- Oxford, United Kingdom: Moderate cannabis use, even
long-term, is "relatively safe" when compared to the health effects
of other recreational intoxicants, according to a scientific review published
in the February issue of the journal Current Opinion in Pharmacology.
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- "A review of the literature suggests that the majority
of cannabis users, who use the drug occasionally rather than on a daily
basis, will not suffer any lasting physical or mental harm," writes
the study's author, Dr. Leslie Iversen of the University of Oxford. "Overall,
by comparison with other drugs used mainly for 'recreational' purposes,
cannabis could be rated to be a relatively safe drug."
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- The author concludes that there is little evidence that
long-term cannabis use causes permanent cognitive impairment or has an
adverse effect on global intelligence. Iversen does acknowledge, however,
that smoking marijuana long-term may cause "the possibility of damage
to the airways," though he admits that "little progress has been
made in quantifying such risks." The author also notes that various
longitudinal studies have found an association between the long-term, heavy
use of cannabis and specific adverse psychosocial features, including lower
educational achievement, though he acknowledges that there exists no "clear
cause and effect relationship to explain the psychosocial associations."
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- NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre praised the
review, stating: "Marijuana is not a harmless substance, though its
scientifically acknowledged harms are quite minimal compared to other legally
regulated intoxicants, including alcohol and tobacco. By far the greatest
danger to health posed by the responsible use of cannabis in the United
States today stems from a criminal arrest or conviction." For more
information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director,
at (202) 483-5500.
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