I have yet to see a study that proves pot smoking causes cancer. I have seen many that show no link. There are many things that cause cancer. Gasoline is a carcinogen. Should we pass a law that everyone filling their tank needs to wear gloves and a respirator? The vast majority of people who smoke pot, and drink, don't ever hurt anyone else because of it.
I'm curious as to what you enjoy doing, Vicky. I'll bet I could come up with reasons as strong as yours why some of them should be illegal. At least using the reasoning I've been hearing. I don't see that the government has any business tellin anyone what they can do as long as it doesn't endanger others. Once you cross that line, then the law can take over, but you can't keep someone from doing something because they might abuse it. Maybe cell phones should be illegal. They may cause cancer, and you might talk on it while driving and kill someone. You might even call in a bomb threat, so perhaps all phones should be illegal.
That is the road to totalitarianism.
Ok, I'll give you 6 links. But like I already said, you'll probably be able to provide just as many saying that it DOESN'T cause cancer. Honestly, there hasn't been a huge amount of research on the subject since it is "taboo". But sometimes the people who DO research it don't want to believe to can cause cancer so they choose small subject groups that haven't been smoking long enough to see any signs of cancer.
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0598.html
"One thing to keep in mind, though, is that marijuana smokers usually inhale more deeply and keep the smoke in their lungs for a longer period than tobacco smokers. It is possible that these behaviors increase the lung's exposure to the chemical by-products of smoking. Burning marijuana for smoking releases many substances other than THC, the ingredient which produces the drug's psychoactive effects. THC does not appear to be carcinogenic, but some of the other chemicals released by both marijuana and tobacco smoke are problematic. These include tar, carbon monoxide, and cyanide. One known carcinogen, benzopyrene, though found in both types of smoke, seems to be greater in pot smoke. "
http://www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm
"Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. Therefore, the smoke is in contact with lung tissues for long periods of time, which irritates the lungs and damages the way they work. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients in tobacco smoke that can cause emphysema and cancer. In addition, many marijuana users also smoke cigarettes; the combined effects of smoking these two substances creates an increased health risk. "
http://articles.cnn.com/1998-08-18/...arettes-smoke-tobacco-cigarettes?_s=PM:HEALTH
"The study also showed that habitual smoking of tobacco, marijuana or crack cocaine in combination could potentially lead to more cancerous alterations in the molecular makeup of cellular structure than single smoking alone."
While I do not agree with this site saying that medical marijuana is a "fraud" it does provide evidence that smoking it can cause cancer.
http://www.aim.org/media-monitor/medical-marijuana-causes-cancer/
"Epidemiological studies made during the past 30 years have found that marijuana causes lung damage and probably cancer. The new study took blood samples, measured lung function and tested non-smokers and smokers for antioxidant markers."
http://www.ktvu.com/news/19805433/detail.html
"Spokesman Sam Delson says the state agency found marijuana smoke contains 33 of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke. Delson says the findings came from a review of more than 30 scientific papers."
And finally, a word from the Center for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001143.htm
"impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers. Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use."
As for what I enjoy doing the list is as follows
Drawing
Being on the computer
Watching TV
Hanging out with my boyfriend
Thinking of stories/characters/silly stuff
Caring for my pets
Talking to people about pets
Cooking
@ZoologyGirl Haha XD Parcheesi. I think the service should be at least offered, just in case.
@ Kathy, true, but I still think we should protect people from themselves in some cases. It just makes more sense to me.
@elrojo, I'd let people eat it instead of smoking it because it's less harmful that way, if not totally harmless. It's not about not wanting people to feel high, or feel good because they're high. It's not about controlling everyone's actions all the time or making it illegal just because I personally hate the stuff. It's about making sure people don't get hurt.
