cannabisnews.com: Think Before You Light Up, Take a Puff Think Before You Light Up, Take a Puff Posted by CN Staff on August 31, 2004 at 15:22:57 PT By Dr. Sean Kenniff Source: Miami Herald Q: Is marijuana dangerous for your health?A: There is an ongoing debate about marijuana's safety.Toni Latino of the Florida chapter of N.O.R.M.L., the national organization for the reform of marijuana laws, considers marijuana nearly harmless. ''There is not any amount of marijuana that you can use that will kill you,'' she said. ``In fact marijuana is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.''Compared to legal substances, she has a point. Cigarettes kill 400,000 people in the United States each year. Alcohol kills 100,000. But overdose deaths from marijuana are virtually unheard of.So what's wrong with taking a toke from time to time? Plenty, according to Bernie Diaz of the Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community. ''In South Florida we can say nearly 100 percent of youthful adolescents that are in treatment right now state that marijuana is the primary drug of their addiction,'' Diaz said. ``That's irrefutable evidence of its dangerous risks and consequences.''Nearly 40 percent of men arrested each year in Miami test positive for marijuana use, Diaz says, and it's the most common drug found in the blood of murder victims. Marijuana-related visits to emergency rooms are on the rise throughout South Florida, and so are marijuana-related rehab admissions.So yes, marijuana is dangerous to everyone's health.Dr. Sean Kenniff covers health WFOR CBS-4. The advice in this column is not a substitute for consulting a physician. Complete Title: Ask Dr. Sean: Think Before You Light Up, Take a Puff Source: Miami Herald (FL)Author: Dr. Sean Kenniff Published: August 31, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Miami HeraldContact: heralded herald.comWebsite: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/ Related Articles & Web Site:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Your Government Wants You to Lie to Your Kidshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19208.shtmlHigh Time To Eliminate Drug Laws?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19118.shtmlAn End To Marijuana Prohibition http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19112.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 01, 2004 at 17:06:14 PT b4daylight It would be nice. I just don't know how many years it would take to see it come to be. The younger generation might see it happen in their lifetime. It sure is possible. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by b4daylight on September 01, 2004 at 16:55:05 PT ever wonder The government tells us we have a choice. We can either be lawful or take drugs. Let us think about this though. If drugs were legal I would still have a choice right?Yet criminals would go broke and have to find a new career. Kids would see these drugs for what there are, and be really hard to get. People could come voluntarily to drug treatment and we would have lots of money to spend on them from the income we get from the drugs. Our over crowded prisons would house violent offenders instead of drug offenders. Now after that was mentioned I have no choice when drugs are illegal. Yes I do not do drugs, but I have to live in danger due to the drug war. I do not have a choice and must live in fear. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Truth on September 01, 2004 at 08:55:26 PT I doubt it "Hopefully the plants belonged to a Bush supporter"Most herb users know better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on September 01, 2004 at 01:00:52 PT Detroit bust The city of Detroit now has a MMJ law. While I don't know if the case in question involves MMJ, there is at least a chance it does, and I don't see anything in that story about them determining whether or not the plants were for medicinal purposes. Imagine them pulling a stunt like that in California!Hopefully the plants belonged to a Bush supporter... make that former supporter... [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Max Flowers on August 31, 2004 at 23:53:57 PT That pot bust should not stick, that is WRONG A homeowner has the expectation of privacy in the airspace above their dwelling and in theor own yard. If there were federal agents flying over the guy's house they were doing so as guests of the state. They have no legal jurisdiction to just look down with no warrant and go fishing and see what they can see. Those bastards!A good lawyer should tear that apart sideways. I would also sue them big time, as that is a very gross invasion of privacy and a very illegal search, and to let that go unchallenged would be setting a very dangerous precedent. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by CorvallisEric on August 31, 2004 at 21:25:44 PT Miami 1 - Heard many times that Miami-Dade County was a pioneer and big success in the "drug court" movement.2 - What ever happened to cocaine? Club drugs? The South Beach scene? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by ron on August 31, 2004 at 20:55:41 PT Great link to Asa's absurdities AC Like in the gulag, the real criminals are used by government because they have so much in common. Beating up your wife or lying, cheating and stealing from the government that employs you doesn't disqualify you from working security in planes, but cannabis does. Eliot Abrams and Ollie North are prime exhibits of the principle.How much does Asa suck up in tax dollars for this malarky?Bernie Diaz is an idiot, but the Miami Herald is evil for disseminating crude propaganda. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by The GCW on August 31, 2004 at 19:24:49 PT Which system is safest? and it's the most common drug found in the blood of murder victims. """I suspect they don't count cigs and booze.It's hard to believe, more murder victims have Cannabis than booze in their system.I wonder if a study would reveal that if You have Cannabis only in YOur system, You are safer from murder than if You have booze only in YOur system?HmmmWe could be safer by controlling Our system.Could people with THC in their system be the safest over groups that do not?