cannabisnews.com: Study Relates Marijuana and Tobacco Use





Study Relates Marijuana and Tobacco Use
Posted by CN Staff on January 19, 2005 at 10:59:11 PT
By Micah Ziegler, Contributing Reporter
Source: Yale Daily News
A recent Yale study shows that marijuana use and smoking tobacco lead to similar health problems.University researchers have found that smoking marijuana is correlated with an increased risk of conditions similar to those produced by smoking tobacco and can compound health problems resulting from smoking tobacco. Brent Moore, a professor of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, led the study, which was published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
"What we found is that marijuana use is associated with a number of self-reported respiratory symptoms including chronic bronchitis, frequent phlegm production, shortness of breath, afrequent wheezing, chest sounds without a cold, and pneumonia," Moore said.While about 11 million Americans have used marijuana within the last month and 4 million are daily users, Moore said, the study focused on people who had reported using the drug at least once in the past 30 days and 100 times within their lifetime.Some research subjects smoked tobacco in addition to marijuana, as 77 percent of marijuana users in the United States also smoke tobacco, said Richard Moser, a research psychologist at the National Cancer Institute and a co-author of the paper."It turns out that a lot of the marijuana smokers also smoke tobacco," Moser said. "What we did, though, is statistically control for the number of cigarettes, and even controlling for the number of cigarettes we still found that marijuana use was associated with these respiratory problems."After controlling for gender, age, current asthma and tobacco cigarettes used per day, marijuana use was associated with greater odds of respiratory ailments, according to the study.There is a greater risk of symptoms for people who smoke both tobacco and marijuana, Moore said.The data for the study was collected from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During a three-year period, the survey will create a statistical model for general health in the nation, said Bill Crews, a spokesman for the survey.By relying on the Census 2000 data and its updates, the survey is designed to collect data from a range of rural, urban and suburban counties and a diverse array of participants of different ages, races, sexes, ethnicities and incomes, Crew said."What makes this study unique is that it is using a national sample," Moser said.Moore said researchers hope the study will raise awareness of the consequences of marijuana use."Hopefully [the study] will lead physicians to basically ask more about whether people smoke marijuana," Moore said. Note: Conditions caused by smoking marijuana are similar to those produced by smoking tobacco, University-led study indicates.Source: Yale Daily News (US CT)Author: Micah Ziegler, Contributing ReporterPublished: Wednesday, January 19, 2005Copyright: 2005 Yale Daily NewsContact: opinion yaledailynews.comWebsite: http://www.yaledailynews.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on January 21, 2005 at 16:11:24 PT
Hope
I sure hope it does. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on January 21, 2005 at 15:53:41 PT
Thanks, Don and Max
for the vaporizer information. I'd heard, I think that besides being healthier, they make the cannabis use more efficient therefore cutting the cost of what you have to buy. As expensive and precious as cannabis is because of prohibition, that would have to be a nice benefit. I think your wish will come true, FoM.
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Comment #25 posted by dongenero on January 21, 2005 at 13:27:13 PT
true FoM- one final comment 
My best suggestion for someone interested in a vaporizer is to go to the Overgrow.com forums, do a search on keyword: vaporizerThere are extensive discussions on the merits and shortcomings of various vaporizers. For the most part you will find honest assessments, questions, answers, testimonials and complaints. Vaporizers differ from smoking in a number of ways. Different models suit different styles much as various smoking methods do. One hitters vs, joints, vs pipes ,vs choking bong rips. You can sort much of this out by reading the forums.From there you should be able to figure out which is most likely suitable for your needs and price range. To your health.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on January 21, 2005 at 11:24:34 PT
Just My 2 Cents
I just wish the laws would change so all the great inventions could be marketed without fear. That would make me happy. 
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Comment #23 posted by dongenero on January 21, 2005 at 11:19:03 PT
vapo
Maybe I'll try it if the Aromazap ever breaks. Frankly I find the couple of guys doing the heavy Vapor Bros push on Overgrow annoying. (sorry if that's you)Actually my zap works great. I get multiple hits out of each stem and just load a second stem if I want more..then reload the first etc. Generally 2 stems full is all it takes. One if I just want lighter effect. No big deal.I think the zap is smaller and more discreet judging from pics. I don't really care for the long hooka hose on the Vap Bros either. I'm sure it's probably a good unit though.For me the aromazap works perfectly so, I'm satisfied.
Maybe having a larger capacity would be good if I were passing it around a group or something but, that's not my situation.
