Drugs - What do you think is acceptable, where is the line?

[TheP0PE]

Why not just heavily enforce new laws similar to the ones already in effect on alcohol? I feel it is about the same, but not knowing firsthand either of them, doesn't add much help

 

Typically what I see, at least with the people at my school, is that most of the kids who are doing the drugs (I am kind of an eavesdropper, but the drugs I have heard about are only weed, and surprisingly mushrooms) aren't in the top 50% of the class, and are typically getting into trouble. I'm not saying this is what tends to be the aftermath of the drugs, because not all of them are terribly bad, but just pointing out the facts. It also really comes down to how intellectual they were before, and I never knew any of them well enough to find that out.

 

Honestly, if you want to spend your money on something that wont last much time at all, then it is your loss.

[ginnyfizz]

Hold on what?

 

 

Who said weed makes you a under achiever? There is no long term proof for weed brain damage that I know of, that doesn't make sense to say that based on short term effects.

If someone showed up to a job interview stoned like you claimed, they would have been arrested...

 

 

nor do they care that the government is effectively paying for their weed by giving them their dole money.

 

This is for another debate, BUT SERIOUSLY?

 

 

I think your misinformed about the long term effects of weed, it won't make you a under achiever, the main drug that does that is alcohol. A lot of drunks get unemployed, a larger number of drunks get unemployed then stoners.

 

If its ruining peoples lives, that's their choice. We could spend tax dollars on real education programs and not just "DRUGZ R BAD DO NOT DO THEM OR COPS NO LEIK U" kind of thing.

 

I speak of what I see with my own eyes. I SEE these kids every day, and what most of them have in common is a long term use of weed, like they might be eighteen years old and been smoking it regularly for six years. It makes them chilled to the point of comatose with habitual use and they exhibit couldn't care less attitude to both school work, hence emerge barely able to read and write, AND getting a job. Why bother, they think, when they are getting sixty quid a week dole money which feeds their habit (hence the taxpayer/government IS paying for it) and indulgent parents whom they live with who let them. They are demotivated and cannot, frankly, get off their butts to do anything. Sorry, but that is under achieving in anybody's book. The study by Professor Iverson of Oxford University, on whom I base my views, specifically stated that whilst certain parts of the argument as to the harmful effects of cannabis were moot, eg the chicken and egg situation of did the psychosis come before or after the weed, what had shown very clearly from his research was that long term usersof weed were likely to underachieve and have lower incomes. Seriously, I have had one of the little loves actually say to me outright "Why the *&£@ should I get a job when I can get my dole money and then go and smoke and go on my XBox all day?"

 

Oh, and

(1) I am not interviewing these kids for a job, I am trying to make a training plan for them which includes finding out their barriers to employment. Being off your face most of the time counts there. I have to get them over that and make them presentable to an employer.

(2) turning up stoned for a job interview is not actually an arrestable offence in the UK, you just wouldn't get the job, which in some cases is precisely why they would do it. It's only if you were daft enough to actually light a spliff in the interview, or have your stash fall out of your pocket in front of the interviewer, that would make you liable for arrest for possession.

(3) I have no authority to make them turn out their pockets to see if they have any weed on them, although I have asked them to when the smell is pretty obvious.

 

And yes, I do have a fair few alcoholics to deal with as well. But there IS a difference - alcohol is legal and even many of the alcoholics will acknowledge that it is harmful (whether or not they care about that is another matter), whereas in the case of weed here are people trying to say, whilst making a case for legalization, that weed is pretty well innocuous and causes no long term damage. It isn't and it does. This is why I say, in the argument for legalizing drugs, we need to carefully consider the harm and the costs alongside the benefits.

[Turian3]

In my experiance my marijuna use has not effected me negativly academically or physically. Now granted I don't smoke everyday however I believe i do enough to constitute regular use. It is absolutely outrageous that this plant is illegal when alchoel is not. As long as no one is being hurt then I say legalize all drugs. If these substances were all sold in safe and regulated enviroments it is very likely that many problems associated with drug use would go down, like crime. A truley free society can not control what substances people put in there body.

[UrbanViking]

Weed (cant spell scientific word properly) is safer than alchohol actually i havent taken it so i dont know if its worth it but it isnt as much a health risk as drinking (just saying)

[heavywaters]

Weed has NEVER killed a single person and IS less harmful to your health than cigarettes.

