Marijuana Use Safer Than Tobacco Use

[Nbadan]

No Link Between Marijuana Use and Lung Cancer


People who smoke marijuana—even heavy, long-term marijuana users—do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 23rd. Press Briefing at 10:15 a.m. (PDT).

Newswise — People who smoke marijuana—even heavy, long-term marijuana users—do not appear to be at increased risk of developing lung cancer, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 23rd.

Marijuana smoking also did not appear to increase the risk of head and neck cancers, such as cancer of the tongue, mouth, throat, or esophagus, the study found.

The findings were a surprise to the researchers. “We expected that we would find that a history of heavy marijuana use—more than 500-1,000 uses—would increase the risk of cancer from several years to decades after exposure to marijuana,” said the senior researcher, Donald Tashkin, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles.

The study looked at 611 people in Los Angeles County who developed lung cancer, 601 who developed cancer of the head or neck regions, and 1,040 people without cancer who were matched on age, gender and neighborhood. The researchers used the University of Southern California Tumor Registry, which is notified as soon as a patient in Los Angeles County receives a diagnosis of cancer.

They limited the study to people under age 60. “If you were born prior to 1940, you were unlikely to be exposed to marijuana use during your teens and 20s—the time of peak marijuana use,” Dr. Tashkin said. People who were exposed to marijuana use in their youth are just now getting to the age when cancer typically starts to develop, he added.

Subjects were asked about lifetime use of marijuana, tobacco and alcohol, as well as other drugs, their diet, occupation, family history of cancer and socioeconomic status. The subjects’ reported use of marijuana was similar to that found in other surveys, Dr. Tashkin noted.

The heaviest smokers in the study had smoked more than 22,000 marijuana cigarettes, or joints, while moderately heavy smokers had smoked between 11,000 to 22,000 joints. Even these smokers did not have an increased risk of developing cancer. People who smoked more marijuana were not at any increased risk compared with those who smoked less marijuana or none at all.

The study found that 80% of lung cancer patients and 70% of patients with head and neck cancer had smoked tobacco, while only about half of patients with both types of cancer smoked marijuana.

There was a clear association between smoking tobacco and cancer. The study found a 20-fold increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoked two or more packs of cigarettes a day. The more tobacco a person smoked, the greater the risk of developing both lung cancer and head and neck cancers, findings that were consistent with many previous studies.

The new findings are surprising for several reasons, Dr. Tashkin said. Previous studies have shown that marijuana tar contains about 50% higher concentrations of chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, he noted. Smoking a marijuana cigarette deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco. “Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there’s less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled,” Dr. Tashkin said. “And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers—they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung.”

One possible explanation for the new findings, he said, is that THC, a chemical in marijuana smoke, may encourage aging cells to die earlier and therefore be less likely to undergo cancerous transformation.

The next step, Dr. Tashkin says, is to study the DNA samples of the subjects, to see whether there are some heavy marijuana users who may be at increased risk of developing cancer if they have a genetic susceptibility for cancer.

News Wise (http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/520524)

Free El Pimpo!! (yeah, i know he's free)

[TreeWhisperer]

I KNEW IT!!! GO WACKY WEED!!! :smokin

[Mr. Peabody]

Think of the children! Will someone please think of the children!!

http://www.szilagyi.us/images/Simpsons/HelenLovejoy.jpg

[xrayzebra]

Here we go again. Same song, same verse different choir.

[Boris]

I'll smoke to that. :smokin

[DarkReign]

Just quit smoking cigarettes Monday. Not too hard actually with a patch.

[Yonivore]

Marijuana use safer than tobacco use? Isn't that like saying that shooting yourself in the head with a .38 is less damaging than a .45?

Face it, if you suck anything more than air into your lungs it's bad for you.

[turambar85]

Maybe so,Yonivore, but if a .45 is legal and a .38 is not, thats a little hypocritical.

[Yonivore]

Maybe so,Yonivore, but if a .45 is legal and a .38 is not, thats a little hypocritical.
Not if the .38 is intoxicating and the .45 isn't.

And, before you get into the .22 (liquor), I agree. I don't think any drug should be illegal. I only believe people should be held accountable for their actions -- including those done under the influence of intoxicating or mind-altering substances.

But, in fact, we were talking about the danger (to self) of marijuana vs. tobacco. And, in that regard, my analogy stands.

Marijuana isn't illegal because of the health effects as much as the societal effects of addiction and acts committed while under the influence or while trying to buy/sell the stuff.

[turambar85]

Lol, Marijuana is absolutely not addictive, so I have my doubts as to that being a logical reason for it to be illegal.

