Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 2009
Source: Daily Vidette (IL Edu)
Copyright: 2009 Daily Vidette
Contact:  http://www.dailyvidette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/666
Author: Chris Davies
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Cited: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
http://www.norml.org/

HEALTH ISSUES OF MARIJUANA DEBATED

"First Off, The Easiest Distinction To Be Drawn Is That There Is No
Nicotine In Marijuana, Nor Is There Any THC In Tobacco, However, Many
Of The Dangerous Components Are Found In Both." -Noah Conrad, Alcohol
And Drug Interventionist For Student Health Ser

Though many people may see the potential benefit that the legalization
of marijuana could provide to the economy, concerns over health
effects from the use of the drug have prohibited many from supporting
such actions.

Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization for
the Reform of Marijuana Laws, does not think that the drug poses a
significant health threat to users.

"Marijuana is remarkably safe," he said. "Pharmacologists rate drugs
on a lethal dose rating with 50 being the lowest and things like
cyanide being the highest at one. Marijuana is rated at 50."

St. Pierre commented that though the drug had such a low rating, no
drug is safe, including aspirin.

"Smoking is not good for pulmonary or respiratory health, but in a
country where cigarettes and alcohol [are] legal, [I believe] cannabis
is quite a bit safer," he said.

Noah Conrad, alcohol and drug interventionist for Student Health
Services, explained the effects of the drug compared to some legal
drugs.

"First off, the easiest distinction to be drawn is that there is no
nicotine in marijuana, nor is there any THC in tobacco, however, many
of the dangerous components are found in both," he said.

Some of the similarities he noted are total tar levels, carbon
monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and nitrosamines. Additionally,
benzopyrene, a potent carcinogen, is found in greater amounts in
marijuana than in tobacco.

Beyond the chemical composition of the drugs, the way the drug is used
also plays a role in how detrimental it can be on the health of the
user.

"Because the typical marijuana smoker does not ingest nearly the same
amount of smoke per annual basis that a tobacco user does, it's hard
to accurately compare the two in some aspects," Conrad said.
"Marijuana users also tend to hold the smoke in for longer periods of
time as compared to their tobacco counterparts and the effects are
somewhat contingent on the concentration of the THC, meaning the more
potent the pot, the more the effects will be evident."

Though the health aspects can be debated, whether or not more issues
will be seen as a result of legalization did not seem to be a large
issue to either Conrad or St. Pierre.

"Most Americans who want to use marijuana already do despite
prohibition," St. Pierre said. "Changing the law doesn't mean that
more people will use the drug."

Conrad believes that a change in the law may cause an increase of use,
but only for a limited period of time.

"The first being that, if or when marijuana is decriminalized or
legalized, acknowledging these are two completely [different] things,
there will be an increase in usage for a period of time," he said. "I
believe this because, there might be thousands, if not millions of
Americans who will opt to try it now that it is legal and there are no
ramifications that can be had."

"After a short time period, one I envision lasting some where between
three to five, possibly 10 years, the trend will plateau and remain
that way for some time, just as we have seen with tobacco
consumption."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin