I see a major problem with hyping the number of people who "seek treatment." Aren't most people who seek treatment for "marijuana addiction" people who got busted and were given the choice of treatment or criminal sanctions?
Lisa Casanova | 03.19.07 - 4:12 pm | #

You make a great point re: were drugs legal, their quality/strength/purity would be controlled and predictable. Public health officials ought to focus on the harm caused by bad drugs, which is probably far greater than the damage caused by most of the things they crusade against. Plus, many people who get sick from drugs do not get medical help as they are afraid of arrest.
Leonardo | 03.19.07 - 4:21 pm | #

I was always under the impression that skunk was a generic term for crappy bud. Maybe it means something different in other parts of the world.
This also seems to be part of a general trend in the press of erroneously reporting the potency of shitty weed.
First it was BC Bud, now skunk... Soon to come: A dangerous new strain of marijuana sweeps the nation: "Dryed-Out Mexican Gas Tank Bud" 50 times more THC than rope fibers!
Travis | 03.19.07 - 11:53 pm | #

I'm not sure how much of its a cultural difference. I agree that as a kid I would hear skunk thrown around to describe dirt, but I'm fairly sure it's used to describe cross-breeding (I think mostly between indica and sativa strains) to create a more potent bud.

In Europe it is used entirely in that way, occasionally in the states people will use skunk properly. Much bigger deal over there as opposed to here.
Rob | Homepage | 03.20.07 - 8:58 am | #