Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"Isn't Cannabis Too Dangerous of a Substance to be Used as Medicine?"

     A common misconception of those who oppose medicinal cannabis is that it does more harm than good.  This notion is bad for a few reasons.  Let us explore the truth of the safety and risks of using cannabis.
     Firstly, the health risks of cannabis have been exaggerated by people with an agenda.  See my numerous articles: *Cannabis versus Tobacco**Cannabis Kills Brain Cells*, and *Does Cannabis Make You Stupid?*  Numerous studies have shown that there is very little risk in the use of medical cannabis.  The American College of Physicians report that cannabis has a "relatively low toxicity."  The 1999 Institute of Medicine report claims, "the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications."
     Secondly, let's be reasonable here... Doctors can prescribe cocaine, methamphetamine, and morphine.  Who would dare say that cannabis carries a higher risk in use than those?
     Thirdly, all medicines have some side effects.  Many common prescription and OTC medications have caused severe physical and/or mental damage and death, yet we are not crying to see them pulled from the market and banned.  Tylenol, for instance, kills roughly 500 people a year from acute liver damage yet folks are still willing to take on the risk and consume it as the need arises.  Not one occurrence of marijuana poisoning has been recorded - EVER!  
     The question is this:  Do the benefits outweigh the risks?  We ask ourselves this question if we pop some Advils for a headache or if we undergo chemotherapy for cancer.  These are decisions made by doctors and patients - NOT the criminal justice system.  

2 comments:

  1. I have emphysema since I was 24,told by 2 different doctors and at the time I was told that I could live 15 yrs and if lucky maybe 20 yrs. I am now 64 and still going thanks to marijuana, without it I probably have pass on.But yet with this proud I can't get medical marijuana I have to go to the street to get it,what is wrong with Mr.Harper? I think he has to be either stupid or blind

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is a shame that you have to choose between living and obeying the law... Hopefully, both Canada and the U.S. both get a clue soon and stop criminalizing people for making personal health decisions.

    ReplyDelete