cannabisnews.com: The Truth About Marijuana The Truth About Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on September 23, 2004 at 07:48:39 PT By Lesley Sacher Source: FSView & Florida Flambeau Dear Director:Q: What's the deal with marijuana? I've always been told that it isn't safe, but my friend smokes it frequently and says that it's completely harmless and that it really helps him deal with the daily stresses of life. A: Marijuana is a hotly debated issue and there are camps on either side with wildly varying and passionate opinions about the effects it has on its users. Scientists and medical professionals are continuously researching the impact of long-term marijuana use, but the study of the cannabis plant is far from complete. Regardless of where you currently stand on the subject, there are some things you should consider before you employ your friend's method of blowing off steam. First, marijuana is not harmless, and while it is not considered by some researchers to be as devastating to the user as drugs like heroin or cocaine, it is by no means completely safe. According to Dan Moore, a health educator at Thagard Student Health Center, marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. "As a matter of fact, marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke," Moore said. "Marijuana users also hold in their breath longer than tobacco smokers, which increases the time the lungs are exposed to carcinogenic smoke and could increase the smoker's risk for cancer."Smoking marijuana may also affect the immune system's ability to fight off infectious diseases. Animal studies have shown that, when exposed to THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) or other ingredients found in marijuana, the normal disease-fighting reactions of many types of key immune cells are inhibited, and the risk of developing bacterial infections or other ailments is heightened. Furthermore, the THC in marijuana connects to specific receptors on nerve cells in areas of your brain that influence pleasure, memory, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception. Sound intriguing? The THC actually has a negative impact on the activity of those cells, and according to a study of 129 college students conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, heavy users of marijuana (those that smoked the drug 27 of the preceding 30 days) found that critical skills related to attention, memory and learning were significantly impaired, even after they had not used the drug for at least 24 hours. The heavy users in the study had more trouble sustaining and shifting their attention, and in registering and processing new information, than did study participants who had used marijuana only three out of the previous 30 days. The research also demonstrated that the adverse effects of marijuana on memory and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects wear off. So, if you find it difficult now to keep up with the hectic pace of college life, just imagine how much trickier it will be to navigate these waters if you're not rowing with both oars!"It appears that, if someone smokes marijuana frequently, that person may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level much of the time," Moore said. "When you're operating in an environment that requires you to be functioning on all cylinders, it's probably not the smartest thing to engage in activity that's going to hold you back.Marijuana has also been associated with depression, anxiety and personality disturbances. Studies have shown that marijuana use has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. Additionally, smoking marijuana during pregnancy can cause lasting behavioral and mental defects to the child in the womb. Of course, long--term use of marijuana can lead to addiction for some people. Several recent government surveys indicate that the number of people seeking treatment for marijuana dependence has risen dramatically over the past decade. Like any other drug, the impact that marijuana has on its users can vary from one individual to the next, but those who elect to experiment with marijuana, despite its possible consequences, need to understand one simple fact."The bottom line is that it's illegal, and if you're found to be using or in possession of it, you'll face stiff penalties from community enforcement officials, as well as those at FSU," Moore said. "So you have to ask yourself if you think the high is worth the risks involved."I hope this will help you make a better decision concerning marijuana use. With all the stressors students face throughout the academic year, it's expected that you'll want to find ways to unwind. Perhaps this information will help you decide if your friend's way is the best way. If you have further questions, please contact Thagard's Health Enhancement Department at 644-8871 or log on to: http://www.tshc.fsu.edu/he/Alcohol_Drugs/welcome.htm for more information.Source: FSView & Florida Flambeau (FL Edu)Author: Lesley SacherAuthor: September 23, 2004Copyright: 2004 FSView & Florida FlambeauContact: editor fsview.comWebsite: http://www.fsunews.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by elfman_420 on September 23, 2004 at 21:16:23 PT Check your cylinders... "So, if you find it difficult now to keep up with the hectic pace of college life, just imagine how much trickier it will be to navigate these waters if you're not rowing with both oars!"This is an insult. Besides, I recently graduated from college and I found that using cannabis before class and tests improved my GPA by approximately .15 EACH term after I began doing so. "It appears that, if someone smokes marijuana frequently, that person may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level much of the time," Moore said. "When you're operating in an environment that requires you to be functioning on all cylinders, it's probably not the smartest thing to engage in activity that's going to hold you back.Bleh... [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:37:25 PT "The bottom line is that it's illegal" Another lie, unless, and until, the supreme court overturns the Raich ruling cannabis is legal for tens of thousands of us.Even the dude's bottom line is a lie. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by afterburner on September 23, 2004 at 08:36:21 PT And ' Marijuana has also been associated with depression, anxiety and personality disturbances. 'Yes, as a remedy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:35:27 PT not pregnancy can cause lasting behavioral and mental defects to the child in the womb.Our two are brilliant. Our daughter is finishing medical school. I've never met anyone more honest then our son. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:32:59 PT and this "Several recent government surveys" notice the phohibitors never name or link us to "the several studies" [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:31:15 PT again "It appears that, if someone smokes marijuana frequently, that person may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level much of the time," Moore said."He needs to change "frequently" to NEVER for this statement to be honest. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:28:46 PT geeeze "As a matter of fact, marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke," Where are the cannabis only smoker deaths????another lie, boy, this one has some 'splanin' to do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:27:20 PT now wait a minute "Smoking marijuana may also affect the immune system's ability to fight off infectious diseases."again, the opposite of their lie is more honest.Cannabis reduces imflamation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on September 23, 2004 at 08:24:54 PT truth? This part is not true:"marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system"It would be true if it said:Cannabis has the potential of inhibiting cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respitatory system" [ Post Comment ] Post Comment