cannabisnews.com: Smoking Pot Not a Major Cancer Risk










  Smoking Pot Not a Major Cancer Risk

Posted by CN Staff on October 26, 2005 at 09:39:43 PT
By Amy Norton 
Source: Reuters 

New York -- Although both marijuana and tobacco smoke are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, other qualities of marijuana seem to keep it from promoting lung cancer, according to a new report.The difference rests in the often opposing actions of the nicotine in tobacco and the active ingredient, THC, in marijuana, says Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
He reviewed the scientific evidence supporting this contention in a recent issue of Harm Reduction Journal.Whereas nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counter the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke, Melamede explained in an interview with Reuters Health."THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he said.For example, lab research indicates that nicotine activates a body enzyme that converts certain chemicals in both tobacco and marijuana smoke into cancer-promoting form. In contrast, studies in mice suggest that THC blocks this enzyme activity.Another key difference, Melamede said, is in the immune system effects of tobacco and marijuana. Smoke sends irritants into the respiratory system that trigger an immune-regulated inflammatory response, which involves the generation of potentially cell-damaging substances called free radicals. These particles are believed to contribute to a range of diseases, including cancer.But cannabinoids -- both those found in marijuana and the versions found naturally in the body -- have been shown to dial down this inflammatory response, Melamede explained.Another difference between tobacco and marijuana smoking, he said, has to do with cells that line the respiratory tract. While these cells have receptors that act as docks for nicotine, similar receptors for THC and other cannabinoids have not been found.Nicotine, Melamede said, appears to keep these cells from committing "suicide" when they are genetically damaged, by smoking, for instance. When such cells do not kill themselves off, they are free to progress into tumors.THC, however, does not appear to act this way in the respiratory tract -- though, in the brain, where there are cannabinoid receptors, it may have the beneficial effect of protecting cells from death when they are damaged from an injury or stroke, according to Melamede.All of this, he said, fits in with population studies that have failed to link marijuana smoking with a higher risk of lung cancer -- though there is evidence that pot users have more respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections.If marijuana does not promote lung cancer, that could factor into the ongoing debate over so-called medical marijuana. Melamede said he believes "marijuana has loads of medicinal value," for everything from multiple sclerosis, to the chronic pain of arthritis, to nausea caused by cancer treatment.U.S. government officials, however, maintain that the evidence for medical marijuana is not there. Ten states allow people to use marijuana with a doctor's prescription, but the Supreme Court has ruled that federal law trumps state law.Source: Harm Reduction Journal, October 18, 2005.Source: Reuters Health (Wire)Author: Amy NortonPublished: October 26, 2005Copyright: 2005 Reuters LimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:Harm Reduction Journalhttp://www.harmreductionjournal.com/ Pot Less of a Cancer Risk Than Tobaccohttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21201.shtmlPot Smoke: Less Carcinogenic Than Tobacco?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21200.shtml

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Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 27, 2005 at 19:32:16 PT
Related Article from All Headline News
Report: Marijuana Not A Major Health RiskOctober 27, 2005 Joanna Wypior - All Headline News Staff ReporterNew York, New York (AHN) – Contrary to what many might believe, a new study shows that smoking marijuana that smoking marijuana on a regular basis is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes, as an ingredient known as THC, keeping it from promoting lung cancer. Whereas nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counter the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke, according to Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. "THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he adds. Another key difference, Melamede says, is in the immune system effects of tobacco and marijuana. Smoke sends irritants into the respiratory system that trigger an immune-regulated inflammatory response, which involves the generation of potentially cell-damaging substances called free radicals. These particles are believed to contribute to a range of diseases, including cancer. But, cannabinoids - both those found in marijuana and the versions found naturally in the body - have been shown to dial down this inflammatory response, Melamede explains. Another difference between tobacco and marijuana smoking, he says, has to do with cells that line the respiratory tract. While these cells have receptors that act as docks for nicotine, similar receptors for THC and other cannabinoids have not been found. Nicotine, Melamede says, appears to keep these cells from committing "suicide" when they are genetically damaged, by smoking, for instance. When such cells do not kill themselves off, they are free to progress into tumors. Government officials, however, state that the evidence for medical marijuana is not present. Ten states across the country allow people to use marijuana with a doctor's prescription, but the Supreme Court has ruled that federal law trumps state law.Copyright: All Headline News Corp.http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000744557
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Comment #16 posted by cloud7 on October 27, 2005 at 10:16:31 PT
runderwo
Hilarious and true
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Comment #15 posted by runderwo on October 27, 2005 at 00:16:10 PT
wait for the follow-up article
"New Research Confirms Dangers Of Marijuana"Nothing keeps researchers funded like a good controversy, even if the controversy is a manufactured one.
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Comment #14 posted by b4daylight on October 26, 2005 at 20:40:02 PT
Ohh yea
I think we are witness to the 82 year old question.Is cannabis prohibition based on facts and scientfic evidence, or are we just bias to our own morals and beliefs?I wonder how much evidence do we need?wow cannabis now less dangerous than ciggerettes and alcohol... where is the justice. 
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Comment #13 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 26, 2005 at 20:25:26 PT
On CNN
They referenced this report on their ticker tape news report. They stated (i think this is correct) that cigs caused cancer and that marijuana was different and seemed to protect against cancer. I am a heavy smoker, of both products, and am 45 yrs old. i can definitely tell the effect of cigs. and i think the expectorant factor in the cannabis helps to prevent a lot worse damage than what I have probably given myself already. Though, I don't think I am genetically predisposed to cancer. Also, I am uncommonly healthy. I guess I've already been exposed to just about everything out there, and my immune system is nuclear powered. I think the stress relief factor of getting high is enough of a medical benefit for all americans. Stress is the number one killer. And recreational use also helps to prevent cancer. Sounds like this would be a lot healthier nation if we all smoked a bowl. Peace,Rev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchFear: What keeps people from living
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Comment #12 posted by mayan on October 26, 2005 at 18:20:47 PT
unrelated
Here is a very damning article which seems to make the drug war look like the absolute failure that it is...U.S. Soldiers Involved in Drug Smuggling Ring - 
FBI Raises National Security Concerns Amid Military Corruption:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/print?id=1252876It looks like Cindy Sheehan has been arrested again. Regardless, she is to speak at the National Press Club! I hope C-SPAN airs it...Mother of fallen soldier Cindy Sheehan to speak at Nat'l Press Club - Friday:
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Cindy_Sheenan_to_speak_at_National_1026.html
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Comment #11 posted by mayan on October 26, 2005 at 17:40:32 PT
Miracle Plant
U.S. government officials, however, maintain that the evidence for medical marijuana is not there.Whoever said, "There are none so blind, as those who would not see", must have been referring to the U.S. government in regards to their stance on medical cannabis! This government is in a heap of doo-doo as all of their lies are becoming exposed and beginning to haunt them all at once. When the truth about cannabis becomes known to an entire populace that has been screwed by pharmaceutical companies for years, it ain't gonna' be pretty. Here's a related article...Expert finds no link between pot smoking, cancer: http://www.azcentral.com/health/news/articles/1024pot-ON.htmlTHE WAY OUT...Action Alert--Griffin Challenges NYTimes to Cover 9/11:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20051026140023649Retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel Has Questions About 9/11:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/kwiatkowski/kwiatkowski129.htmlUK Book “911 REVEALED” favorably reviewed by Independent Called Misinformation by U.S. State Department:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=703The Big Wedding: 9/11,the Whistle-Blowers and the Cover-Up:
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20051026122546148
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Comment #10 posted by charmed quark on October 26, 2005 at 16:42:08 PT
smoke and lungs
When I was in college, I noticed that many people seemed to get respiratory problems from smoking mexican pot. This was fairly low potency pot, so they would smoke a lot. Almost all these people also smoked cigarettes, but I can think of a couple of people who only smoked pot who got bronchitis from it. So, yeah, smoking anything is probably not good. But the high-potency pot most medical uses would use if they could is probably not going to do anything. One or two puffs, a few times of day is not much smoke exposure.Of course, I think vaporizers are the way to go.-CQ
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 26, 2005 at 13:03:19 PT
Jared3602 
It's good to see you. I've been up in Gary, Indiana when they were making steel and we could see smoke flowing over the streets and it smelled horrible. 
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Comment #8 posted by Jared3602 on October 26, 2005 at 13:00:40 PT:
The Air we breath.
I have lived in NY (half hr NW of the city) my whole life. When I was growing up I knew about 1-2 people in my class that had asthma. Now looking around most of the kids I meet have asthma or know lots of people that do.Just recently they environment people have put up detectors to check on the air quality in the tri-state area. there conclusion is that breathing the air in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) is the equlivant of smoking 3 packs of cigs a day.The air quality in our country is just horriable. I am just amazed at the air quality when I go up state. It is so much cleaner then I am used to. 
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 26, 2005 at 12:58:25 PT
Hi kapt
I check the stats every morning and it is really good to see how we are growing. 
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Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on October 26, 2005 at 12:56:39 PT:
Unrelated: Seen the stats lately?
http://cannabisnews.com/stats/Look at October the 24th: over 200K hits. In one, count 'em, ONE day. If this is right, it is a record of some renown. I went to see what Joyce's site traffic looked like...and couldn't see anything. Not a single blip. They don't even have records for the past few months. Hmmm...I wonder why?
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 26, 2005 at 11:51:42 PT

