Pubdate: Sun, 21 Sep 2003
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Australian Associated Press

CANNABIS DOESN'T INCREASE DEATH

Smoking pot may make you paranoid, forgetful and dopey but it now appears that
cannabis doesn't increase your chances of dying.

A provocative editorial in the British Medical Journal suggests marijuana may
be safer than previously thought, following a review of two large bodies of
medical evidence.

According to Stephen Sidney, associate director for clinical research at the
Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in California, rates of death and
disease associated with cannabis use are unlikely to have a significant public
health impact.

Dr Sidney says his argument is supported by two large studies from Sweden and
the US.

"Published data do no support the characterisation of cannabis as a risk factor
for mortality," Dr Sidney writes.

"Although the use of cannabis is not harmless, the current knowledge base does
not support the assertion that it has any notable adverse public health impact
in relation to mortality."

The Swedish study, involving 45,450 men, found no increase in death after 15
years of cannabis use.

The second study involved 65,171 men and women. It also reported no increase in
mortality associated with cannabis use after 10 years.

Dr Sidney added that there were no known deadly overdoses of cannabis and users
were generally exposed to less smoke than cigarette smokers - with a typical
regular cannabis user smoking one "joint" a day compared to tobacco smokers who
could consume twenty or more cigarettes a day.

Previous research was also unable to establish any strong link between smoking
cannabis and heart attacks or coronary disease, Dr Sidney said.

Most importantly, cannabis users usually gave up the habit relatively early in
their adult lives.

However, it was too early for cannabis enthusiasts to roll a celebratory joint,
Dr Sidney warned.

He said a longer term follow up of the groups could still show an increased
risk of cancer, chronic disease and death.

"It might be too early to detect an increased risk of chronic diseases that are
potentially associated with the use of cannabis," he said.

Dr Sidney also suggested the findings did not support moves to decriminalise or
legalise the drug
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