Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 2004
Source: Varsity, The (CN ON Edu)
Copyright: 2004 The Varsity
Contact:  http://www.thevarsity.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2663
Author: Brooke M.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1345/a09.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA NOT HARMLESS

Re: An afternoon on the grass, Sept. 20

I'm as liberal as the next gal when it comes to the legalization of 
marijuana. However, I do feel that this article has inaccurately depicted 
smoking marijuana as being harmless.

Next to a large photograph of an individual leisurely rolling what The 
Varsity refers to casually as an "herbal cigarette" there lies an embedded 
quotation from our SAC VP which reads "you can't really argue that 
marijuana causes bodily harm".

As of yet, cannabinoid effects cannot be separated from the effects of 
inhaling the smoke of burning plant material and contaminants. Smoked 
marijuana is a crude THC delivery system that also delivers harmful substances.

While the benefits certainly outweigh the risks for those individuals who 
are terminally ill or suffer from debilitating pain, healthy individuals 
should keep in mind that smoking marijuana is certainly not harmless.

Brooke M.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D