Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) Copyright: 2003 New Zealand Herald Contact: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300 Author: Dita De Boni Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) JOINTS HAVE MORE CANCER AGENTS THAN CIGARETTES SHOWS STUDY Tar from cannabis joints contains 50 per cent more cancer-causing agents than cigarettes, research has found. The study, carried out by the British Lung Foundation, has reached the same conclusion as a Dunedin investigation, which found that, overall, smoking cannabis was as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. Researchers in the British study found the airways of tobacco and cannabis smokers were affected similarly by tar. The effect on smokers who used tobacco and cannabis together was greater than when the drugs were smoked separately. The study, called "A Smoking Gun?", said three joints a day caused the same damage to the lining of the airways as 20 cigarettes. Further, the research said that the health dangers of cannabis had substantially increased since the 1960s because of increased amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the ingredient that accounts for the psychoactive properties in the plant, in modern crops. An Australian study found last month that more powerful cannabis and its long-term use were linked to impaired frontal brain functioning, which interfered with attention, memory and concentration. Dr Mark Britton, chairman of the British Lung Foundation, predicted the findings would be a surprise to people "who choose to smoke cannabis rather than tobacco in the belief it is safer for them". "It is vital that people are fully aware of the dangers so they can make an educated decision and know the damage they may be causing," he said. "The report is not about the moral rights and wrongs of cannabis, but simply making sure everyone is completely clear about the respiratory health risks involved." Dr Tricia Briscoe, deputy chairwoman of the New Zealand Medical Council, said doctors had long been concerned about the risks of smoking cannabis and it was valuable to be getting more hard data. "It's useful that we are getting some good research to help demonstrate the different risk associated with cannabis use." But Green MP Nandor Tanczos, who is poised to introduce a private member's bill that would allow adults to grow a small amount of cannabis for personal use, said reform advocates had long known that "smoking anything is likely to cause lung damage". He said news that cannabis tar contained more cancer-causing agents than tobacco lent weight to the decriminalisation call. "This [news] makes it even more important that we change the law ... Many people use cannabis and will continue to do so, but it is illegal to do anything to allow those people to use it in a safer way, such as with vaporizers, water filters or eating it." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager