Our Voice: Marijuana's new science
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Opinion
When advocates of marijuana legalization defend their stance, they usually do so with the argument that there is no verifiable data to suggest the drug presents any real harm to its users.
But now, it appears the scientific tide is turning away from such assertions. The results of recent medical studies are beginning to change the way advocates and opponents should evaluate the legalization debate.
In December 2007, scientists at Health Canada (the equivalent of the Department of Health and Human Services) conducted a survey to investigate the toxins present in cannabis smoke. Their research turned up 20 times as much ammonia and four times as much hydrogen cyanide than can be found in typical cigarettes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and featured in a Feb. 7 story on NPR's Morning Edition, found people who smoke marijuana regularly have a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Additionally, researchers suspect frequent marijuana usage could weaken the immune system and inflammatory response.
The evidence is building, and it doesn't look favorable for the "marijuana is harmless" crowd. The old talking points are losing credence with every new piece of data that is released.
It's true that the people who want marijuana are going to get it, regardless of legality. It's also true that legalization doesn't mean the next day no one shows up for work and store shelves are cleaned of their Cheetos stock.
But it does mean that the legalization argument should be losing steam. And rightfully so. Marijuana should not be legalized. Except for under the most dire of medicinal reasons, the drug has no place in our legal system.
Science is finally backing that stance.
But now, it appears the scientific tide is turning away from such assertions. The results of recent medical studies are beginning to change the way advocates and opponents should evaluate the legalization debate.
In December 2007, scientists at Health Canada (the equivalent of the Department of Health and Human Services) conducted a survey to investigate the toxins present in cannabis smoke. Their research turned up 20 times as much ammonia and four times as much hydrogen cyanide than can be found in typical cigarettes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and featured in a Feb. 7 story on NPR's Morning Edition, found people who smoke marijuana regularly have a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Additionally, researchers suspect frequent marijuana usage could weaken the immune system and inflammatory response.
The evidence is building, and it doesn't look favorable for the "marijuana is harmless" crowd. The old talking points are losing credence with every new piece of data that is released.
It's true that the people who want marijuana are going to get it, regardless of legality. It's also true that legalization doesn't mean the next day no one shows up for work and store shelves are cleaned of their Cheetos stock.
But it does mean that the legalization argument should be losing steam. And rightfully so. Marijuana should not be legalized. Except for under the most dire of medicinal reasons, the drug has no place in our legal system.
Science is finally backing that stance.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 35
brian
posted 2/28/08 @ 1:05 AM CST
Open your eyes. When you are dead in the ground how much are you at risk for tooth decay? I would say 100 percent but the Canadians haven't done a study for that one. (Continued…)
Anslinger's Ghost
posted 2/28/08 @ 1:31 AM CST
You sound like you have an agenda other than the truth.
The "tide is turning"? What are you, a cheerleader?
Both of those studies were highly selective in their wording. (Continued…)
Will
posted 2/28/08 @ 2:11 AM CST
When people talk about hazardous chemicals in marijuana smoke, the unspoken implication is that smoking marijuana could cause lung cancer. However, this is (surprisingly) not true. (Continued…)
mikado
posted 2/28/08 @ 2:33 AM CST
How do you explain that the American College of Physicians, one of the most prestigious medical organizations in the country, recently endorsed legal protection for medical marijuana patients and reclassification of marijuana to make it prescribable by physicians?
You can find at least one new scientific study each week about marijuana. (Continued…)
Farris
posted 2/28/08 @ 11:58 AM CST
Tooth decay... gum disease? Aren't these all things that come with smoking cigarettes? Which are still legal regardless of how bad they are for you? How many deaths are caused each year from alcohol? I know in 2005 there were 17,000 DUI related deaths. (Continued…)
ME
posted 2/28/08 @ 7:07 PM CST
where do they find the morons to keep posting this reefer madness crap?
my guess is they employed by law enforcement, big pharmaceutical companies, alcohol lobbyists, the list goes on. (Continued…)
Michael Vandeburg
posted 2/28/08 @ 7:58 PM CST
In my opinion marijuana is legal in america. That is why I wrote the book "Why Marijuana is Legal in America." Based upon one's permanent "rights and liabilities" created by U. (Continued…)
Tebor79
posted 2/29/08 @ 4:38 AM CST
I can't believe a university would post this drivel on the web.
How about reading on the subject before you write such garbage?
Jeff
posted 2/29/08 @ 5:06 AM CST
Let's ban caffeine because I think it should be illegal. Who cares if you think it's harmless or if you think the act of banning coffee from you would violate your constitutional rights. (Continued…)
Mid
posted 2/29/08 @ 11:03 PM CST
This is a pathetic propaganda attempt.
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