The great debatable weed
Over the past few years the debate over this common weed has grown more and more intense, and the fact is there are an incredible amount of myths and downright lies out there about marijuana, both supporting making it legal and opposed to it. In light of the vote to legalize the drug in Breckenridge, Colorado, it appears to be a good time to take a good objective look at marijuana, and the health benefits and risks associated with the drug according to published research.
In the United States there is a significant dearth of clinical studies fueled by both its illegal status and by concerns of liability by legal types. However, research in other countries and opinions put forth in some medical circles two things seem to be more and more evident that a lot of the anti-pot propaganda is just that a combination of myth, supposition, and fear without any clinical basis. Marijuana has some serious health issues that should not be over looked but compared with some legal substances it is relatively tame.
According to Joshua Levine of Askmen.com there is no clinical evidence of anyone dying from a marijuana overdose. Tests performed on mice have shown that the ratio of cannabinoids (the chemicals in marijuana that make you high) necessary for overdose to the amount necessary for intoxication is 40,000:1. For comparison's sake, that ratio for alcohol is generally between 4:1 and 10:1. Alcohol overdoses claim approximately 5,000 casualties yearly, but marijuana overdoses have no documented direct links to death by overdose. There are in fairness significant evidence of marijuana cigarettes tainted with other substances that have caused death, much of this is due to the illegal status of the drug and the lack of quality control and inspections afforded other legal substances. This does not suggest that it is not possible to OD from marijuana, in truth it is possible to die of water intoxication
Marijuana is considered a psychoactive drug. It stimulates specific brain receptors, but there is no published clinical evidence that marijuana destroys brain cells. In fact, two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1977 showed no brain damage (Co, B.T., Goodwin, D.W., Gado, M., Mikhael, M., and Hill, S.Y.: "Absence of cerebral atrophy in chronic cannabis users", JAMA, 237:1229-1230, 1977; and, Kuehnle, J., Mendelson, J.H., Davis, K.R., and New, P.F.J.: "Computed tomographic examination of heavy marijuana smokers", JAMA, 237:1231-1232, 1977). It appears that despite the fact that it does stimulate brain receptors it does not produce toxins that kill them (like alcohol. Following the publications, , the American Medical Association (AMA) officially announced its support for the decriminalization of marijuana. http://www.drugtext.org/sub/marmyt1.html
Studies suggest that marijuana does impair short-term memory. A study performed in 2001 by Pope indicated some persistent impairment of short-term memory from heavy marijuana smokers, up to 6 and 12 weeks following abstinence.
Smoking marijuana has the potential to cause both bronchitis and cancer of the lungs, throat, and neck, but this is generally no different than inhaling any other burnt carbon-containing matter since they all increase the number of lesions (and therefore possible infections) in your airways. Because inhaling burning smoke of any kind has significant negative effects on the lungs. There is no reliable study comparing tobacco and marijuana in this respect, but again because of the illegal status and lack of quality control marijuana may contain additives and does not contain a filter, it seems reasonable to assume the unfiltered smoke may have significant health risks on its own.
Marijuana was long thought to be a gateway drug to the use of harder drug, but studies show that when the Dutch partially legalized marijuana in the 70's, heroin and cocaine use substantially declined, despite a slight increase in marijuana use.
Some conclusions we can reasonably make based on available evidence are as follows:
- Because smoked marijuana contains a variety of combustion compounds, it can damage the lungs and possibly the immune system. Several health committees recommended the development of an inhalation device that delivers pure THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana -- to the lungs, but such a device has not yet been created.
- There is some evidence -- but no scientifically valid studies -- that marijuana is useful in treating some forms of epilepsy and spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis.
- Some studies show that smoked marijuana is effective for some patients in relieving nausea caused by cancer and chemotherapy.
- There is evidence that marijuana may improve the appetite and help patients gain weight. This could be lifesaving for AIDS patients who develop wasting , a severe weight-loss condition.
