Another one o' them smoking ban threads....

[cacophony]

Originally Posted by IsiliRunite

I am tired of people taking the fact that the leaf is just a carrier for cannabinoids that is unhealthy to smoke. When you put being 'high' into context, the actual chemicals that get you high in pure form are quite healthy... There are side effects, but when you synthesize the active canibinoids and give a dose of those together in moderation, the negative side-health effects are compareable to anything you may take for allergies or arthritis.

i love it when people who don't follow the research go on a tear about what the world is willing/not willing to admit about pot.

cannabinoid are huge in medical research right now specifically because of their potential medical benefits. however, the mere fact that it's a plant that makes you feel good doesn't automatically make it good for your health. nor does it mean there's a grand worldwide conspiracy trying to cover up the good stuff you enjoy so much.

the fact is, smoking pot does put you at an increased risk of lung and oral cancers than non-smokers, although the research is still incomplete. it's not a grand conspiracy. you can argue whether it's less damaging than tobacco but that's like arguing whether it's worse to crash in a car or crash in a truck. you're still better off not crashing. long-term high exposure has also been shown to shrink the hippocampus and amygdala.

it's about risk assessment. there are risks associated with pot. enough to make you turn it down? doesn't sound like it, and that's totally your choice. but don't do this namby pamby "it's a plant that's good for you" crap just because it's an activity you enjoy.

i'd like to point out something here. i personally don't think the risks are worth it. smoking anything, in my opinion, is a fairly stupid thing to do to the one and only body you get in this life. i've watched someone die of lung cancer and it's one of the most horrifying things to see. it's not worth it for any reason.

but the difference between you and i, my friend, is that my vision of universal healthcare will treat you and try to save your life if you develop health complications as a result of stupidly treating your body like a disposable diaper. you, on the other hand, would deny me the same respect if our situations were reversed.