Pubdate: Wed, 15 Nov 2006
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1520/a04.html
Author: J. R. Jensen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

HISTORY LESSON REQUIRED

Re: Drug tests weed out abusers, Feedback, the Observer, Nov. 8

Paul Drescher needs to update his research base.

A very large-scale study was published earlier this year, and 
concluded (unexpectedly, in the words of the researcher) smoking 
marijuana, even regularly and heavily, does not lead to lung cancer. 
In fact, the study looked at head, neck and lung cancer, and found no 
increase in any of these. (The study did find a 20-fold increase in 
lung cancer among people who smoked two or more packs of cigarettes a day.)

Take note of the fact the researcher who led this study, Donald 
Tashkin (a California pulmonologist), also did the earlier research 
indicating (apparently erroneously) smoking marijuana was more 
dangerous than smoking cigarettes. His earlier research (which 
Drescher was likely citing) has therefore been refuted by his latest findings.

As for what drug tests detect, it isn't tar and toluene. They're 
looking for THC, one of the cannabinoids in cannabis. Tashkin stated 
while marijuana does contain cancer causing chemicals (as do 
cigarettes), the THC in marijuana may kill aging cells and keep them 
from becoming cancerous.

Given there is recent research indicating cannabis may help prevent 
Alzheimer's disease, that it kills certain brain tumors, and regrows 
brain cells, he may be right.

Cannabis-marijuana has a very long history as a medicinal plant. It 
was criminalized in 1937, on the basis of a self-serving, racist and 
agenda-laden campaign by a U.S. government bureaucrat, Harry J. Anslinger.

Those who want to argue against its use (even by consenting adults in 
the privacy of their home) should first acquaint themselves with 
cannabis history, and then with all the research available, not only 
those studies which support their particular point of view.

J. R. Jensen

Coombs, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman