Some Modern Scientific Perspectives on Marijuana

[Mike03]

Over the past couple of days there have been some interesting threads on the matter of whether or not marijuana is a dangerous drug, and also on the matter of how dangerous it is when compared to the danger of other drugs. These are great questions, and the purpose of this post is simply to offer some fairly up-to-date sources/books on this matter. I had mentioned in another thread that these texts existed and was PMd about them, so I just thought I'd post them in one place in case others are interested as well. Since most of them are texts, it would be cheaper to check them out at a medical school library.

They are listed in order of value and credibility:

1. Neurobiology of Addiction by Koob and Le Moal.
2. Clinical Manual of Addiction Psychopharmacology, by Kranzler and Ciraulo
3. Assessment of Addictive Behaviors, ed. by Donovan and Marlatt
4. Substance Abuse: From Principles to Practice, by McDowell and Spitz
5. The Science of Addiction: Neurobiology to Treatment, by Erickson
6. *Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, by Brick

* Actually, this book should be higher; it's excellent.

As you will see, if you do your own investigation, research into marijuana is not nearly as complete as it is into other substances; this is why it's a good idea to check peer reviewed studies occasionally for unexpected results. However, it's not an exaggeration to say that to date, it is fairly well agreed upon that marijuana is not as hazardous as most other drugs, including legal ones such as alcohol and tobacco. It does appear that one can be dependent upon marijuana, and that marijuana use is possibly more damaging to the lungs than cigarettes. However, I have not seen evidence of irreversible brain damage of the sort one can get from drinking alcohol or using Ecstasy or "huffing" hydrocarbons or other substances.

But more research should probably be done.

[annabanana]

1. I like it... "Just the facts, M'am.". . . . . n/t

[Mike03]

5. LOL. It's easy for me to be impartial on this subject because

I tried it in college but got no effect whatsoever. It was not a drug I liked at all.

To each his/her own.

[Mythsaje]

2. Or many common foods, for that matter.

And certainly nowhere near as dangerous as many prescription and OTC medications.

[tridim]

3. There have also been many articles written during the past year..

that talk about the near "wonder drug" status of Cannabis. From PMS relief to shrinking brain tumors, it seems to do it all. Yet, according to our government Cannabis has "no medical value" and is as dangerous as Meth.

I wish I had all the links collected in one place. Maybe someone else here does?

[angrycarpenter]

4. lortabs and oxycontin are the most dangerous drugs i've seen

Because they are as addictive as heroin and grandmas all over the country are taking them in large doses. Just because a drug is prescribed does not make them safe.

People who would never take illegal drugs are jonesing for lortabs right now.

[Warpy]

6. There is a difference between dependence and addiction

and opiates in combination with acetaminophen like Lortabs are generally self limiting because if you take overdoses to get a better buzz, your liver will not like it and you will turn yellow and start puking. The damage is usually reversible, but you'll have to look for different pain control.

Dependence on a drug produces physical symptoms if the drug is withdrawn suddenly. This can apply to a lot of drugs besides opiates, including insulin, steroids, and antidepressants. Dependence doesn't produce craving for the drug, only symptoms when it is withdrawn.

Addiction is a different animal, producing intense cravings even before the more intense physical symptoms of withdrawal start. The AA statement "One is too many and a thousand aren't enough" covers addiction. Addicts typically can't get enough of their drug of choice and keep upping the amount, chasing an elusive high. Recent research suggests that many opiate addicts eventually reach a steady dose of a drug, something that's seen in nicotine addicts, but more study is needed of this phenomenon in a population that is stigmatized and largely hidden.

I'm deeply touched by your concern for elderly women taking Lortab, but perhaps when you get old enough to feel the aches and pains that come with a lifetime of hard work, you'll develop a little more understanding of why they're on them.

[angrycarpenter]

9. I have seen lortab "dependence" firsthand

and the withdrawal effects are horrific. Call it what you like, but to me when a woman is ready to kill herself because the doctor will not give them any more, Then it sure looks like addiction to me.

Pills are a tremendous problem here and I have seen people do things for pills that make heroin addicts look almost reasonable. Doctors prescribe too many of them to people who think that even the slightest pain is unacceptable and they end up taking them for the rest of their lives.

I have seen doctor shopping, pill trading, and many other nefarious activities concerning prescription drugs. Treating illegal drugs differently than prescription drugs is a mistake. They are both dangerous and destructive.

[Warpy]

10. Untreated pain is also fatal

because it leads to social isolation, depression and then suicide.

Any doc who stops a long term pain patient's meds suddenly needs to be sued.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Marijuana is one of the most heavily researched illicit drugs on earth.

The FDA itself put THC through all the standard drug tests they do for any pharmaceutical compound, and they approved of it back in the eighties.

It is not an addictive drug, so, frankly, I don't see any point in referencing books on addiction in a discussion about marijuana.

[devilgrrl]

8. Oh, what do you know? Stoner.

:sarcasm:

I bet you're not successful either.

:sarcasm:

[no name no slogan]

12. Any drug can be addictive (even Aspirin)

but not every addictive drug can cause dependency. Marijuana can be addictive to some poeple, and can even trigger psychosis in some individuals, with heavy use.

[wildbilln864]

11. check these out please...

link 1
and...
http://www.marijuana.org/ChicagoTrib12-18-98.html">link 2
:hi:

[east texas lib]

13. What is the greater danger?

The bong on your table or the "Drug Task Force" armed with those nifty H&K MP-5's
kicking in your front door? Now that would be an interesting study!