- Smoking this or any other plant has significant health related risks, but if the product was quality controlled and filtered as with cigarettes, it appears that the health risks would not be any greater than that of tobacco smoking.
- Marijuana use does produce intoxication and impairs judgment during intoxication just as with alcohol , but it appears that the negative affects associated with intoxication with alcohol last much longer than those associated with marijuana use. There has also been shown to be less violent tendencies than with alcohol.
Personally, I am not a user and do not consume much alcohol and don’t smoke. I teach health related classes at the college level, and based on studies that I have seen, I believe marijuana should be decriminalized as it appears to be as safe or safer than alcohol or tobacco. There does not appear to be any compelling evidence for the price we pay as a society for criminalizing and trying to enforce a law that is largely without merit and is unenforceable.
Comments
Hear hear!
Cannabis being illegal has nothing to do with how it affects us. Cannabis is illegal because billionaires want to remain billionaires. If the Hemp Industry was aloud in America it would put multiple industries at risk of profit loss. Big Pharma drugs like Xanex, Vicodin, Oxycotin are legal drugs if this generation. We can't have big Pharma loosing money because people can grow medicine or have a way safer vice. The Cotton industry would be crippled. The paper industry would be crippled. We still kill trees!! I smoke and will smoke legal or not. Having Hemp tied in with Marijuana is asinine. This is a plant that has more resources than most people know. We the people should legalize not the government. If you want to go by how America was built we need to vote to legalize.. We tell the government what to do. Or at least thats the way it should be. Most American's are pussies and can't wipe their own butt. They want the government to hold there hand across the street.
Decent article, however there is some information that is incorrect: there has never been a case of lung cancer from JUST marijuana (this doesn't mean it's impossible, only that patients who smoked marijuana also smoked cigarettes). Also there are recent studies that show NO correlation between smoking marijuana and head and neck cancers (in fact, there are many studies showing marijuana has properties that ATTACK cancer cells)
Marijuana, be it goor for you or bad for you, I as an American ADULT should have the right to make my own choice!!!!
Everywhere I look I see more and more people recognizing the indisputable fact that the prohibition against cannabis is a complete failure. Its continued myopic prosecution by law enforcement is a symptom of institutional insanity. Another noble experiment with serious, unintended, and often deadly consequences. Cannabis prohibition has introduced more people to cannabis than if the prohibitionist had just left it alone and not said anything about it. I can almost hear Anslinger twirling in his grave. Serves him right!
Good article, Mr. Carter. As a followup, your readers might find it interesting to learn how marijuana came to be illegal. (Short version: corporate lobbyists with a profit motive.)
Looking forward to reading more from you about massive government waste pursuing users of this benign substance.
Despite you having a good point its relatively inaccurate. The reason herb is illegal is due to the fact that for the most part the people that make the decisions are old as hell. With that said there stuck in their way most people are creatures of habit, they’re afraid of change. As for the billionaires, there rich for a reason they understand how to exploit anything to make a buck, that’s the American way. Want proof? Find one major corporation that sells just one product. With that said as more open minded people get into those positions of power it’s going to be legal, these no stopping it. Once again the proof is that every passing year, more and more cities are legalizing it. The close by citys will have to do so eventually due to loss of revenue. Anyway honestly I’m baked right now and just wanted to put in my two cents. Props to those who made it through all the rambling.
"Because smoked marijuana contains a variety of combustion compounds, it can damage the lungs and possibly the immune system. Several health committees recommended the development of an inhalation device that delivers pure THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana -- to the lungs, but such a device has not yet been created."
This device has already been created, it is called the vaporizer and the public needs to know about it.
Right now we are installing 900 new prison beds and hiring 150 new correction officers every 2 weeks. Here in the “land of the free” for the first time in history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison. 2,319,258 Americans were incarcerated at the start of 2008. The United States now incarcerates more people than any other nation on earth, more than even far more populous communist China. Over half of our federal prisoners are serving time for a drug offense. Largely because of the drug war, arresting Americans is becoming big business. We now have companies attempting to privatize our penal systems. These companies are huge supporters of drug prohibition and any other laws that cause Americans to be incarcerated. The more Americans behind bars, the more money they get from the government.