 

Sorry, but that in particular is an absolute load of bullsh**. Weed smoked in the same amounts as cigarettes is WAY worse for you. By this I mean that smoking 10 joints in a day for example is *far* worse for you than smoking 10 cigarettes in a day, especially since you can get cigarettes with filters. Joints and bowls don't have filters. It's one thing to support the legalization of weed and other rec drugs. I get that. But don't spout nonsense such as weed is better for you than cigarettes. That is quite untrue.

Bullsh** on you, before crying foul you should check some facts...

 

The list of 599 additives approved by the US Government for use in the manufacture of cigarettes. Submitted by the five major American cigarette companies to the Dept. of Health and Human Services in April of 1994, this list of ingredients had long been kept a secret.

 

 

# Acetanisole

# Acetic Acid

# Acetoin

# Acetophenone

# 6-Acetoxydihydrotheaspirane

# 2-Acetyl-3- Ethylpyrazine

# 2-Acetyl-5-Methylfuran

# Acetylpyrazine

# 2-Acetylpyridine

# 3-Acetylpyridine

# 2-Acetylthiazole

# Aconitic Acid

# dl-Alanine

# Alfalfa Extract

# Allspice Extract,Oleoresin, and Oil

# Allyl Hexanoate

# Allyl Ionone

# Almond Bitter Oil

# Ambergris Tincture

# Ammonia

# Ammonium Bicarbonate

# Ammonium Hydroxide

# Ammonium Phosphate Dibasic

# Ammonium Sulfide

# Amyl Alcohol

# Amyl Butyrate

# Amyl Formate

# Amyl Octanoate

# alpha-Amylcinnamaldehyde

# Amyris Oil

# trans-Anethole

# Angelica Root Extract, Oil and Seed Oil

# Anise

# Anise Star, Extract and Oils

# Anisyl Acetate

# Anisyl Alcohol

# Anisyl Formate

# Anisyl Phenylacetate

# Apple Juice Concentrate, Extract, and Skins

# Apricot Extract and Juice Concentrate

# 1-Arginine

# Asafetida Fluid Extract And Oil

# Ascorbic Acid

# 1-Asparagine Monohydrate

# 1-Aspartic Acid

# Balsam Peru and Oil

# Basil Oil

# Bay Leaf, Oil and Sweet Oil

# Beeswax White

# Beet Juice Concentrate

# Benzaldehyde

# Benzaldehyde Glyceryl Acetal

# Benzoic Acid, Benzoin

# Benzoin Resin

# Benzophenone

# Benzyl Alcohol

# Benzyl Benzoate

# Benzyl Butyrate

# Benzyl Cinnamate

# Benzyl Propionate

# Benzyl Salicylate

# Bergamot Oil

# Bisabolene

# Black Currant Buds Absolute

# Borneol

# Bornyl Acetate

# Buchu Leaf Oil

# 1,3-Butanediol

# 2,3-Butanedione

# 1-Butanol

# 2-Butanone

# 4(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One

# Butter, Butter Esters, and Butter Oil

# Butyl Acetate

# Butyl Butyrate

# Butyl Butyryl Lactate

# Butyl Isovalerate

# Butyl Phenylacetate

# Butyl Undecylenate

# 3-Butylidenephthalide

# Butyric Acid]

# Cadinene

# Caffeine

# Calcium Carbonate

# Camphene

# Cananga Oil

# Capsicum Oleoresin

# Caramel Color

# Caraway Oil

# Carbon Dioxide

# Cardamom Oleoresin, Extract, Seed Oil, and Powder

# Carob Bean and Extract

# beta-Carotene

# Carrot Oil

# Carvacrol

# 4-Carvomenthenol

# 1-Carvone

# beta-Caryophyllene

# beta-Caryophyllene Oxide

# Cascarilla Oil and Bark Extract

# Cassia Bark Oil

# Cassie Absolute and Oil

# Castoreum Extract, Tincture and Absolute

# Cedar Leaf Oil

# Cedarwood Oil Terpenes and Virginiana

# Cedrol

# Celery Seed Extract, Solid, Oil, And Oleoresin

# Cellulose Fiber

# Chamomile Flower Oil And Extract

# Chicory Extract

# Chocolate

# Cinnamaldehyde

# Cinnamic Acid

# Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Bark Oil, and Extract