[turambar85]

And I know that this is not a "should marijiuana be legal thread" but I just have to say this. You also say it is illegal because of the acts committed while trying to buy or sell marijuana. Now, think about that really hard for 5-10 seconds and hopefully something will click.

wait for it...

wait for it...


Still don't get it, ok..well if marijuana is legal then we can buy it at wal-mart, and I don't know how dangerous it is to go buy your weed in that manner. It is only dangerous to buy it because it is illegal, so to make it illegal because of that is simply insane.

[DarkReign]

Not if the .38 is intoxicating and the .45 isn't.

And, before you get into the .22 (liquor), I agree. I don't think any drug should be illegal. I only believe people should be held accountable for their actions -- including those done under the influence of intoxicating or mind-altering substances.

But, in fact, we were talking about the danger (to self) of marijuana vs. tobacco. And, in that regard, my analogy stands.

Marijuana isn't illegal because of the health effects as much as the societal effects of addiction and acts committed while under the influence or while trying to buy/sell the stuff.

Ahem....marijuana is not addictive. There arent any addicitive drugs in its composition. You dont go thru withdrawals when you quit smoking weed no matter how much you blew up in a day.

Alchohol and tobacco....go figure.

[Yonivore]

And I know that this is not a "should marijiuana be legal thread" but I just have to say this. You also say it is illegal because of the acts committed while trying to buy or sell marijuana. Now, think about that really hard for 5-10 seconds and hopefully something will click.

wait for it...

wait for it...


Still don't get it, ok..well if marijuana is legal then we can buy it at wal-mart, and I don't know how dangerous it is to go buy your weed in that manner. It is only dangerous to buy it because it is illegal, so to make it illegal because of that is simply insane.
Dang! I waited for it and...you dissappointed.

I believe it is illegal because it's classified as a narcotic and, whether you buy into the theory or not, is considered a "gateway" drug. I think the same could be said of alcohol...the difference being, alcohol consumption is socially acceptable (as marijuana may well be some day).

That aside, I think it will be hard to transition from making a drug illegal to making one that is legal. Black markets, for whatever reason, will still exist and people will still commit crimes as a result of using, abusing, or selling marijuana. I don't think the drug lords are going to adapt very well to a legitimate business model.

Finally, I'd like to reiterate that I don't believe any drug should be illegal...legalize the whole damn lot of 'em. I only believe that those acts that are committed in the pursuit of, or as a result of using, drugs that impair our faculties be punished to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Driving While Stoned should be treated the same as Driving While Intoxicated -- only, I think DWI should be dealt with more harshly than it is currently.

[DarkReign]

Finally, I'd like to reiterate that I don't believe any drug should be illegal...legalize the whole damn lot of 'em. I only believe that those acts that are committed in the pursuit of, or as a result of using, drugs that impair our faculties be punished to the fullest extent allowed by law.

:tu

Just hold everyone responsible for their actions...hmmmm....what a revelation!

[JohnnyMarzetti]

Marijuana use safer than tobacco use? Isn't that like saying that shooting yourself in the head with a .38 is less damaging than a .45?

Face it, if you suck anything more than air into your lungs it's bad for you.

I'm surprised you can even breathe with your head so far up Dumbya's ass.

[Nbadan]

Abuse of Marijuana, like any other drug, alcohol included, stunts your emotional growth at the age where you became addicted, and that's no way to go through life.

[DarkReign]

I'm surprised you can even breathe with your head so far up Dumbya's ass.

I have no love for Yoni, but where in this particular thread did any of his views and opinions have anything even remotely to do with Dubya?

[Nbadan]

I believe it is illegal because it's classified as a narcotic and, whether you buy into the theory or not, is considered a "gateway" drug. I think the same could be said of alcohol...the difference being, alcohol consumption is socially acceptable (as marijuana may well be some day).

I think cigarettes are the real gateway drug.

[JohnnyMarzetti]

Or you can just buy your way out like Rush Limpballs.

[Nbadan]

Or you can just buy your way out like Rush Limpballs.

That's why Limpballs is such a tragedy. He's like a bad trainwreck, you know it's gonna be ugly, but you can't help but look

[Yonivore]

That's why Limpballs is such a tragedy. He's like a bad trainwreck, you know it's gonna be ugly, but you can't help but look
What's funny is, if he were a Kennedy, he'd be praised for beating his addiction and remaining successful in the process. He would also be lionized for overcoming the drug-induced deafness. In short, he'd be a liberal hero.

