Some updates on me

[Giancarlo]

You need a real source dude, not some pro-pot source.

http://www.marijuana-addiction.net/marijuana-dangers.htm

"Marijuana dangers are usually listed as they affect the physical body and mind and marijuana dangers are often associated with emotional problems as well. Marijuana dangers are often reported in fluctuating waves. Some say there are more marijuana dangers than ever right now due to the increased potency of the drug. Others say marijuana dangers aren't as bad and can even be used for medical purposes (see our medical marijuana page). This page isn't going to convince anyone of the marijuana dangers. Our intention here is to help those who are already suffering the consequences of marijuana dangers and are wondering where they can find help.

Millions of people use marijuana habitually and many are quite addicted to the drug. Addiction is a disease and like any disease, tears away at the mind and body of the sufferer. Many pot smokers did not fully understand marijuana dangers as they began to smoke the drug early in life. Some pot smokers find themselves using the drug more than they would like and find it interfering with school, work and relationships with family and friends. This cycle can feed off of itself in a negative way causing more use of the drug and further consequences.

Many studies of marijuana dangers associate repeated use of the drug with lower test scores and academic abilities. On the job, workers who smoke pot often miss more work, have more accidents and are more likely to lose their job.

On emotional level marijuana dangers include isolation, depression and an increase in anxiety. Uncomfortable feelings and fear also lead to more use of the drug that can make for more problems. Studies show that over time, individuals who become physically and/or emotionally dependent on marijuana can find that they are falling behind on basic fundamental life skills that are being acquired by peers in the same age range. This can lead to self-esteem problems as self-reinforcement abilities deteriorate and confidence diminishes. So why doesn't the pot smoker stop smoking pot?

Another one of the marijuana dangers is physical dependence on the drug. Many people try to stop over and over but are overwhelmed by anxiety, irritability and sleeping difficulties. Physical dependence is marked by withdrawal symptoms when the drug is removed. The marijuana dangers include the bodies' adaptation to an almost continuous presence of the drug in its system. The brain adapts to the pain reducing reaction to the drug and its other analgesic effects like inducing sleep. Those who have only tried smoking pot once or twice might be amazed that anybody could function on the drug at all. But those who have been smoking the drug for months and years have become accustom to its effects and can often hide the fact that they are high at all.

This tolerance to the drug is yet another one of the marijuana dangers. Pot smokers who must smoke much more of the drug to feel the same affect that just a little used to provide. This leads to more intake of smoke which can cause more damage to the lungs and respiratory system.

One of the biggest marijuana dangers can just be the loss of hope from the frustration that you can't seem to quit on your own. Fortunately there is help. Spencer Recovery Centers offers an effective answer to all of the marijuana dangers. Rehabilitation and recovery from marijuana dependency is possible with therapeutic and medical assistance. The doctors and counselors of Spencer Recovery Centers have helped many clients recover from their dependency on marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs. Spencer facilities are first rate, located along scenic beaches of California and Florida, they offer a safe haven to get through the tough times and explore what is really important."

[Giancarlo]

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

EFFECTS OF HABITUAL MARIJUANA USE ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The most potent argument against the use of marijuana to treat medical disorders is that marijuana may cause the acceleration or aggravation of the very disorders it is being used to treat.

Smoking marijuana regularly (a joint a day) can damage the cells in the bronchial passages which protect the body against inhaled microorganisms and decrease the ability of the immune cells in the lungs to fight off fungi, bacteria, and tumor cells. For patients with already weakened immune systems, this means an increase in the possibility of dangerous pulmonary infections, including pneumonia, which often proves fatal in AIDS patients.

Studies further suggest that marijuana is a general "immunosuppressant" whose degenerative influence extends beyond the respiratory system. Regular smoking has been shown to materially affect the overall ability of the smoker’s body to defend itself against infection by weakening various natural immune mechanisms, including macrophages (a.k.a. "killer cells") and the all-important T-cells. Obviously, this suggests the conclusion, which is well-supported by scientific studies, that the use of marijuana as a medical therapy can and does have a very serious negative effect on patients with pre-existing immune deficits resulting from AIDS, organ transplantation, or cancer chemotherapy, the very conditions for which marijuana has most often been touted and suggested as a treatment. It has also been shown that marijuana use can accelerate the progression of HIV to full-blown AIDS and increase the occurrence of infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma. In addition, patients with weak immune systems will be even less able to defend themselves against the various respiratory cancers and conditions to which consistent marijuana use has been linked, and which are discussed briefly under "Respiratory Illnesses."

In conclusion, it seems that the potential dangers presented by the medical use of marijuana may actually contribute to the dangers of the diseases which it would be used to combat. Therefore, I suggest that marijuana should not be permitted as a therapy, at least until a good deal more conclusive research has been completed concerning its debilitating effect on the immune system.

For more on this topic, please see Donald P. Tashkin, M.D., "Effects of Marijuana on the Lung and Its Immune Defenses," Secretary's Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Intiative: Resource Papers, March 1997, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Pages 33-51 of this address can be found at the website of the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University, located at http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/druginfo/tashkin- marijuana.html.



RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

The main respiratory consequences of smoking marijuana regularly (one joint a day) are pulmonary infections and respiratory cancer, whose connection to marijuana use has been strongly suggested but not conclusively proven. The effects also include chronic bronchitis, impairment in the function of the smaller air passages, inflammation of the lung, the development of potentially pre-cancerous abnormalities in the bronchial lining and lungs, and, as discussed, a reduction in the capabilities of many defensive mechanisms within the lungs.

Marijuana smoke and cigarette smoke contain many of the same toxins, including one which has been identified as a key factor in the promotion of lung cancer. This toxin is found in the tar phase of both, and it should be noted that one joint has four times more tar than a cigarette, which means that the lungs are exposed four-fold to this toxin and others in the tar. It has been concretely established that smoking cigarettes promotes lung cancer (which causes more than 125,000 deaths in the US every year), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis and emphysema) and increased incidence of respiratory tract infections. This implies, but does not establish, that smoking marijuana may lead to some of the same results as smoking cigarettes. It is notable that several reports indicate an unexpectedly large proportion ofmarijuana users among cases of lung cancer and cancers of the oral cavity,pharynx, and larynx. Thus, it appears that the use of marijuana as a medicine has the potential to further harm an already ill patient in the same way that taking up regular cigarette smoking would, particularly in light of the fact that those patients for whom marijuana is recommended are already poorly equipped to fight off these infections and diseases.

For more information, please see the Tashkin website mentioned at the end of the section on immune disorders. See also:

www.sarnia.com/GROUPS/ANTIDRUG/mrr/ 21.96.10.html, for information on the link between chemicals contained in marijuana and lung cancer.
http://www.marijuananews.com/latest_...hat_heavy.htm, for an article concerning the link between marijuana and cancer, with commentary


MENTAL HEALTH, BRAIN FUNCTION, AND MEMORY

It has been suggested that marijuana is at the root of many mental disorders, including acute toxic psychosis, panic attacks (one of the very conditions it is being used experimentally to treat), flashbacks, delusions, depersonalization, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, and uncontrollable aggressiveness. Marijuana has long been known to trigger attacks of mental illness, such as bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis and schizophrenia. This connection with mental illness should make health care providers for terminally ill patients and the patients themselves, who may already be suffering from some form of clinical depression, weigh very carefully the pros and cons of adopting a therapeutic course of marijuana.

In the short term, marijuana use impairs perception, judgment, thinking, memory, and learning; memory defects may persist six weeks after last use. Mental disorders connected with marijuana use merit their own category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV, published by the American Psychiatric Association. These include Cannabis Intoxication (consisting of impaired motor coordination, anxiety, impaired judgment, sensation of slowed time, social withdrawal, and often includes perceptual disturbances; Cannabis Intoxication Delirium (memory deficit, disorientation); Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder, Delusions; Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder, Hallucinations; and Cannabis Induced Anxiety Disorder.

In addition, marijuana use has many indirect effects on health. Its effect on coordination, perception, and judgment means that it causes a number of accidents, vehicular and otherwise.

For further information, you may find the following sites helpful:

https://www.sarnia.com/GROUPS/ANTIDR...updatejl.html, for information on links between marijuana use and mental health risks.
https://www.sarnia.com/GROUPS/ANTIDR...21.96.10.html, for more information on the indirect effects of marijuana on health
http://www.adf.org.au/drughit, the Australian Drug Foundation’s website
http://marijuananews.com/a_safe_ high_.htm, a reprint of New Science magazine’s "Marijuana Special Report: A Safe High?" with commentary
http://marijuananews.com/claim_four.htm, an article about the similarity of long-term marijuana use’s effect on the brain to that of "hard" drugs, with commentary
https://www.drugs.indiana.edu/public...kescreen.html, for general information on the health risks of marijuana.
http://www.health.org, the homepage of the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information, for general information on marijuana

[Asher]

CLAIM #3:

MARIJUANA IS A DRUG WITHOUT THERAPEUTIC VALUE

Proposals to make marijuana legally available as a medicine are countered with claims that safer, more effective drugs are available, including a synthetic version of delta-9-THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient.

THE FACTS

For thousands of years, throughout the world, people have used marijuana to treat a variety of medical conditions. 10

Today, in the United States, such use is prohibited. Although 36 states have passed legislation to allow marijuana's use as a medicine, federal law preempts their making marijuana legally available to patients.

A number of studies have shown that marijuana is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, 11 lowering intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, 12 and decreasing muscle spasm and spasticity. 13 Today, many people use marijuana for these and other medical purposes, despite its illegal status. 14

People undergoing cancer chemotherapy have found smoked marijuana to be an effective anti-nauseant - often more effective than available pharmaceutical medications. 15 Indeed, 44 % of oncologists responding to a questionnaire said they had recommended marijuana to their cancer patients; others said they would recommend it if it were legal. 16

Marijuana is also smoked by thousands of AIDS patients to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with both the disease and AZT drug therapy. Because it stimulates appetite, marijuana also counters HIV-related "wasting," allowing AIDS patients to gain weight and prolong their lives.

In 1986, a synthetic delta-9-THC capsule (Marinol) was marketed in the United States and labeled for use as an anti-emetic. Despite some utility, this product has serious drawbacks' including its cost. For example, a patient taking three five-milligram capsules a day would spend over $5,000 to use Marinol for one year. In comparison to the natural, smokeable product Marinol also has some pharmacological shortcomings. 17

Because THC delivered in oral capsules enters the bloodstream slowly, it yields lower scrum concentrations per dose.

Oral THC circulates in the body longer at effective concentrations, and more of it is metabolized to an active compound; thus, it more frequently yields unpleasant psychoactive effects.

In patients suffering from nausea, the swallowing of capsules may itself provoke vomiting.

In short, the smoking of crude marijuana is more efficient in delivering THC and, in some cases, it may be more effective.

The continuing illegality of medical marijuana is based more on political than scientific considerations. Although during the 1970s the government supported exploration into marijuana's therapeutic potential, 18 its role has become one of blocking new research l9 and opposing any change in marijuana's legal status. 20

[Whaleboy]

Notice how I said nothing about tobacco which I believe should be restricted. Weed is just a start.

So if it puts a strain on the health system, it's the publics concern, and it should be banned? Well what about potentially dangerous activities? Would you prohibit activities that aren't primarily in the states interest? Not very libertarian of you, for a red blooded capitalist. It also assumes that the patient has no arbitrary right to health treatment, since you would suggest that the majority (taxpayers), though presumably represented in their doctors decision, to treat a patient on the grounds of utility and not need? That's a Marxist concept.

Weed encourages people to commit crimes against others because people think they can do whatever they want on drugs.

Hardly. That's quite a stereotype you have there.

[Giancarlo]

Again you are posting phony sources..... read the facts please. Like a source from Harvard..

[Asher]

Originally posted by Giancarlo

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html

EFFECTS OF HABITUAL MARIJUANA USE ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

CLAIM #5:

MARIJUANA IMPAIRS IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTIONING

It has been widely claimed that marijuana substantially increases users' risk of contracting various infectious diseases. First emerging in the 1970s, this claim took on new significance in the 1980s, following reports of marijuana use by people suffering from AIDS.

THE FACTS

The principal study fueling the original claim of immune impairment involved preparations created with white blood cells that had been removed from marijuana smokers and controls. After exposing the cells to known immune activators, researchers reported a lower rate of "transformation" in those taken from marijuana smokers. 26

However, numerous groups of scientists, using similar techniques, have failed to confirm this original study. 27

In fact, a 1988 study demonstrated an increase in responsiveness when white blood cells from marijuana smokers were exposed to immunological activators. 28

Studies involving laboratory animals have shown immune impairment following administration of THC, but only with the use of extremely high doses. For example, one study demonstrated an increase in herpes infection in rodents given doses of 100 mg/kg/day - a dose approximately 1000 times the dose necessary to produce a psychoactive effect in humans. 29

There have been no clinical or epidemiological studies showing an increase in bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection among human marijuana users. In three large field studies conducted in the 1970s, in Jamaica, Costa Rica and Greece, researchers found no differences in disease susceptibility between marijuana users and matched controls. 30

Marijuana use does not increase the risk of HIV infection; nor does it increase the onset or intensity of symptoms among AIDS patients. 31 In fact, the FDA decision to approve the use of Marinol (synthetic THC) for use in HIV-wasting syndrome relied upon the absence of any immunopathology due to THC. 32

Today, thousands of people with AIDS are smoking marijuana daily to combat nausea and increase appetite. There is no scientific basis for claims that this practice compromises their immune responses. Indeed, the recent discovery of a peripheral cannabinoid receptor associated with lymphatic tissue should encourage aggressive exploration of THC's potential use as an immune-system stimulant. 33

[Whaleboy]

Fez, you do realise that half of what you posted is crap, much of which has been refuted?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
Weed also causes you to be impotent.