# Cinnamyl Acetate

# Cinnamyl Alcohol

# Cinnamyl Cinnamate

# Cinnamyl Isovalerate

# Cinnamyl Propionate

# Citral

# Citric Acid

# Citronella Oil

# dl-Citronellol

# Citronellyl Butyrate

# itronellyl Isobutyrate

# Civet Absolute

# Clary Oil

# Clover Tops, Red Solid Extract

# Cocoa

# Cocoa Shells, Extract, Distillate And Powder

# Coconut Oil

# Coffee

# Cognac White and Green Oil

# Copaiba Oil

# Coriander Extract and Oil

# Corn Oil

# Corn Silk

# Costus Root Oil

# Cubeb Oil

# Cuminaldehyde

# para-Cymene

# 1-Cysteine

# alpha,alpha Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate

# 2,3-Dimethylpyrazine

# 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine

# 2,6-Dimethylpyrazine

# Dimethyltetrahydrobenzofuranone

# delta-Dodecalactone

# gamma-Dodecalactone

# para-Ethoxybenzaldehyde

# Ethyl 10-Undecenoate

# Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate

# Ethyl Acetate

# Ethyl Acetoacetate

# Ethyl Alcohol

# Ethyl Benzoate

# Ethyl Butyrate

# Ethyl Cinnamate

# Ethyl Decanoate

# Ethyl Fenchol

# Ethyl Furoate

# Ethyl Heptanoate

# Ethyl Hexanoate

# Ethyl Isovalerate

# Ethyl Lactate

# Ethyl Laurate

# Ethyl Levulinate

# Ethyl Maltol

# Ethyl Methyl Phenylglycidate

# Ethyl Myristate

# Ethyl Nonanoate

# Ethyl Octadecanoate

# Ethyl Octanoate

# Ethyl Oleate

# Ethyl Palmitate

# Ethyl Phenylacetate

# Ethyl Propionate

# Ethyl Salicylate

# Ethyl trans-2-Butenoate

# Ethyl Valerate

# Ethyl Vanillin

# 2-Ethyl (or Methyl)-(3,5 and 6)-Methoxypyrazine

# 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol, 3-Ethyl -2 -Hydroxy-2-Cyclopenten-1-One

# 2-Ethyl-3, (5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine

# 5-Ethyl-3-Hydroxy-4-Methyl-2(5H)-Furanone

# 2-Ethyl-3-Methylpyrazine

# 4-Ethylbenzaldehyde

# 4-Ethylguaiacol

# para-Ethylphenol

# 3-Ethylpyridine

# Eucalyptol

# Farnesol

# D-Fenchone

# Fennel Sweet Oil

# Fenugreek, Extract, Resin, and Absolute

# Fig Juice Concentrate

# Food Starch Modified

# Furfuryl Mercaptan

# 4-(2-Furyl)-3-Buten-2-One

# Galbanum Oil

# Genet Absolute

# Gentian Root Extract

# Geraniol

# Geranium Rose Oil

# Geranyl Acetate

# Geranyl Butyrate

# Geranyl Formate

# Geranyl Isovalerate

# Geranyl Phenylacetate

# Ginger Oil and Oleoresin

# 1-Glutamic Acid

# 1-Glutamine

# Glycerol

# Glycyrrhizin Ammoniated

# Grape Juice Concentrate

# Guaiac Wood Oil

# Guaiacol

# Guar Gum

# 2,4-Heptadienal

# gamma-Heptalactone

# Heptanoic Acid

# 2-Heptanone

# 3-Hepten-2-One

# 2-Hepten-4-One

# 4-Heptenal

# trans -2-Heptenal

# Heptyl Acetate

# omega-6-Hexadecenlactone

# gamma-Hexalactone

# Hexanal

# Hexanoic Acid

# 2-Hexen-1-Ol

# 3-Hexen-1-Ol

# cis-3-Hexen-1-Yl Acetate

# 2-Hexenal

# 3-Hexenoic Acid

# trans-2-Hexenoic Acid

# cis-3-Hexenyl Formate

# Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate

# Hexyl Acetate

# Hexyl Alcohol

# Hexyl Phenylacetate

# 1-Histidine

# Honey

# Hops Oil

# Hydrolyzed Milk Solids

# Hydrolyzed Plant Proteins

# 5-Hydroxy-2,4-Decadienoic Acid delta- Lactone

# 4-Hydroxy-2,5-Dimethyl-3(2H)-Furanone

# 2-Hydroxy-3,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Cyclohexen-1-One

# 4-Hydroxy -3-Pentenoic Acid Lactone

# 2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzaldehyde

# 4-Hydroxybutanoic Acid Lactone

# Hydroxycitronellal

# 6-Hydroxydihydrotheaspirane

# 4-(para-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone

# Hyssop Oil

# Immortelle Absolute and Extract

# alpha-Ionone

# beta-Ionone

# alpha-Irone

# Isoamyl Acetate

# Isoamyl Benzoate

# Isoamyl Butyrate

# Isoamyl Cinnamate

# Isoamyl Formate, Isoamyl Hexanoate

# Isoamyl Isovalerate

# Isoamyl Octanoate

# Isoamyl Phenylacetate

# Isobornyl Acetate

# Isobutyl Acetate

# Isobutyl Alcohol

# Isobutyl Cinnamate

# Isobutyl Phenylacetate

# Isobutyl Salicylate

# 2-Isobutyl-3-Methoxypyrazine

# alpha-Isobutylphenethyl Alcohol

# Isobutyraldehyde

# Isobutyric Acid

# d,l-Isoleucine

# alpha-Isomethylionone

# 2-Isopropylphenol

# Isovaleric Acid

# Jasmine Absolute, Concrete and Oil

# Kola Nut Extract

# Labdanum Absolute and Oleoresin

# Lactic Acid

# Lauric Acid

# Lauric Aldehyde

# Lavandin Oil

# Lavender Oil

# Lemon Oil and Extract

# Lemongrass Oil

# 1-Leucine

# Levulinic Acid

# Licorice Root, Fluid, Extract and Powder

# Lime Oil

# Linalool

# Linalool Oxide

# Linalyl Acetate

# Linden Flowers

# Lovage Oil And Extract

# 1-Lysine]

# Mace Powder, Extract and Oil

# Magnesium Carbonate

# Malic Acid

# Malt and Malt Extract

# Maltodextrin

# Maltol

# Maltyl Isobutyrate

# Mandarin Oil

# Maple Syrup and Concentrate

# Mate Leaf, Absolute and Oil

# para-Mentha-8-Thiol-3-One

# Menthol

# Menthone

# Menthyl Acetate

# dl-Methionine

# Methoprene

# 2-Methoxy-4-Methylphenol

# 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol

# para-Methoxybenzaldehyde

# 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-1-Penten-3-One

# 4-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Butanone

# 1-(para-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propanone

# Methoxypyrazine

# Methyl 2-Furoate

# Methyl 2-Octynoate

# Methyl 2-Pyrrolyl Ketone

# Methyl Anisate

# Methyl Anthranilate

# Methyl Benzoate

# Methyl Cinnamate

# Methyl Dihydrojasmonate

# Methyl Ester of Rosin, Partially Hydrogenated

# Methyl Isovalerate

# Methyl Linoleate (48%)

# Methyl Linolenate (52%) Mixture

# Methyl Naphthyl Ketone

# Methyl Nicotinate

# Methyl Phenylacetate

# Methyl Salicylate

# Methyl Sulfide

# 3-Methyl-1-Cyclopentadecanone

# 4-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Pentanone

# 5-Methyl-2-Phenyl-2-Hexenal

# 5-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde

# 6-Methyl-3,-5-Heptadien-2-One

# 2-Methyl-3-(para-Isopropylphenyl) Propionaldehyde

# 5-Methyl-3-Hexen-2-One

# 1-Methyl-3Methoxy-4-Isopropylbenzene

# 4-Methyl-3-Pentene-2-One

# 2-Methyl-4-Phenylbutyraldehyde

# 6-Methyl-5-Hepten-2-One

# 4-Methyl-5-Thiazoleethanol

# 4-Methyl-5-Vinylthiazole

# Methyl-alpha-Ionone

# Methyl-trans-2-Butenoic Acid

# 4-Methylacetophenone

# para-Methylanisole

# alpha-Methylbenzyl Acetate

# alpha-Methylbenzyl Alcohol

# 2-Methylbutyraldehyde

# 3-Methylbutyraldehyde

# 2-Methylbutyric Acid

# alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde

# Methylcyclopentenolone

# 2-Methylheptanoic Acid

# 2-Methylhexanoic Acid

# 3-Methylpentanoic Acid

# 4-Methylpentanoic Acid

# 2-Methylpyrazine

# 5-Methylquinoxaline

# 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran-3-One

# (Methylthio)Methylpyrazine (Mixture Of Isomers)

# 3-Methylthiopropionaldehyde

# Methyl 3-Methylthiopropionate

# 2-Methylvaleric Acid

# Mimosa Absolute and Extract

# Molasses Extract and Tincture

# Mountain Maple Solid Extract

# Mullein Flowers

# Myristaldehyde

# Myristic Acid

# Myrrh Oil

# beta-Napthyl Ethyl Ether

# Nerol

# Neroli Bigarde Oil

# Nerolidol

# Nona-2-trans,6-cis-Dienal

# 2,6-Nonadien-1-Ol

# gamma-Nonalactone

# Nonanal

# Nonanoic Acid

# Nonanone

# trans-2-Nonen-1-Ol

# 2-Nonenal

# Nonyl Acetate

# Nutmeg Powder and Oil

# Oak Chips Extract and Oil

# Oak Moss Absolute

# 9,12-Octadecadienoic Acid (48%) And 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic Acid (52%)

# delta-Octalactone

# gamma-Octalactone

# Octanal

# Octanoic Acid

# 1-Octanol

# 2-Octanone

# 3-Octen-2-One

# 1-Octen-3-Ol

# 1-Octen-3-Yl Acetate

# 2-Octenal

# Octyl Isobutyrate

# Oleic Acid

# Olibanum Oil

# Opoponax Oil And Gum

# Orange Blossoms Water, Absolute, and Leaf Absolute

# Orange Oil and Extract

# Origanum Oil

# Orris Concrete Oil and Root Extract

# Palmarosa Oil

# Palmitic Acid

# Parsley Seed Oil

# Patchouli Oil

# omega-Pentadecalactone

# 2,3-Pentanedione

# 2-Pentanone

# 4-Pentenoic Acid

# 2-Pentylpyridine

# Pepper Oil, Black And White

# Peppermint Oil

# Peruvian (Bois De Rose) Oil

# Petitgrain Absolute, Mandarin Oil and Terpeneless Oil

# alpha-Phellandrene

# 2-Phenenthyl Acetate

# Phenenthyl Alcohol

# Phenethyl Butyrate

# Phenethyl Cinnamate

# Phenethyl Isobutyrate

# Phenethyl Isovalerate

# Phenethyl Phenylacetate

# Phenethyl Salicylate

# 1-Phenyl-1-Propanol

# 3-Phenyl-1-Propanol

# 2-Phenyl-2-Butenal

# 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-Ol

# 4-Phenyl-3-Buten-2-One

# Phenylacetaldehyde

# Phenylacetic Acid

# 1-Phenylalanine

# 3-Phenylpropionaldehyde

# 3-Phenylpropionic Acid

# 3-Phenylpropyl Acetate

# 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate

# 2-(3-Phenylpropyl)Tetrahydrofuran

# Phosphoric Acid

# Pimenta Leaf Oil

# Pine Needle Oil, Pine Oil, Scotch

# Pineapple Juice Concentrate

# alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene

# D-Piperitone

# Piperonal

# Pipsissewa Leaf Extract

# Plum Juice

# Potassium Sorbate

# 1-Proline

# Propenylguaethol

# Propionic Acid

# Propyl Acetate

# Propyl para-Hydroxybenzoate

# Propylene Glycol

# 3-Propylidenephthalide

# Prune Juice and Concentrate

# Pyridine

# Pyroligneous Acid And Extract

# Pyrrole

# Pyruvic Acid

# Raisin Juice Concentrate

# Rhodinol

# Rose Absolute and Oil

# Rosemary Oil

# Rum

# Rum Ether

# Rye Extract

# Sage, Sage Oil, and Sage Oleoresin

# Salicylaldehyde

# Sandalwood Oil, Yellow

# Sclareolide

# Skatole

# Smoke Flavor

# Snakeroot Oil

# Sodium Acetate

# Sodium Benzoate

# Sodium Bicarbonate

# Sodium Carbonate

# Sodium Chloride

# Sodium Citrate

# Sodium Hydroxide

# Solanone

# Spearmint Oil

# Styrax Extract, Gum and Oil

# Sucrose Octaacetate

# Sugar Alcohols

# Sugars

# Tagetes Oil

# Tannic Acid

# Tartaric Acid

# Tea Leaf and Absolute

# alpha-Terpineol

# Terpinolene

# Terpinyl Acetate

# 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinoxaline

# 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-Oxatricyclo(8.3.0.0(4,9))Tridecane

# 2,3,4,5, and 3,4,5,6-Tetramethylethyl-Cyclohexanone

# 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine

# Thiamine Hydrochloride

# Thiazole

# 1-Threonine

# Thyme Oil, White and Red

# Thymol

# Tobacco Extracts

# Tochopherols (mixed)

# Tolu Balsam Gum and Extract

# Tolualdehydes

# para-Tolyl 3-Methylbutyrate

# para-Tolyl Acetaldehyde

# para-Tolyl Acetate

# para-Tolyl Isobutyrate

# para-Tolyl Phenylacetate

# Triacetin

# 2-Tridecanone

# 2-Tridecenal

# Triethyl Citrate

# 3,5,5-Trimethyl -1-Hexanol

# para,alpha,alpha-Trimethylbenzyl Alcohol

# 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-Enyl)But-2-En-4-One

# 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-Ene-1,4-Dione

# 2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl Methan

# 4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-Dienyl)But-2-En-4-One

# 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone

# 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine

# 1-Tyrosine

# delta-Undercalactone

# gamma-Undecalactone

# Undecanal

# 2-Undecanone, 1

# 0-Undecenal

# Urea

# Valencene

# Valeraldehyde

# Valerian Root Extract, Oil and Powder

# Valeric Acid

# gamma-Valerolactone

# Valine

# Vanilla Extract And Oleoresin

# Vanillin

# Veratraldehyde

# Vetiver Oil

# Vinegar

# Violet Leaf Absolute

# Walnut Hull Extract

# Water

# Wheat Extract And Flour

# Wild Cherry Bark Extract

# Wine and Wine Sherry

# Xanthan Gum

# 3,4-Xylenol

# Yeast

 

 

Additives in Marijuana: NONE

 

So your trying to say that not one of these chemicals makes cigarettes more harmful than weed, dream on.

Filters don't change a thing.

 

There's my "nonsense", backed up by FACT.

[ginnyfizz]

Posting that list is all very well, and I am not saying that tobacco isn't harmful either. But some of the things on that list are very common and innocuous natural substances. It is the level of naturally occurring carcinogenic hydrocarbons that is higher in weed than in tobacco.

 

I also find it difficult to see why weed should be illegal when alcohol and tobacco are legal, but I do not feel that weed is LESS harmful than those others. Its effects are different, but it is still harmful

[heavywaters]

interesting info on Carcinogenic Hydrocarbons...

 

Studies suggest that marijuana smoke contains 50 percent higher concentrations of carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarette smoke. Marijuana smokers also tend to inhale deeper than cigarette smokers and hold the inhaled smoke in their lungs longer.

 

So why isn’t smoking marijuana as dangerous as smoking cigarettes in terms of cancer risk?

 

Cellular studies and even some studies in animal models suggest that THC has anti-tumor properties, either by encouraging the death of genetically damaged cells that can become cancerous or by restricting the development of the blood supply that feeds them.

 

In a review of research published in 2006, University of Colorado molecular biologist Robert Melamede concluded that THC seems to lessen the tumor-promoting properties of marijuana smoke.

 

The nicotine in tobacco has been shown to inhibit the destruction of cancer-causing cells. THC does not appear to do this and may even do the opposite.

 

 

Neither are "harmless", I'm just pointing out that studies show Cannabis is not the murderous demon that U.S. propaganda has made it out to be.

There are far more hazardous legal substances readily available to U.S. consumers, but weed gets attacked by the misinformed simply because it's "illegal".

Edited January 18, 2011 by heavywaters

[marharth]

To let everyone know, I am not saying weed is harmless at all.

 

I am saying it is a lot less harmless then other legal drugs.

 

We should legalize everything that would count as drugs. DUI laws would not change, not many bad side effects for doing it.

 

This is a matter of personal freedom for me, I don't want the government telling me what and what not to smoke/drink/take.

[antonkr]

Well alright we'll go that weed is not dangerous at all. BUT if you do it too much it just stops providing you with the 'high' feeling. What do you do next? You go and buy something more serious which then ruins your life and kills you.

[ginnyfizz]

Oddly enough my father's gastro-enterologist has suggested medical cannabis might be the answer to his Crohn's disease as there is evidence that it could have an anti spasmodic effect, the THC does have some beneficial effects.

 

Looking at that list of permitted additives that Heavywaters posted, I have to laugh at the irony that weed is banned whereas the US powers that be will allow additives into the tobacco that can actually be narcotic/hypnotic themselves. Galbanum is the resin also known as frankincense, for example, and was originally used in religious ceremonies as an..errr..."aid to meditation". Good job that we almost never burn pure frankincense in churches these days or we'd be high as kites. Myrrh was and is used as a painkiller/anaesthetic (can still sometimes be found in preparations for toothache.) Adding galbanum would make cigs pretty darned expensive though.