After checking out the White House’s report, I agree that the government’s evidence is shaky. However, I don’t think Philip Dawdy at Furious Seasons has done a good job in making a case against the report.

First, hypocrisy is not a legit criticism of someone’s argument. In fact, it’s irrelevant. Someone can make a good point even if she doesn’t practice what she preaches.

Second, Dawdy’s argument that pot doesn’t lead to suicide is weak. Yes, the suicide rate hasn’t increased in the past 40 years while pot use has increased. But this statistic doesn’t prove his claim. There are too many factors that aren’t controlled for to infer a non-causal link between this non-correlation.

The L.A. Times article Dawdy quote is a good start to rebutting the report’s claims. The article appeals to relevant experts who question the claim that pot use can cause depression.

But there’s better evidence. The White House cites two studies to support its causal claims: one showing that people who start to smoke pot are 4 times as likely to have developed depression as those who never start smoking; and one showing that early pot use is a significant predictor of later major depressive disorder.

I think neither study guarantees causation. In the former study, depressive episodes may have caused pot use. In the latter study, those prone to depressive disorder may be more likely to try drugs. Again, appealing to correlations alone isn’t enough to support strong causal claims–on either side of this issue.

I agree neither study guarantees causation. It is important for people to consider when reading reports by the “White House” or DEA, that emotional appeal is incorporated. The use of “pathos” can deliver fear vs fact. Government agencies utilize these with regards to the public.

A part of me also holds true to the disease concept of addiction. Any copious amount of any substance, causes Mental/Physical episodes. Marijuana is currently highly diverse in TCH Content, so side effects vary drastically. Recently there have been hospitalizations from marijuana: Including Paranoia, Panic/Anxiety Attack, etc. This is a modern influx. Marijuana triggers many similar dopamine receptors as Alcohol, it depresses the central nervous system…I cant doubt smoking causes depression?

There probably is not causal relationship between pot and depression. There might be a correlation between those using pot as an escape (which I’m assuming, as someone who has never used pot, most pot-users do) and their depression.

I have heard from some people suffering from depression and anxiety that cannabis helps calm their agitation and irritable mood states more effectively than relaxation techniques or benzodiazepines. There’s always a self-medication aspect to be thought about in any investigation into drug use and mental illness.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Does long-term use of pot cause depression (me thinks yes) or are depressed people more likely to smoke a lot of pot (me thinks yes). Only over time abstinent can a valid diagnosis on the person be made. Either the depression goes away soon after the user stops using, or it gets worse and stays bad.

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