Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n416/a08.html
Author: Kurt Freund

NO SMOKING GUN IN POT'S DANGER

Re: "Primary dangers of marijuana being overlooked," Aug. 18 letter 
to the editor.

Letter-writer Jim Bower quotes the American Lung Association 
regarding marijuana smoke containing more carcinogens than tobacco 
smoke. That might be true, but there is not a single documented case 
of marijuana use causing significant lung damage. According to 
Harvard Medical School, "Although cannabis has been smoked widely in 
Western countries for more than four decades, there have been no 
reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana."

Considering the large number of people trying to find arguments 
against marijuana use, whatever their motives, it is especially 
significant that not a single "smoking gun" has been found. Marijuana 
is not a starter drug, it is not addictive, and it does not cause lung disease.

Kurt Freund,

Loveland
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