Pubdate: Sat, 12 Apr 2003
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n513/a08.html
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n497/a03.html
Author: Adam Scriven
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CANNABIS AS ADDICTIVE AS CAFFEINE

RICHARD DISHAN'S April 9 letter says the claim that "no one has died from 
marijuana" is specious.

Given that there has never been a reported death from cannabis use, ever, 
it would seem that it is, in fact, Dishan's argument that is specious.

Can he point to a study, or even a single reported case of lung cancer or 
death from cannabis use?

Dishan also mentions the "real addictive qualities" of modern, high-THC 
content cannabis, as opposed lower levels in the past. There have been 
numerous studies to demonstrate that cannabis is, at most, as addictive as 
caffeine. So if we are using "real addictive qualities" as reasons for 
prohibition, we should look at caffeine in the same light we look at 
cannabis, and caffeine is something that most of us regularly allow our 
children to consume!

Adam Scriven

(Don't come for my coffee or I'm going to be really upset.)
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MAP posted-by: Jackl