CLAIM #6:

MARIJUANA HARMS SEXUAL MATURATION AND REPRODUCTION

Marijuana has been said to interfere with the production of hormones associated with reproduction, causing possible infertility among adult users and delayed sexual development among adolescents.

THE FACTS

There is no evidence that marijuana impairs male reproductive functioning.

The Jamaican and Costa Rican field studies detected no differences in hormone levels between marijuana users and non-users.

In epidemiological surveys of marijuana users, no problems with fertility have emerged as important.

In 1974, researchers reported diminished testosterone, reduced sexual function and abnormal sperm cells in males identified as chronic marijuana users. 34 In a laboratory study, the same researchers reported an acute decrease in testosterone, but no chronic effect after nine weeks of smoking; they did not evaluate sperm volume or quality. 35 In other laboratory studies, researchers have been generally unable to replicate these findings, 36 although by administering very high THC doses - up to 20 cigarettes per day for 30 days - one study found a slight decrease in sperm concentrations. 37 In all studies, test results remained within normal ranges and probably would not have affected actual fertility.

Severe adverse consequences have also been produced in male laboratory animals, although only with extremely high daily THC doses. 38

More importantly, in both the human and animal laboratory studies, all observed changes were reversed once THC administration was halted.

The claim that marijuana impairs female reproductive functioning in humans has no support in the scientific literature.

There have been no epidemiological studies indicating diminished fertility in female users of marijuana, and a recent survey found no impact of chronic marijuana use on female sex hormones. 39

Animal studies show hormonal changes and depressed ovulation following extremely high daily doses of THC. As occurs with males, these changes disappear once the experiment is completed. 40 In addition, when THC was administered to female monkeys for an entire year, they developed tolerance to its hormonal effects and normal cycles were reestablished. 41

Almost immediately following publication of the few studies showing a marijuana impact on reproductive hormones, warnings about marijuana's potential impact on adolescent sexual development began to appear.

Other than one case report of a 16-year old marijuana smoker who had failed to progress to puberty, 42 there has been nothing to indicate that such a potential exists. In whatever other ways one might consider marijuana to be bad for adolescents, it does not ****** their sexual development.

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by Whaleboy


So if it puts a strain on the health system, it's the publics concern, and it should be banned? Well what about potentially dangerous activities? Would you prohibit activities that aren't primarily in the states interest? Not very libertarian of you, for a red blooded capitalist. It also assumes that the patient has no arbitrary right to health treatment, since you would suggest that the majority (taxpayers), though presumably represented in their doctors decision, to treat a patient on the grounds of utility and not need? That's a Marxist concept.

Smoking marijuana is something you can avoid, driving a car is something you cannot avoid in this society today. I'm not libertarian. I'm a capitalist. I think the state is meant for law enforcement and the maintainance of public infrastructure, and that's it. I'm not marxist. I'm machiavellian.

If you smoke marijuana, you should be turned away from the health system for any problems. Or pay for EVERYTHING.

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Fez, you do realise that half of what you posted is crap, much of which has been refuted?

Nope. It is solid established fact.

Weed users also supports terrorism.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
Again you are posting phony sources..... read the facts please. Like a source from Harvard..

It doesn't matter if the source is Harvard if the scientific community has debunked it.

If you've bothered to read the summary I've posted, you'd see the sources are all reputable: http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabi...th_notes.shtml

Medical journals are by far the majority of them, followed by government reports/investigations...

[Q Classic]

NOPE! Weed causes cancer and from a recent report, it also causes brain damage if used regularly. Red wine is FAR MORE beneficial then that crap.

to be fair, pretty much anything causes cancer.

[Whaleboy]

Smoking marijuana is something you can avoid, driving a car is something you cannot avoid in this society today. I'm not libertarian. I'm a capitalist. I think the state is meant for law enforcement and the maintainance of public infrastructure, and that's it. I'm not marxist. I'm machiavellian.

So a capitalist commune then? Taking the essentials of communism and using them in a capitalist state.

Weed users also supports terrorism.

Explain?

[Giancarlo]

And all one source? That is so funny...

Also it wasn't debunked. It is solid established fact backed by the scientific community.

Why do you continue with that stupid erowid source?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
Nope. It is solid established fact.

Weed users also supports terrorism.

99% of Weed is grown domestically or from Canada.