End the madness, LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!
Google " Just Say Know to the drug war "
Many big corporations that see marijuana as competition contribute heavily to promoting marijuana prohibition. Alcohol, tobacco, petroleum, cotton, timber, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, just to name a few and of course the government contributes billions every year to keep their prohibition cash cow alive and well. I’ve seen estimates that contributions toward drug prohibition may be as much as 1 million dollars per day. However, once people learn the truth about the issues they overwhelmingly are in favor of revising drug policy. That’s why 13 states have passed medical marijuana laws already and several have decriminalized. I’m sure you saw the news that the feds revised their policy about prosecuting medical marijuana patients that are in compliance with state laws. That’s a huge step in the right direction. It proves when enough voters take action rational progress toward regulation and away from prohibition is being made.
Did you know since November 1, 2005 it has been LEGAL in Denver Colorado for adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use?
I'm sure you are trying to present an objective assessment, but you are far from complete. For example, in Science Daily:
ScienceDaily (Feb. 3, 2009) — Adolescents and young adults who are heavy users of marijuana are more likely than non-users to have disrupted brain development, according to a new study. Pediatric researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain that interconnect brain regions involved in memory, attention, decision-making, language and executive functioning skills. The findings are of particular concern because adolescence is a crucial period for brain development and maturation.
Also, you did not touch on addiction. Marijuana can be addictive and more so to younger users. It is correlated with poor grades and dropping out of school. Most people start using marijuana when underage and their brains are still developing. I hope you do more research on the effects of marijuana because there are many more studies like this out there.
I appreciate the good comments and the constructive criticisms, there is so much research on this topic, most overseas, that it is impossible to have all of it covered in one article, but I will continue to look for findings and will publish another article soon, thanks for the support.
You need to read "Marijuana is Safer", this book debunks all marijuana myths and shows how much safer it is than alcohol, The book cites hundreds of research articles and if it was mainstream everyone would realize how far off they are on their marijuana beliefs.
Also, you said that Marijuana can be harful to the lungs, but did you know UCLA released a study that said it DOES NOT cause lung caner....again read the book, actually educate yourself.
soo true!
May I invite you to run a search on "Granny Storm Crow's list- July 2009"? It is my compilation of cannabis studies and articles and is available at several forums. I think you will appreciate it- it's very interesting reading. Anyone wanting a free copy of my list can get one by emailing me at i.wantgrannyslist(at)greenpassion.org Thank you.
Legalizing marijuana = WIN
I’m disgusted by the idea that my taxes are spent arresting marijuana users while violent criminals roam free, and I’m sick of the idea that the criminal drug cartels might try to get my kids involved in drugs just for the money.
Licensing, taxing, and regulating the distribution of marijuana is the surest way to put the criminal drug dealers out of business and protect our children from the money-hungry criminal element. It’s time to protect our children and take the marijuana business out of the hands of criminals. License, tax, and regulate the marijuana business.
And while we’re at it, let’s find a way to pull the revenue-hungry public policy in the right direction on personal cultivation (i.e., let’s get past the “you can’t tax it because people will just grow their own” argument). Let’s implement a personal cultivation permit. Limit the size of the growing area or the number of plants, and put a small user-fee on it to cover administrative costs, something like a fishing lice
I have heard the argument that smoking pot contributes to crime. People in South America and here being killed for drug money etc..
Hmmmm? I have a no brainer for that argument. If we decriminalized marijuana wouldn't most users just grow their own and eliminate the drug cartel aspect? Simple isn't it? Just eliminate the market for foreign drugs. Wouldn't this lessen the burden on our penal system also? Like killing two birds with one stoned!! (sorry)
legalize it
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