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Comment #22 posted by Max Flowers on January 21, 2005 at 10:52:51 PT
All-important warm-up time
By the way, the Vapor Bros takes 5 minutes or less to warm up
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Comment #21 posted by Max Flowers on January 21, 2005 at 10:46:50 PT
Aromazap (don't do it)
I strenuously beg to differ... while good looking, the Aromazap does not work well. If you think that it does, you *really* need to try some of the other ones. My girlfriend got one and is completely frustrated by it. First of all, the little part that contains the herb is WAY too tiny, much smaller in diameter than the inside tube of a standard ball point pen, and not very deep either so it doesn't even hold enough material for a decent hit. More importantly, the convection aspect of it really does not work right either. You can suck and suck and it never really gets to the right temperature and you only get a lame little ghost of a hit. It would be much smarter to just pay the $50 extra and get something that works well and has the huge sales to prove that.If it seems I'm on a mission to discredit Aromazap, I am because I think it's borderline criminal to charge $100 for something that does not fulfill its advertised purpose.
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Comment #20 posted by dongenero on January 21, 2005 at 09:27:16 PT
Hope
Sorry I did not notice your question there.The one I have and the only one I have used is called Aromazap. I've been using it for about 3 years now.
 
It is fairly small, quiet, easy to use and effective. It does take about 30 min. to warm up. I have mine on a timer so it is ready in the evening. They can be left on too but, I prefer to have mine shut off overnight.I think this is an individual, small scale business venture 
judging from the website and the excellent direct customer service I experienced. I don't want to be an advertisement but their product works and they were honest. They are about $100. I found out about them from researching vaporizers on overgrow.com www.aromazap.com 
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Comment #19 posted by Max Flowers on January 20, 2005 at 20:20:38 PT
Hope
The bag type vaporizer is called the Volcano, and it is a German-engineered, top-of-the-line machine that costs about $500. Someday I will cough up (heh heh) the dough for one. I use a "Vapor Brothers" one, check it out at www.vaporbrothers.com. It does have a tube and glass mouthpiece that is very pipe-like. It works extremely well. Please note that there are several designs out on the market, some quite expensive, with very flawed designs that flat out don't work. Among these are the Vapir ($300!!), Aromazap ($100) and all those jar/globe & freeze plug types like the "BC vaporizer" Please everyone, don't fall for these if you are considering getting a vaporizer. Others like the Eterra(also about $100 I think) and Inavap ($125) sort of work, but don't give a really satsifying hit. I heartily recommend the Vapor Bros ($140-150).The key to good vaporization is that the heataed air must move through the material at a certain speed and with a certain degree of tightness (can't think of the physics/engineering term I'm looking for). It has to be done "just so" and some designs simply don't give that.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on January 20, 2005 at 10:17:52 PT
Afterburner
Thank you. Vaporizers are fascinating.
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Comment #17 posted by afterburner on January 20, 2005 at 09:59:17 PT
Hope
Some vaporizers look like a pipe with a big glass bowl containing a heating element and no bag. The only one I've tried so far *was* one with a "big honkin bag" and it was sweet.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on January 20, 2005 at 09:50:27 PT
Torches, vaporizers, and old friends
Afterburner, I love that "torch of freedom" quote. Thanks.Dongenero, and anyone familiar with vaporizers...do they all have those big honkin plastic bags with them? I always thought you could inhale the vapor produced in the same manner you used a pipe. What's the deal with the bag?I miss you, too, Virgil.
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Comment #15 posted by schmeff on January 20, 2005 at 09:08:20 PT
A Few Points on the Scientific Method
This report suggests that like the general population, 77% of the test subjects smoked BOTH tobacco and cannabis. The subjects then SELF-REPORTED their symptoms. The 'researchers' (grad students in the psychiatry dept.) then STATISTICALLY 'corrected' for age, gender, CURRENT ASTHMA and TOBACCO USE.**The 'study' was based on a SURVEY.****The 'survey' was based on asking 100 "yes" or "no" questions to the Magic 8 Ball. Responses like "Ask Again Later" and "You 'researchers' Are Absolute Morons" were statistically corrected. (Okay, I made the ** part up, but the rest is from the article. There is no mention of how large the study was-i.e. how many respondents to the survey...for all we know it could have been 15, with at least one respondent having asthma...or it could have been three asthmatics who smoked six packs of Camels a day.)This is a jumble of theory, speculation and propaganda disguised as a "research study." To generate valid scientific results like they are claiming would require significant numbers of healthy, non-asthmatic study groups who smoked either cannabis OR tobacco.**************************************Out of sight is not out of mind. I miss you Virgil, and hope you're okay.
