them causing "severe chemical dependency." And if you are referring to more than just antidepressants then it seems silly to compile a list of potential side effects from multiple drugs and compare that list to one from a single drug.
Also, the link between antidepressants and suicide is complicated and far from a given. While a large meta-analysis did show an increase in suicidality (suicidal thoughts and behaviors) in those under 25 taking such medications, there are 2 issues I have with this:
1) There were no actual suicides in this large sample despite that increase.
2) There was no finding of increased suicidality in those 25-65, and there was a decrease in suicidality in those 65+. And yet, there is no noticeable increase in suicides in youth over the past 3 decades that isn't also seen in adults.