I've read heard that pot causes Schizophrenia from the original cult film to statistical data that merely counted the amount of people who had the condition AND a history with Cannabis.
There was no coloration being made for those treating their condition.
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Sort of related. When I was in University our Prof brought several people into our Psych class for a lecture/presentation type thing where the guests would explain the mental illness they suffered from and tell their stories.
There was a man there who had Schizophrenia among other things; He was 100% adamant that if it wasn't for the single time he had used MJ in his life he would NOT have developed the condition. He pinpointed the night he smoked weed as the cause for his mental illness. That was the night it all changed for him. I found it hard to believe but I definitely can say that HE believes it to be true. He spent a great deal of time "informing" us of the dangers of cannabis.
Despite this man having the genetics, family history of mental illness, other mental health conditions, heavily using other drugs both over the counter and street; he blamed one night with marijuana. But he really believed it..
I found it very interesting that despite having other factors in his life that are known to have a link to the condition he still chose to focus on MJ. I have always wondered; if it wasn't for the propaganda would MJ have affected him so severely for so long? Did the fear of reefer madness change what might have been a positive night for him? I dunno..
But because of the misinformation spread by anti-cannabis propaganda, we'll never know for sure. It tainted the whole experience with negativity and fear from the very beginning so it could never be an honest one for him. To him, as soon as he accidentally smoked the "devil herb", his life was over.
It doesn't really matter what the science says if someone honestly believes the fear like that.. I wonder how many other people have had their lives altered by this deceit. That's why I feel places like the VA are so important to the community and to me. We need stories of real people living their lives freely and happily with cannabis to fight this propaganda. Charts and tests just won't convince some people the same way a smiling neighbour can.