&Cannabis is not a "common drug."Cannabis is the King of the plant kingdom.Drug is a word smutty people use to inaccurately describe Cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Virgil on August 31, 2004 at 18:13:31 PT Tautology logic Sure it is true that cannabis is the #1 treated substance in the government racket of drug treatment. To infer that something else is true because this statement is true is using tautology logic.There is a term that never has appeared on the Internet that applies here. This is an example of a nutcase "duped on dope." I have refrained from using it because I have an aversion to calling laughing grass "dope." Google search results sure need to come here and read the nonsense in this article to see who is "duped on dope."Not me. I am sure that there should be Free Cannabis For Everyone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by lag on August 31, 2004 at 18:05:03 PT druid This is the selling of fear that they are so good at. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by AlvinCool on August 31, 2004 at 17:27:08 PT Asa Hutchinson I found this on CNN. I know it's not part of this discussion but thought some of you may find it interesting. It's about the air marshals and how a decent portion of them have commited crimes from fraud to domestic violence. Asa says they are all worthy except the two that tested positive for marijuana. I guess it never ends huh? http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/08/30/air.marshals.ap/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by warhater on August 31, 2004 at 16:53:52 PT: Bernie Diaz spews self serving nonsense "In South Florida we can say nearly 100 percent of youthful adolescents that are in treatment right now state that marijuana is the primary drug of their addiction"How many of those "youthful adolescents" are voluntarily in treatment, and how many have been forced into treatment by the courts? What is a "youthful adolescent"? are there any eldery adolescents?Nearly 40 percent of men arrested each year in Miami test positive for marijuana use, Diaz says, and it's the most common drug found in the blood of murder victims. Using the same faulty logic I submit that all men arrested and all murder victims have drank milk, so milk must be dangerous.Diaz should face facts. Marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug in America. It stays in the body for weeks after it is smoked. This is why you find it in many peoples' blood/urine. This does not mean it caused their dilemma. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on August 31, 2004 at 16:48:38 PT Thanks gw Someone had to put him in his place. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 31, 2004 at 16:18:48 PT News Brief from ClickOnDetroit President's Helicopter Security Makes Marijuana BustTrooper Finds Dogs Guarding Romulus HomeAugust 31, 2004The security force helping to protect President George W. Bush spotted marijuana growing behind a Romulus home on Tuesday, according to Local 4 reports. A Michigan State Police helicopter was hovering over the area of Bush's motorcade when the pilots reportedly spotted the illegal substance in the back yard of the home."When they were going into the airport, they flew over a subdivision just outside the airport grounds and observed what they believed to be marijuana plants growing in the back yard," said Jacob Liss, state trooper. Two men at the home apparently heard the chopper above and attempted to rid of the evidence, Local 4 reported."They went outside and started pulling the marijuana plants from the ground and then jumped the fence and tried to throw them in the creek that was located behind the house," said Liss.Liss was radioed by the pilots to raid the house. He said he arrived to find two dogs guarding the area where the pot plants were believed to be growing, Local 4 reported."There (were) roughly eight plants at the house ranging anywhere from 6 feet in height to 8 feet in height," said Liss.One man reportedly fled the home and escaped police. The other man was arrested and faces charges of cultivating marijuana, a federal offense.Copyright 2004 by ClickOnDetroit.comhttp://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3696543/detail.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on August 31, 2004 at 15:49:20 PT Druid It's pathetic isn't it? Some people would go to the hospital because they are scared so bad. Fear of jail can make a person react and need to go for help. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by global_warming on August 31, 2004 at 15:47:44 PT Bernie Bernie Bernie "So what's wrong with taking a toke from time to time? Plenty, according to Bernie Diaz of the Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community. ''In South Florida we can say nearly 100 percent of youthful adolescents that are in treatment right now state that marijuana is the primary drug of their addiction,'' Diaz said. ``That's irrefutable evidence of its dangerous risks and consequences.''Is there some equivalent of a latino uncle tom??The guy Diaz, has swallowed the white mans lie..hook line and sinker.."In South Florida we can say nearly 100 percent of youthful adolescents that are in treatment right now state that marijuana is the primary drug of their addiction," does he mean in the "court room" is this the place where they are "stating" this ? Maybe in those "treatment centers"..Bernie Boy, you must be making a good buck, the man has treated you kindly, best that you understand, that licking those "jack-boots" may taste crappie, but it pays the rent.So what that those stupid little people go to jail, or some correction type center, you can hold your head up high, you are a very important person, people will fear you, so what that they do not respect you, you are very important..May God have mercy on your frightened and corrupted miserable soul, as long as you have that crust of bread, you will hold on to it like gold. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Druid on August 31, 2004 at 15:41:44 PT huh? and it's the most common drug found in the blood of murder victims. So according to her logic I am at risk of being murdered just because I partake of the sacred herb?Other than that it's the same ol' rehab propaganda. :( [ Post Comment ] Post Comment