Was he hypocritical in his stance on drugs while abusing them? Absolutely. Just like when Ted Kennedy sat on the judiciary committee that rake Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas over the coals over alleged sexual harrassment at a time when he was renowned for groping and sexually harrassing waitresses.

Would he be hypocritical now if he took the same stance on drugs? Maybe not.

Hypocrisy is defined as engaging in a practice even while you condemn others doing the same. Former addicts -- who stay clean -- are probably more entitled to criticize drug users than anyone else. And, if Teddy is done groping women, I'd have no problem with him sitting in judgement over his peers who are accused of the same.

For the record, I don't view Rush Limbaugh as a tragedy at all. In fact, he's remained successful in the face of incredible odds.

[JoeChalupa]

It is because in today's world Americans are very forgiving.

That is why America still loves Bill Clinton!!!!!!!!!

[Reginald Red Forman]

Maybe so,Yonivore, but if a .45 is legal and a .38 is not, thats a little hypocritical.

Damn straight, Yonivore could use a good adult sized kick in the ass!

[Spurminator]

I have no love for Yoni, but where in this particular thread did any of his views and opinions have anything even remotely to do with Dubya?


Johnny Marzetti doesn't post as much as he used to, but I think you'll find it's the same post every time.

[smeagol]

Smoking (anything) is for idiots.

Try to refute that!

[smeagol]

http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/read.php?id=5746

How'd you spend your dollar today?

:rollin
Probably at the Rite Aid. My kids need Pampers.

Your point is?

What's that again? There is no point to your last post? Simply posting stupidities?

Oh well, then it's no different that 99% of your posts.

Have a good day.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

rofl

yonivore is such a stupid ginger


great analogy there, einstein

[mookie2001]

nobody can take anything you say seriously cheech!

[thispego]

The new findings are surprising for several reasons, Dr. Tashkin said. Previous studies have shown that marijuana tar contains about 50% higher concentrations of chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, he noted. Smoking a marijuana cigarette deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco. “Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there’s less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled,” Dr. Tashkin said. “And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers—they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung.”
oh shit! :wow

[Reginald Red Forman]

If Marijuana should be illegal, then so should Alcohal.
I know people that smoke weed and people that drink.
Drunks are a whole lot meaner. Dumbass

[xrayzebra]

The new findings are surprising for several reasons, Dr. Tashkin said. Previous studies have shown that marijuana tar contains about 50% higher concentrations of chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, he noted. Smoking a marijuana cigarette deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco. “Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there’s less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled,” Dr. Tashkin said. “And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers—they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung.”
oh shit! :wow

So how many "smokers" get cancer versus "non-smokers"? Not all, as a matter
of fact, most smokers do not get cancer. It can cause cancer, so can just
getting up in the morning.

I don't smoke, and don't really like the smell of smoking. But I did smoke
and don't condemn those that do. I think smoking should be allowed
in restaurants, provided the owner has no objections. If a non-smoker
does like it, go elsewhere. Real simple. If it starts to hurt the bottom
line, rest assured the owner will change his policy on smoking.

Damn politicians are no experts on anything, except attempting to get
elected. And some of them are that great in that area. I don't care
if they are dimms or repubs or so called independents. Most are not
that brilliant to begin with. Look at Nelson Wolfe. So called businessman.
How far has his grocery stores gone. Closed several for lack of business.


As far as the mary jane, most who want to smoke it do now. So trying
to tell them they are going to get cancer from it. Forget it. They are
already breaking the law now. So why worry.

[DirkAB]

Lol, Marijuana is absolutely not addictive, so I have my doubts as to that being a logical reason for it to be illegal.

The fuck it isn't. Absolutely should be legal, but people need to quit acting like it isn't addictive, because it is.

[DarkReign]

The fuck it isn't. Absolutely should be legal, but people need to quit acting like it isn't addictive, because it is.

No its not. Come on. Take sex for example.

There are nymphomaniacs, yet there isnt one chemical in sex that is physically addcitive. Its mentally addictive, but not physical.

Same as weed. THC is not physically addictive. Sure, anything is addictive for an adiictive personality.

I mean, no offense, if youre going to call weed addictive, youre weak. There arent withdrawls, there arent shakes or shivers. I have seen 20+ people smoke copious amounts of weed quit.

Not a fucking one complained or cried about addiction.

[jochhejaam]

Is marijuana addictive?
No one would argue that marijuana is as addictive as alcohol or cocaine. However, it's wrong to say that it is not at all addictive. More and more studies are finding that marijuana has addictive properties. Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 8 times higher doses to get the same effects as infrequent users.

