Legalizing Marijuana: Pot Smoke Contains Both Toxic and Therapeutic Chemicals

Despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of marijuana, it has been used therapeutically for numerous conditions associated with chronic pain. The results on the efficacy of marijuana are mixed. Most users claim to find relief from their symptoms after smoking pot, whilst experts in the field disagree; in fact most experts are quick to point out the negative health impact of pot. The experts are solidly backed with scientific proof.

Using Marijuana Therapeutically

As an example, a study where marijuana was used therapeutically for individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), showed that the marijuana caused cognitive and memory problems in the MS patients (Omar Ghaffar and Anthony Feinstein, “Multiple sclerosis and cannabis: A cognitive and psychiatric study.” Neurology, Jul 2008; 71: 164 - 169.)

Marijuana Smoke is Laden with Toxins

Scientific evidence also shows that legalizing marijuana would expose the population to a variety of toxic compounds. When compared to cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke contains higher levels of ammonia, aromatic amines and hydrogen cyanide. This evidence suggests that pot smokers also increase their risk of developing lung cancer and other lung diseases (Moir D, Rickert WS, Levasseur G, Larose Y, Maertens R, White P, Desjardins S., “A comparison of mainstream and sidestream marijuana and tobacco cigarette smoke produced under two machine smoking conditions.” Chem Res Toxicol. 2008 Feb;21(2):494-502.) In another study, researchers found the marijuana smokers developed bullous lung disease sooner than cigarette smokers. While cigarette smoker typically develop emphysema at 65 years, bullous lung disease is seen in chronic marijuana smokers at about 41 years (Hii S.W., Tam J.D.C., Thompson B.R., Naughton, M.T., “Bullous lung disease due to marijuana”, Respirology 2008; 13: 122-127 abstract).

Marijuana Contains Carcinogens

Focusing on aldehyde, a known carcinogen and chemical found in marijuana smoke, scientists were able to provide evidence that the marijuana smoke component was able to damage DNA (Singh et al. “Evaluation of the DNA Damaging Potential of Cannabis Cigarette Smoke by the Determination of Acetaldehyde Derived N2-Ethyl-2′-deoxyguanosine Adducts”, Chemical Research in Toxicology, 2009; 22 (6): 1181.)

Compromise in the Legal Battle Over Marijuana's Therapeutic Use

The stigma attached to marijuana smokers as drug addicts is difficult to overcome when attempting to legalize the use of the drug for therapeutic purposes. Those suffering from chronic pain who have turned to pot as an antidote know the benefits well. However, the science does not back up their observations. In fact marijuana usage continues to rack up negative scientific reviews: as a cause of cancer, respiratory complications, cognitive and memory problems and as having a negative effect on COPD. The common ground would be for the scientific community to perhaps isolate the beneficial pharmaceutical compounds in the marijuana. Once the compound or compounds are isolated, then the dose and effect relationship can be studied to better serve those with chronic pain.

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Jul 8, 2009 9:36 AM

Guest :

Legalizing marijuana is a domino effect. What's next cocaine??? Start changing the controlled substances platform, (i.e. schedules) and the can of worms will be out and about looking to see what they can un-controll later. They attack cigarettes and health issues. What about long term brain damage from thc, let alone the accidents that will happen from so many people being under the influence while driving and being at work. Then one wonders why this country is losing itself. I was raised with two parents that smoked cigarettes and I smoke. Im 60 and still here. Well lets say that in the year, 2030, and there are only a handful of people that never smoked marijuana, the study then will indicate what a huge mistake they made thirty years past from legalizing a controlled substance.

Aug 29, 2009 7:25 AM

Guest :

If you knew any information on marijuana or cared to read up on it, then you would know it is nothing like cocaine or heroin etc. It does not damage DNA, contain any addictive characteristics and no one in history has ever died from an overdoes, unlike other drugs. They legalized alcohol and cigarettes because they were more easily controlled substances they would be able to tax.And coming from a cigarette smoker, did you know tobacco is grown in soil heavily concentrated with radiation and the tobacco plant absorbs the nuclear radiation.