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Comment #14 posted by afterburner on January 20, 2005 at 04:38:51 PT
Nanny Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Goodbye
"chronic bronchitis, frequent phlegm production, shortness of breath, afrequent wheezing, chest sounds [with] a cold, and pneumonia"I can get all those symptoms eventually from eating too many carbohydrates, even the good whole food ones, and not enough fruits and vegetables plus working outside in the cold. Should I be fined or thrown in a cage for the behavior of necessity and lack of time or money to eat a healthier more well-balanced diet? Should I be ostracized and demonized for those choices when the alternative is starvation and financial ruin? Should the food police be allowed to break-down my door, wave guns in my face, berate me, assault me, confiscate my property without trial over poor food choices that don't strictly adhere to the government regulations, er, suggestions?If the doctors, scientists, and politicians really cared about people's health, they would not force people to smoke outside in the cold of dead winter. That can't be good for your lungs! And the pharmacies that once sold tobacco are still making money off the tobacco-addicted people who are trying to quit, selling them nicotine patches and "delicious" [their word, not mine, sounds disgusting to me] nicotine gum.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on January 19, 2005 at 20:32:06 PT
ngeo 
Welcome to CNews! 
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Comment #12 posted by afterburner on January 19, 2005 at 20:18:32 PT
Torch of Freedom
"The issue here is not marijuana. Marijuana is the messenger, not the message. The issue is whether we will live in freedom or under tyranny. The most basic of all human rights is the right to your own body. The lighted marijuana weed is the torch of freedom."- Dr. Julian Heicklen 
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Comment #11 posted by siege on January 19, 2005 at 18:51:03 PT
At a lose
How is it that the Dept of psychiatry that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders, have any thing to do with Marijuana or is it that they think that people that use marijuana all have mental disorders. BUSHWhat we did, though, is statistically control for the number of cigarettes, and even controlling for the number of cigarettes we still found that marijuana use was associated with these respiratory problems."""" Is this saying they had Gov't. Marijuana in this Yale study."""" This is what it sounds like.  
(Some research) ""subjects smoked tobacco in addition to marijuana,"" as 77 percent of marijuana users in the United States also smoke tobacco, said Richard Moser, a research psychologist at the National Cancer Institute and a co-author of the paper. THEY ARE saying Different  things here.1.There saying that they "" controlled cigarettes"" .....This shows that it was an inhouse study ...2.smoked tobacco in addition to marijuana3. They took it from an 2000 Census data and based on 6,728 questionnaires conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. .....Some one is presenting false information with the intention of deceiving Everyone......
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on January 19, 2005 at 18:17:21 PT
Dongenero
You said, "I probabaly breath in far worse in the way of particulates and hydrocarbons while riding my bike. Your lungs are designed to handle some amount of foreign material and move it out."I think that's likely true and agree with you.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on January 19, 2005 at 18:14:29 PT
I've smoked enough
to make my lungs sore. It all depended, with me, on how harsh and how strong the pot was as to how much I smoked...and sometimes, just because I liked it so much...I pushed the envelope a bit much at times. I paid for those times the next morning with the feeling of soreness and weight in my lungs, the closest thing to a hangover one kind find in it's use, but I recovered quickly and if I smoked "right"...smaller, lighter hits, held less time...I did ok.I've always been one to avoid pain when possible.
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Comment #8 posted by ngeo on January 19, 2005 at 16:23:17 PT:
propaganda
I found this report on the NORML Canada website. It appears to relate to the same study, and it also appears that the study was carried out on people who completed questionnaires in 1988 and 1994. No one doubts the problems associated with smoking anything. However cannabis also appears to ameloriate these symptoms. No doubt if there were real serious health effects they would be obvious by now, and the prohibitionists would be jumping on them. Lacking any evidence of actual harm they are recycling propaganda. I believe the way is being prepared for Bayer (Sativex) to take over the medicinal cannabis market while marginalizing those people who use cannabis for the thought it creates. Free thinkers will eventually face the choice: accept the fascist net or be lumped with the undesirables the fascist system needs - and creates - to maintain its reign of fear. And then there will be even less free thought. Who would use their power of thought to question a system that allows them the freedom to think - even if the system is a police state with a military government, run for the benefit of those who provide the military with its hardware?Public release date: 13-Jan-2005
Eurekalert.orgContact: Jacqueline Weaver
jacqueline.weaver yale.edu
203-432-8555
Yale UniversityMarijuana associated with same respiratory symptoms as tobaccoNew Haven, Conn.--Smoking marijuana is associated with increased risk of many of the same symptoms as smoking cigarettes--chronic bronchitis, coughing on most days, phlegm production, shortness of breath, and wheezing, according to a Yale study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.In addition, marijuana smoking may increase risk of respiratory exposure by infectious organisms, such as fungi and molds, since cannabis plants are contaminated with a range of fungal spores, said Brent Moore, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and lead author of the study."Because more than two million adult Americans are heavy marijuana smokers, these risks represent a potentially large health burden," Moore said. "Marijuana smokers use more medical services for respiratory problems, and these demands are likely to increase as the population of heavy marijuana smokers ages."The findings were based on 6,728 questionnaires completed by adult men and women, 20 to 59 years old, in 1988 and 1994. The data was from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and was thought to provide the broadest snapshot to date of marijuana use and its effect on the lungs in a sample of U.S. citizens.Current marijuana use was defined as self-reported lifetime use and use at least one day in the prior month. Seventy seven percent of marijuana smokers also smoked tobacco. The analysis statistically controlled for the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Individuals who smoked both marijuana and tobacco had increased rates of respiratory symptoms compared to those who smoked tobacco only."Our interest is in the additive effect of marijuana," Moore said.###
The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Comment #7 posted by dongenero on January 19, 2005 at 15:26:15 PT
vaporizer
I agree Max. To me it is pretty obvious from cleaning out pipes or one hitters that are filled with tar after a few sessions that smoking marijuana is not the healthiest method of partaking.