lombar 
I agree with you. I don't mean that smoking isn't harmful but I do believe like you that other invisible fumes we inhale all the time cause damage too.
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Comment #4 posted by lombar on October 26, 2005 at 11:44:13 PT

Been plagued with them all my life.
When I was young I had a zillion allergies and could not tolerate much. Most of my problems likely originated with being exposed to tobacco smoke as a baby, it gave me asthma that was not developed/diagnosed until I was a teen. That is what I believe now, people then smoked in hospitals, everywhere, ignorance. I had to move out west to escape ragweed, its my nemisis. I do not get sniffles, I choke. Funny thing is that smoke was irritating but perfumes/oils can just incapicate me sometimes. They don't let smokers on the bus but the miasma of mixing perfumes can be far worse to me.There is way more to it than just smoke. Although I will always advocate people quit smoking, I'm not going to assume that smoking is the only cause of premature death. The air we breath, toxins we are exposed to over our lives, dust, dander, radioisotopes, thousands of unnatural chemicals, DNA...etc, are all contributory causes. I was really upset when city council banned smoking indoors but permits a local pulp mill to vent, and the councillors all drive cars. I get really annoyed at people who drive then bitch about smokers as well..The soup we call air is pretty sickening sometimes.A risk/benefit analysis would depend upon highly subjective variables. It is easier to let people do their own. However, some events in life are far more graphic that discussion can convey. A friend of mines mother has been diagnosed with emphysema and will be on oxygen soon. I saw her yesterday. She smoked at least 2 ciggarettes in the 40 mins I was there. She said she would not be able to smoke once on O2 and that after that its only 1-3 years left. Even still she said she will turn off the O2 and have a smoke. There is no doubt what is the cause and she indicated that she is really starting to suffer. A statistic can be ignored, but a funeral cannot.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 26, 2005 at 11:03:23 PT

Respiratory Problems
Breathing problems have always made me wonder. Many years ago my husband and I quit smoking cigarettes for over 10 years. He has always been wheezy. He was that way as a child and got pneumonia a number of times. The odd thing is all the years that my husband didn't smoke cigarettes he didn't get any improvement in his breathing. I have good lung capacity and the only thing that happened to me during the ten years I didn't smoke was I ate too much food and had a hard time getting my weight back to normal but I finally did. I believe people are predisposed to some things and nothing much will change it for them. Neither of us have or had cancer in our immediate family and most of my family smokes cigarettes and that is taking in a lot of people.
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Comment #2 posted by lombar on October 26, 2005 at 10:51:09 PT

I'm not so sure of this either
"though there is evidence that pot users have more respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections."I used to smoke tobacco and cannabis(not together like europeans). I used to get bronchitis 2-3 times per year. After I quit smoking ciggarettes, the only time I ever get bronchitis is directly following a cold, and not every time. Very infrequent even when I was chronic. Smoking anything is probably not good for lungs, it is the ONLY real argument the state has that is even remotely true. Of course 'smoking' is not the only way to ingest cannabinoids! (quoted from Cal NORML/MAPS Study )
"The study suggests that medical marijuana patients can avoid the respiratory hazards of smoking by using a vaporizer. In its 1999 report on medical marijuana, the Institute of Medicine recommended against long-term use of smoked marijuana because of the health risks of smoking. However, the IOM failed to take account of vaporizers."
Be wise, vaporize!
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Comment #1 posted by cloud7 on October 26, 2005 at 10:30:01 PT

Am I going crazy?
Did I just see an article titled "Smoking Pot Not a Major Cancer Risk" from a major news organization?I'm shocked. The wall of prohibition is falling.
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