"Pot Is Virtually Harmless"
"You're either for personal freedom or you're not. If you don't like it, don't use it." Al Stephenson, Facebook - July 27, 2014
The above comment and cartoon were in response to two items, one from the American Heart Association, the other from the National Institutes of Health that I posted on the Facebook page of Rep, Andy Harris concerning the dangers of marijuana. The full text is below.
My initial response was, "The irony about the cartoon is its portrayal that even the 'government' says marijuana is harmless. The 2nd report I citied is from a government agency, the National Institutes of Health - 'The current state of science on the adverse health effects of marijuana use links the drug to several significant adverse effects including addiction.' A question to consider is, why has the cartoon lied?"
However, an examination of the post, its half-truths and omissions will serve to highlight the ignorance, willful and otherwise, that pro-recreational legalization groups have foisted up on the American Public.
1) "Many studies." - It's a sure bet that this is in reference to legitimate studies that have been reinterpreted by NORML and similar organizations.
2) "Even from our government." - As mentioned, the statement from the National Institutes of Health demonstrates just how deceitful this "truth" is.
3) "Find that pot is virtually harmless." - Indeed, there are published studies in medical and and scientific journals that have found a lack of evidence in certain casual relationships, however the majority of studies have shown that there are real concerns, but it doesn't make sense to say that smoking marijuana is "virtually harmless," when for over 40 years we've know about the price of smoking tobacco.
This is what the American Lung association has to say about marijuana:
"In fact, cannabis is one of the most beneficial plants." This is a matter opinion. It has been demonstrated that cannabis is beneficial for certain legitimate medical concerns, but there are many organic sources that also do that a.
My initial response was, "The irony about the cartoon is its portrayal that even the 'government' says marijuana is harmless. The 2nd report I citied is from a government agency, the National Institutes of Health - 'The current state of science on the adverse health effects of marijuana use links the drug to several significant adverse effects including addiction.' A question to consider is, why has the cartoon lied?"
However, an examination of the post, its half-truths and omissions will serve to highlight the ignorance, willful and otherwise, that pro-recreational legalization groups have foisted up on the American Public.
1) "Many studies." - It's a sure bet that this is in reference to legitimate studies that have been reinterpreted by NORML and similar organizations.
2) "Even from our government." - As mentioned, the statement from the National Institutes of Health demonstrates just how deceitful this "truth" is.
3) "Find that pot is virtually harmless." - Indeed, there are published studies in medical and and scientific journals that have found a lack of evidence in certain casual relationships, however the majority of studies have shown that there are real concerns, but it doesn't make sense to say that smoking marijuana is "virtually harmless," when for over 40 years we've know about the price of smoking tobacco.
This is what the American Lung association has to say about marijuana:
- “Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals.”
- “There are 33 cancer-causing chemicals contained in marijuana.”
- “Marijuana smoke also deposits tar into the lungs. In fact, when equal amounts of marijuana and tobacco are smoked, marijuana deposits four times as much tar into the lungs."
"In fact, cannabis is one of the most beneficial plants." This is a matter opinion. It has been demonstrated that cannabis is beneficial for certain legitimate medical concerns, but there are many organic sources that also do that a.
Original Post / July 25, 2014
Hello Andy, I just sent the following letter-to-the editor to the Baltimore Sun:
With regard to Dan Rodrick’s July 22 comment about Andy Harris “grandstanding,” concerning the legalization of recreational marijuana, Harris stands in good company.
An April 23, 2014 report by the American Heart Association says, "The general public thinks marijuana is harmless, but information revealing the potential health dangers of marijuana use needs to be disseminated to the public …”
From the June 5, 2014 repot by National Institutes of Health: “The current state of science on the adverse health effects of marijuana use links the drug to several significant adverse effects including addiction.”
These are just two of seven research articles that have come out in 2014 concerning the dangers of marijuana.
For concerned parents, worst is the effect of marijuana on the cognitive abilities of kids, teens, and young adults, something that’s already been known for a number of years.
Thanks to the half-truths, omission of facts, reinterpretation of research, and willful ignorance of selfish political activist groups like NORML, America now stands at the precipice of a major health crisis.
While some of Harris’s views may indeed be questionable, on the issue of marijuana, it is not.
George F. Spicka
Hello Andy, I just sent the following letter-to-the editor to the Baltimore Sun:
With regard to Dan Rodrick’s July 22 comment about Andy Harris “grandstanding,” concerning the legalization of recreational marijuana, Harris stands in good company.
An April 23, 2014 report by the American Heart Association says, "The general public thinks marijuana is harmless, but information revealing the potential health dangers of marijuana use needs to be disseminated to the public …”
From the June 5, 2014 repot by National Institutes of Health: “The current state of science on the adverse health effects of marijuana use links the drug to several significant adverse effects including addiction.”
These are just two of seven research articles that have come out in 2014 concerning the dangers of marijuana.
For concerned parents, worst is the effect of marijuana on the cognitive abilities of kids, teens, and young adults, something that’s already been known for a number of years.
Thanks to the half-truths, omission of facts, reinterpretation of research, and willful ignorance of selfish political activist groups like NORML, America now stands at the precipice of a major health crisis.
While some of Harris’s views may indeed be questionable, on the issue of marijuana, it is not.
George F. Spicka