It may not be as bad as cigarettes with their additives etc. but stil probably not the best thing to do.I am a cyclist and do a bit of racing, which even at an amateur level requires a high level of cardiopulmonary fitness.
I don't seem to notice deleterious effects from vaporizing.
Viewing the stem of my vaporizer, which has not been cleaned out in a couple of years, there is a light coating of oil on the inside. I probabaly breath in far worse in the way of particulates and hydrocarbons while riding my bike. Your lungs are designed to handle some amount of foreign material and move it out.It's common sense really...and there are common sense alternatives.Oh, on rare occasion I will still smoke a few puffs for nostalgia. Smoking often tastes bad/burned after being accustomed to the vaporizer though.
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Comment #6 posted by Max Flowers on January 19, 2005 at 15:02:30 PT
For what it's worth
I agree with you guys about flawed study methods, but I can tell you this---I used to smoke cannabis only (have never smoked tobacco), and I had all of the symptoms they talk about except pneumonia.In fact it was those respiratory problems that drove me to vaporize instead. I had really bad wheezing, asthma-like and bronchitis type problems that always went away immediately when I stopped smoking for a few days or weeks. I realize this was probably more me than the cannabis if you will, because I have known scores of people who smoked as much or more than I did, and never had those problems.I think my lungs were hosed from day one because my folks both smoked back in the 60s, and I believe I was exposed to copious amounts of secondhand cig smoke from age 0-8 or so.
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Comment #5 posted by BigDawg on January 19, 2005 at 14:01:42 PT
Hmmmm
"What makes this study unique is that it is using a national sample," Moser said.What makes this study useless is they STATISTICALLY controlled for cigs.Wanna see what harm is caused by smoking cannabis?Use cannabis smokers. Not cig smokers who use cannabis too.And assuming there is such a health risk (I'm sure there is SOME) then lets just do what they do for cigs. Regulate it and make the manufacturer place a health warning on the package.I'm a firm believer that anyone should be allowed to consume anything they want as long as they know what they are consuming and aren't hurting others. Of course... we won't mention the deaths caused by legal drug makers in the past few years because they would rather hide the risks in the name of profit. 
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on January 19, 2005 at 14:01:27 PT
"Yet it also does not say that it DOESN'T."
Easy for you to say, EJ!I've noticed that it is one of the favorite tools of the prohibitionist's propaganda machine.
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Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on January 19, 2005 at 12:34:41 PT
The dog that isn't barking
This is a very sneaky article. It implies that marijuana use also causes lung cancer and emphysema, yet it does not say that it does.Yet it also does not say that it DOESN'T.So what is true -- does it or doesn't it?As Sherlock Holmes said, it's the dog that didn't bark, Watson, that matters. 
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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on January 19, 2005 at 12:17:00 PT
Nanny Scientists
So, what is your point: that the government should continue to cage people for "abusing [your idea]" their health. Vaporizers were invented to ameliorate any problems posed by smoking for medical cannabis patients. Why don't you mention that?
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Comment #1 posted by Dark Star on January 19, 2005 at 12:15:42 PT
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Despite the expenditure by NIDA, this is not news. If they felt so strongly about smoking, then they should be funding vaporizer research.Dark Star does not espouse smoking; I'm more into natural nuclear fusion.
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