Medical Marijuana

Linus wrote: Glass, Reason I wrote in excess for alcohol is because alcohol, not in excess, is good for your health, as proven over and over again by people much smarter then you and I, and have an MD attached to their name. Marijuana in ANY amount, adds no known health benefits. Nausea inhibitor =/= health benefit. If you want a nausea inhibitor, get Ondansetron, as it has VERY few side effects and contraindications. As for why I brought up alcohol vs marijuana numbers is many people, including a few in this thread, tout the fact at how dangerous alcohol is. If something is used more, you're going to have more instances of something bad going on. That is the only thing I implied by that statement. I don't deny that alcohol is dangerous, but so is nitroglycerin, and the health benefits are indisputable.

So, in regards to morality and legality, a substance must have legitimate health value? Is that a joke?
That is akin to saying broccoli should have every right to be a legal food whereas your typical fast food meal should be BANNED.

And how is being a nausea inhibitor not a health benefit? Cancer patients can EAT because medicinal marijuana allows them to, which not only rejuvenates their physical liveliness, but also their mental and emotional.

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I instantly lose major respect for those that are against legalization of marijuana and claim to be well read on it. I understand that the ignorant liken it to more dangerous narcotics, however any person trying to claim that they have the absolute right to tell others what they can and cannot put in their body, knowing that the substance in question is no't nearly as bad as it is portrayed, is to me a completely intolerant person. Hypocritical as well, if you drink alcohol.

Linus wrote: Glassjaw wrote: Cannabis has a demonstrated ability to               improve mobility and reduce morning stiffness and inflammation.                Research has also shown that patients are able to reduce their usage of potentially harmful Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when using cannabis as an adjunct therapy." Just FYI, that's basically saying it's on par with Acetaminophen and Acetylsalicylic acid, just without the GI bleeds caused by Acetaminophen. Pretty serious effect, I must say. I'll have to check on the alzheimers part-- that's the first I've heard of it... but the fact that it came from a pro-legalization website gives me doubts. Can you find me a more neutral website? The website, although I am sure is more pro marijuana than negative, offers both sides of the argument. http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=000130

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=000145

Interesting chart shown here.


Edited by Glassjaw - 31 March 2009 at 11:42pm

Linus wrote: Glassjaw wrote: Linus wrote: Glassjaw wrote: Cannabis has a demonstrated ability to               improve mobility and reduce morning stiffness and inflammation.                Research has also shown that patients are able to reduce their usage of potentially harmful Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when using cannabis as an adjunct therapy." Just FYI, that's basically saying it's on par with Acetaminophen and Acetylsalicylic acid, just without the GI bleeds caused by Acetaminophen. Pretty serious effect, I must say. I'll have to check on the alzheimers part-- that's the first I've heard of it... but the fact that it came from a pro-legalization website gives me doubts. Can you find me a more neutral website?The website, although I am sure is more pro marijuana than negative, offers both sides of the argument.http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=000130 http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=000145Interesting chart shown here. Oh, not saying GI bleeds are GOOD, but the fact that them being caused by tylenol is so rare should not be an instant win for marijuana, especially considering smoking marijuana causes harm to the lungs. Not a clear winner there. Vaporizers <----CLICK THE LINK Still, I want a more neutral publication, such as from a very reputable hospital or some such thing. Found one based off a Scripps Institute study, but ALL websites that quote it don't have any update on it after October of 2006.

Edited by jmac3 - 31 March 2009 at 11:50pm

Linus wrote: As for obnoxious 1) Contribute to the thread in other ways then just "You're wrong because you are".

No. You cannot discredit my argument just because I am arguing the morality side of the issue versus the empirical health side. I can and will do that when I feel the time is right. As of right now, I simply want to know why you think you have authority supreme enough to tell me that I cannot smoke marijuana legally when you can get trashed on Jack Daniels. I want to know why the number one cash crop in the nation is going untaxed, and rather, inversely sucking up massive amount of federal funding amidst an economic crisis.

If you are unwilling to continue upon a discussion pertaining to the ethical side of a completely illogical ban on a relatively harmless substance, then you are conceding that you have no grounds by which to defend it. If you do, then I will be more than happy to join Glassjaw and yourself in a discussion on rather abject health benefits, which resonates to me as a complete travesty because legality should not be pertinent in any way on how good it is for your body.

Jmac, vaporizers don't instantly negate any ill-effects from inhaling marijuana, and I have stated that a few times in this thread.

ALso, Marijuana has many times more ammonia, and other toxic substances, then cigarettes do.

Edited by Linus - 01 April 2009 at 12:01am

No jmac, he doesn't have to prove anything he says, remember?

jmac3 wrote: Also, find me your proof for your ridiculous claims about Ammonia and other toic substances.

Will do---

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7150274.stm

Inhaled cannabis smoke has more harmful toxins than tobacco, scientists have discovered. The Canadian government research found 20 times as much ammonia, a chemical linked to cancer, New Scientist said. The Health Canada team also found five times as much hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to heart and lung damage respectively.

Except vaporizers != smoke...

Linus, the nasty chemicals are a product of combustion of the plant matter, which a vaporizer avoids. Try again.

Also, what grade of marijuana did the Canadian government test? I'd like to point out if they tested ditch weed then yes it could be more harmful than tobacco in some areas since you have to smoke much more to get the desired effect. But if it was medical grade marijuana (using that term to describe the high grade stuff you find in dispensaries) the dose would be much smaller compared to an average dose of tobacco.

I would like to hear your opinion on edibles and other non smoked forms of the drug.

Linus wrote: but that doesn't mean it doesn't have risk factors JUST because it's vaporized...

Plenty of medications have risks. Still doesn't really justify retaining illegal status.

As a matter of fact I still have not heard a single good argument presented in this thread as to why it should stay illegal for medicinal purposes.

I personally, don't care one way or another if it does or doesn't have legal status. Again, I just think if you are going to try to argue something, you should make sense.