Pubdate: Sat, 24 Sep 2005
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.madison.com/tct/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: Gary Storck
Cited: Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival 
http://madisonnorml.org/PDFs/harvestfest03quad.pdf

MARIJUANA DOESN'T CAUSE CANCER

Dear Editor: Ald. Judy Compton's 3:45 a.m. outburst Wednesday during the
smoking ban discussion that "the worst carcinogen known in the world is
the mold found in marijuana" is just more reefer madness.

Because cannabis is transacted in an unregulated market, it is often
poorly stored and prone to mold. This mold is not known to be
carcinogenic, but can cause problems in some people with impaired
immune systems or trigger allergic responses.

If marijuana were regulated like tobacco and alcohol, contamination
with mold and other substances would not be a problem, and our
community would be safer and tax revenues enhanced.

As far as marijuana causing cancer, a recent study by Dr. Donald
Tashkin of UCLA concluded that there is no link to cancers of the
lungs, throat and mouth from smoking pot, and that marijuana appears
to exhibit a protective effect in tobacco smokers. Previous research
has demonstrated it can actually shrink tumors, and it has long been
known as a treatment for nausea from cancer chemotherapy, and as an
appetite enhancer and pain reliever.

To learn more about the many uses of the cannabis plant, please join
us next Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2, at Library Mall in downtown
Madison for the 35th annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival.
Not only will the festival feature some of the world's top experts on
cannabis and hemp, but there will also be information tables,
additional speakers and entertainment by some of the area's best bands.

Gary Storck

Madison
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake