While i am in favor of legalized cannabis, i think it is a bit naive to think that there will not be deleterious consequences of such a policy. Increased rates of cancer for smokers (eat it!), increased auto accident rates, etc. But one has to compare this to the cost of enforcing an unpopular law - increased incarceration rates, decreased freedom, etc.
If nothing else, adding a new drug to the litany of legalized ones could benefit from our history. This can be done by clearly labeling cannabis as a carcinogen (something tobacco fought far too long!) and a public ad campaign against driving high.
We can use the Netherlands as an example. They have rather nice Cafes there. . .
Posted by wolf on May 18, 2006 at 8:23 AM
—wolf
While many find it logical to assume marijuana smoke causes cancer, the fact is, it does not. Out of the 25 million people who smoke pot on the planet, NO ONE has developed cancer from it. The worst effect is a mild throat and lung irritation, and for heavy smokers, perhaps bronchitis. As you pointed out, even these minor irritations can be avoided by consuming it in other ways, the best probably being vaporization.
While marijuana does alter consciousness, it may have some effect on driving, but the big difference from alcohol is that marijuana consumers are AWARE of their altered state and drive more slowly and cautiously to compensate for it. Some studies have shown marijuana consumers are safer drivers (with less accidents) than straight drivers. Plus, there are many prescription drugs which cause far more impairment.
A General Response To The Article:
A MODERN DAY WITCH HUNT
Why not regulate marijuana like alcohol? Every major study has shown marijuana is non-addictive and less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.
See: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/studies.htm
In fact, deaths from alcohol are around 400,000 per year with tobacco more than that. Add the carnage alcohol causes in traffic accidents and alcohol fueled violence and the numbers are staggering.
Now, deaths from marijuana - ZERO. That’s right. No recorded deaths from marijuana in its entire history.
To treat marijuana consumption more strictly than alcohol is one of the greatest travesties of justice that exists. In fact, it is a monstrously destructive fraud that brands over 700,000 U.S. citizens with a criminal record EACH YEAR!
Why do we still have this barbaric persecution? Because police and politicians build their careers and empires on it. Because industries like alcohol and pharmaceuticals don’t want the competition. Because other interests like the drug treatment/testing industry and the prison industries depend on it for their life’s blood. And because government uses marijuana prohibition as a means of controlling minorities and the poor.
There NEVER was a good reason for marijuana prohibition.
See: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm
We must end this horrible travesty of justice in order to save millions of innocent people and restore respect for law enforcement who we have made the Inquisitors in this disastrous witch hunt.
Posted by john.thomas on May 18, 2006 at 9:42 AM
Reader Comments
While i am in favor of legalized cannabis, i think it is a bit naive to think that there will not be deleterious consequences of such a policy. Increased rates of cancer for smokers (eat it!), increased auto accident rates, etc. But one has to compare this to the cost of enforcing an unpopular law - increased incarceration rates, decreased freedom, etc.
If nothing else, adding a new drug to the litany of legalized ones could benefit from our history. This can be done by clearly labeling cannabis as a carcinogen (something tobacco fought far too long!) and a public ad campaign against driving high.
We can use the Netherlands as an example. They have rather nice Cafes there. . .
Posted by wolf on May 18, 2006 at 8:23 AM
—wolf
While many find it logical to assume marijuana smoke causes cancer, the fact is, it does not. Out of the 25 million people who smoke pot on the planet, NO ONE has developed cancer from it. The worst effect is a mild throat and lung irritation, and for heavy smokers, perhaps bronchitis. As you pointed out, even these minor irritations can be avoided by consuming it in other ways, the best probably being vaporization.
While marijuana does alter consciousness, it may have some effect on driving, but the big difference from alcohol is that marijuana consumers are AWARE of their altered state and drive more slowly and cautiously to compensate for it. Some studies have shown marijuana consumers are safer drivers (with less accidents) than straight drivers. Plus, there are many prescription drugs which cause far more impairment.
A General Response To The Article:
A MODERN DAY WITCH HUNT
Why not regulate marijuana like alcohol? Every major study has shown marijuana is non-addictive and less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.
See: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/studies.htm
In fact, deaths from alcohol are around 400,000 per year with tobacco more than that. Add the carnage alcohol causes in traffic accidents and alcohol fueled violence and the numbers are staggering.
Now, deaths from marijuana - ZERO. That’s right. No recorded deaths from marijuana in its entire history.
To treat marijuana consumption more strictly than alcohol is one of the greatest travesties of justice that exists. In fact, it is a monstrously destructive fraud that brands over 700,000 U.S. citizens with a criminal record EACH YEAR!
Why do we still have this barbaric persecution? Because police and politicians build their careers and empires on it. Because industries like alcohol and pharmaceuticals don’t want the competition. Because other interests like the drug treatment/testing industry and the prison industries depend on it for their life’s blood. And because government uses marijuana prohibition as a means of controlling minorities and the poor.
There NEVER was a good reason for marijuana prohibition.
See: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm
We must end this horrible travesty of justice in order to save millions of innocent people and restore respect for law enforcement who we have made the Inquisitors in this disastrous witch hunt.
Posted by john.thomas on May 18, 2006 at 9:42 AM
I suspect that Marinol and Cesamet have more to do with this “finding” than any actual scientific investigation.
Posted by ob1quixote on May 18, 2006 at 2:48 PM
“Isn
Posted by sequ0yah on May 18, 2006 at 3:46 PM
A simple two step solution to multiple problems…
1. Use pro-choice logic
Posted by whattheheck on May 19, 2006 at 9:59 AM