For a small percentage of people who use it, marijuana can be highly addictive. It is estimated that 10% to 14% of users will become heavily dependent. More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for marijuana addiction every year. Because the consequences of marijuana use can be subtle and insidious, it is more difficult to recognize signs of addiction. Cultural and societal beliefs that marijuana cannot be addictive make it less likely for people to seek help or to get support for quitting.


http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/marijuana.htm

It definitely can be dangerous and shouldn't be legalized IMO, but I would have said that it's not addictive. It appears that it can be for some.

[DirkAB]

No its not. Come on. Take sex for example.

There are nymphomaniacs, yet there isnt one chemical in sex that is physically addcitive. Its mentally addictive, but not physical.

Same as weed. THC is not physically addictive. Sure, anything is addictive for an adiictive personality.

I mean, no offense, if youre going to call weed addictive, youre weak. There arent withdrawls, there arent shakes or shivers. I have seen 20+ people smoke copious amounts of weed quit.

Not a fucking one complained or cried about addiction.

With all due respect, you don't know what you are talking about if you claim that grass isn't addictive. No it isn't as physically addictive other drugs, but it is very psychologically addictive. You say anything is addictive for an addictive personality, but aren't some thing way more addictive to addictive personalities than others? Obviously, and weed is without a doubt one of them that are easily addicting.

Should be legal, but it is plenty addictive to ruin a persons life, may be in a subtle way, but ruins lives none the less.

[pussyface]

i heard that the scientists had to cut corners on their project because it ran over-budget due to expenditures on pizza, potato chips and ice cream!

man...that was a good one.
you are really funny.
havent heard that joke before a lot.
ever tried standup?
you could do a tlc killer premise or something

[TheSanityAnnex]

Is marijuana addictive?
Heavy users need 8 times higher doses to get the same effects as infrequent users.I don't know about that. If I stop smoking weed for a week, the next time I blaze it feels like my first time again.


More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for marijuana addiction every year. 120,000 pussies.

[exstatic]

The new findings are surprising for several reasons, Dr. Tashkin said. Previous studies have shown that marijuana tar contains about 50% higher concentrations of chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, he noted. Smoking a marijuana cigarette deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco. “Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there’s less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled,” Dr. Tashkin said. “And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers—they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung.”
oh shit! :wow

Use

a

bong

[TheSanityAnnex]

Use

a

bongor better yet...........a vaporizer.

[jochhejaam]

Quote:
More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for marijuana addiction every year.


120,000 pussies.

The only one you can speak for with any authority is yourself.

[Quadzilla99]

Think of the children! Will someone please think of the children!!

http://www.szilagyi.us/images/Simpsons/HelenLovejoy.jpg
That is seriously one of my favorite Simpsons lines. That's so funny you posted that.

[baseline bum]

Nicotene is about as toxic a substance as I can think of, so it's not that surprising. I read that if you dip a normal cigar in water for a day and then have 8 people split it and drink it, it would be a lethal dose for each.

I've never noticed anything addictive about weed in my experiences with it, but I have a friend who considered himself very addicted to it. I don't know if it was something as simple as just a hard to break habit, or if it was something physical, but the addiction was very real with him.

[MannyIsGod]

The weed I smoked tonight wasn't very toxic but the funyons it made me eat were.

[Nbadan]

If there is no addiction to pot then explain Ricky Williams. More importantly, some companies use the drug laws to protect their businesses. Many require employees to submit to a drug test if they get injured at work, A few puffs of a blunt can stay in your fat for three days. What's funny is that many people can drink alcohol at work.

[pussyface]

120,000 pussies...that was funny.

"marijuana? i sucked dick for coke. did you ever suck dick for marijuana?" bob saget as rehab case, half baked

[xrayzebra]

No its not. Come on. Take sex for example.

Want "taking sex" get you thrown in jail..... :lol

[xrayzebra]

If there is no addiction to pot then explain Ricky Williams. More importantly, some companies use the drug laws to protect their businesses. Many require employees to submit to a drug test if they get injured at work, A few puffs of a blunt can stay in your fat for three days. What's funny is that many people can drink alcohol at work.

Bet Coors wont drink alcohol at work for a while........... :lol

[Mavs_man_41]

Bet Coors wont drink alcohol at work for a while........... :lol

Did i miss something? What happened at Coors?

[xrayzebra]

The CEO, cant remember his first name, just got busted for DWI in Colo. He was
going home from a friends wedding and eased thru a stop sign. He admits he
was under the influence. Anyhow he is the Grandson of the original Coors founder.

Here is a link for an article about it.

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/topstories_story_196164916.html

[DarkReign]

Want "taking sex" get you thrown in jail..... :lol

:lmao Whoops!