Arguments to explain why you use marijuana to your father?

My dad wrote me an email explaining why I shouldn't use marijuana. Can you think of any other arguments to refute my father?

My Email So Far

I realize that the odds of a good outcome at only .9 to .1 are not good odds. However, the odds of death or other detrimental things are not what is being proven or reported. What is known, are the odds of addiction. When I look at other people who use marijuana, I would agree that around 10% are addicted. The 10% that are addicted, are addicted to other things too. Addiction is caused by genetic predisposition and poor coping skills. Genetics can't be controlled. This is why some people are addicted to coffee and coca cola. They are addicted to caffeine.

I remember your somewhat peculiar friends, Mr. and Mrs. XXXXXXX, not having a microwave in their home. Their reasoning was: when people started using microwaves, they started getting cancer. While microwaves have been around since 1946, there is still little research (let alone evidence) linking them to cancer. Regardless of whether there is any truth in their reasoning or not, they were willing to sacrifice the luxury of heating food instantly to reduce their risk of cancer. You make decisions the same way everyday. Regardless of the odds of people who drive to those who don't and percentage of people who are seriously injured or even killed, you favor the risk of being in a car accident as opposed to moving, walking or cycling to work each morning. You could look at cell phone use and radiation the same way.

Largely because of you and Mom, I'm not addicted to anything and I have coping skills. Because of this, I see my odds of addiction lowered significantly enough to dismiss concern.

I'm thankful that mom sacrificed for me. However, I don't understand how using marijuana dishonors her sacrifice or disrespects her. I have only found two proven side affects of using marijuana; a slightly lowered immune system and an increased heart rate. Neither of which outweigh the benefits of using marijuana.

It is no secret that XXXXX(sister1) likes to drink. While shes pregnant, she stops drinking. After shes not pregnant, she stops drinking. Let's suppose XXXX(niece1) grows up and chooses to drink. XXXXXsister1 won't accuse XXXXniec1 of being disrespectful or dishonoring her. XXXXXsister1 realizes that it was important for her to stop drinking while pregnant with XXXXniece1 so that she doesn't have any birth defects. XXXXXsister1 also realizes that XXXXniece1 deciding to drink and starve a few brain cells is completely irrelevant to the sacrifice she made for her.

I respect your decision to not drink alcohol. Marijuana can be used in the same way that the people you know use alcohol. Perhaps a glass of wine with dinner each night? I have seen negative outcomes from marijuana addiction in fathers, students and children. I have also seen positive outcomes of marijuana use in professors, friends and adults.

Tobacco will never be illegal because the government makes too much money from taxing it. The government allows cigarettes to be sold legally despite their known cause of cancer and ultimate death. Cigarettes aren't justified by the tolerance of the government because my health is not the governments priority and I don't entrust them with it.

The government has made marijuana illegal for reasons that have nothing to do with the health of citizens. In the same way that legalizing tobacco doesn't justify smoking it, illegalizing marijuana doesn't prohibit using it. Thanks for the information on marijuana and the effects it may have on careers. I was fortunate enough to have my instance expunged from my record but I did face financial repercussions. I would have made a more educated decision if you had shared these consequences with me when I was around 16, but I understood the consequences well enough and am not blaming you by any means. I have learned from my mistakes and I'm thankful for the experiences.

I personally have never heard marijuana referred to as "dope" by anyone who has used it. While cocaine, methamphetamines and heroin fit the slang definition, I do not use marijuana to induce euphoria or satisfy addiction.
dopeShow IPA noun, verb, doped, dop·ing. noun 1. any thick liquid or pasty preparation, as a lubricant, used inpreparing a surface. 2. an absorbent material used to absorb and hold a liquid, as inthe manufacture of dynamite. 3. Aeronautics . a. any of various varnishlike products for coating a fabric,as of airplane wings, in order to make it waterproof,stronger, etc. b. a similar product used to coat the fabric of a balloon toreduce gas leakage. 4. Slang a. any narcotic or narcoticlike drug taken to induce euphoria or satisfy addiction. b. any illicit drug. 5. Slang . a narcotic preparation given surreptitiously to a horseto improve or retard its performance in a race. In conclusion, the risks of using marijuana are not high enough to not use it. Using it is not unwise or immature. There is a quote by Dr. Drew that states, "Addiction is defined by the consequences."

I have already talked about marijuana with all of my sisters. Marijuana can be used medicinally for psychological purposes(hence medicinal legalizing in California), especially with disorders caused during childhood. Personally, it has helped me become less bitter towards you and mom and less narcissistic; i think it may help XXXXXX(sister2) too in same of the same ways it helped me. (sister2) views marijuana much like you view alcohol - some people use it occasionally, good for them, I tried it and won't use it anymore. XXXXX(sister3) thinks that if the drug THC found in marijuana, if medicinally needed, can be obtained in the pill Marinol, then it should be prescribed by doctors (who can't prescribe it because it's illegal unless you live in California). I think XXXX(sister4) is far too young to use marijuana, but has already tried it, despite my disapproval. I think she has stopped, now sees the danger of addiction and is wiser then her friends but I still pray for her.

Because most of the information about my sisters was given to me in confidence, I ask that you share none of it with mom.

I realize that my younger brothers look up to me and that my thoughts and actions influence them. I cannot promise you that they will never use marijuana. I will promise you that I will never ask them to use marijuana. My only hope is that once they are old enough, they are educated enough to make an informed decision for themselves.

Your Son, XXXXX

Fathers Email

I realize that as a young, invincible guy you will look at many of the possible dangers and say that the research says that there’s only a 10% of this, that, or the other bad outcome. Put another way, the chance of a good outcome is 90%. Try taking that 90% or .9 to the fifth power to see the chances of not having any of five bad outcomes. The odds get pretty poor.

Also, you need to remember your mother. When she went through pregnancy, labor, and delivery, she had the chance to take a number of drugs to ease her pain and discomfort. The drugs were all safe, with only an insignificant chance of any adverse effects. She flat-out refused them all, because she wasn’t willing to take even a one in a million chance with one of her babies. Not very many mothers care that much about their children. You do her a great disservice and you dishonor her sacrifice if you don’t respect your body the way she does.

This is why your mother and I refuse to drink alcohol. Biblically, it is not sinful. Many Christians drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks and I am glad that they enjoy it. As for your mother and me, each of us has seen the very bad results of drinking as both of our fathers drank far too much. As a result, we chose to forego the pleasures of alcohol, rather than take the very small chance that it could harm us or our marriage. Any chance other than zero was one we did not want to take.

Practically speaking, there are potential problems. You may not have to go to jail or pay a huge fine, but marijuana is illegal. If it goes on your record you may eliminate a lot of potential future employment and other opportunities. The government and many employers won’t even consider hiring someone with a record, even if it was only smoking marijuana and it took place 10 or 15 years ago.

In conclusion, the chances of serious consequences, physical or otherwise, are very small. The probability is non-zero, however. I don’t think taking that chance is very wise or mature. There used to be a TV commercial against drugs that ended with the line, “Why do you think they call it dope?”

We’ll be praying for you, as I know it is not an easy decision. I will also ask you to discuss it with your older sisters. You could also talk to your younger siblings to see what they think. Remember, they all look up to you, especially (brother1)XXXXX.