This is definitely off-topic, bust just a few (hopefully) short comments:
OTOH, cannabis (another widely growing plant) is considered "bad" because ... well, why?? In 4000 years of documented use, with millions of recreational (i.e. non-knotting) uses each year, the death toll (not to mention the LD/50) stands at ZERO.
That is a ususal, and sometimes even (hopefully not by you, though) intentional fault in argumentation: Just looking at toxic effects and disregarding psychoactive effects. Cannabis is very low-toxic, but highly psychoactive. I will not go into long and tedious detail, just quote from an Arabian 13:th century script (that is some 800+ years ago, folks...
): "They who use hascheesh are unfit to do business and ride camels, as their minds are slow and numbed" (To the best of my knowledge, the death toll of LSD intoxication is also zero, but LSD does have a few other side effects instead of being toxic
)
Note to Lasse_C: Isn't it possible that the psychological problems your patients suffer might be caused by exactly this incomprehensible incongruity in Values?? I see it and it seems plain to me, but I'm not "in it" like you are.
Sorry, I do not quite follow you here, you are welcome to explain.
Basically, I see their anorexia, suicidal/parasuicidal activities, etc, and their highly destructive alcohol/drug use as two aspects of the same self destructive behaviour. The causes of that, in turn, is usually rather complex.
Let me also repeat, and hopefully clarify: I merely wanted to state my humble opinion that from the point in space & time where
I stand, and the experiences
I have, jokes about addiction is not in good taste, and comparing an interest in knotting to addiction makes
me feel utterly uncomfortable. I
NEVER had any intention to "whip" anyone by stating my opinion! (On the other hand I find it hard to see that I should get "whipped" for having stated my opinion, either! OK?)
As far as I am concerned that issue is hereby closed.
Lasse