Because I Got High

The facts and logical fallacies about marijuana use



THE FACTS



No one has ever overdosed on marijuana
In 2001, 331 people died from alcohol overdose, with 75,000 people having alcohol-related deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It is impossible to know the number of deaths caused by marijuana, although most experts agree it is significantly lower than alcohol.



Students lose federal aid when convicted for possessing marijuana


In 1998, an amendment to the Higher Education Act withdrew financial aid from students convicted of any drug offense — including simple possession — before or during studies. Although the bill has been scaled back to include only those convicted while in school, a bill introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., seeks to repeal all penalties. More than 200,000 students have been denied aid by this provision, according to Students for Sensible Drug Policy.



Marijuana does not cause cancer



According to a UCLA study — the largest of its kind — even heavy marijuana use does not lead to lung cancer. Although marijuana contains known carcinogens, it is believed THC keeps cells from becoming cancerous. Marijuana contains tar and other chemicals, which may lead to an elevated chance of bronchitis and respiratory infections. However, these risks can be nearly entirely eliminated by using a vaporizor — a device used as an alternative to smoking — which only combusts the THC.



Marijuana is not addictive



While any behavior can become a force of habit, marijuana is not physically addictive. Those who experience withdrawl symptoms, if experienced at all, are extremely mild. Nicotine withdrawl is much worse by comparison.



Marijuana has not been proven to impair long term brain function



While intoxication impairs learning ability and memory, no study has proven any long-term cognitive effects of marijuana. There is no evidence that marijuana kills brain cells.



Marijuana is America’s No. 1 cash crop



Although the exact amount is impossible to know, one study estimated the total marijuana production in the U.S. in 2006 to be $35.8 billion. That’s more than the combined value of domestic corn ($23.3 billion) and wheat ($7.5 billion).



Marijuana has medicinal value



Marijuana is useful in reducing nausea in chemotherapy patients, reducing the pressure of glaucoma and stimulating appetite for AIDs patients, aside from other treatments for pain. Critics argue the commercially produced pill Marinol is not as effective as smoking marijuana.



Legalizing marijuana would have a net benefit of about $15 billion per year
If marijuana was taxed like tobacco and alcohol it could bring in $6.2 billion, according to a 2005 Harvard study. The nation would save $7.7 billion in law enforcement ($5.3 billion in state and local government expenses, $2.4 billion in federal expenses). Who knows how much of the federal deficit could be eliminated by taxing marijuana consumption.



THE LOGICAL FALLACIES



The gateway theory



Correlation does not prove causation. Simlarly, as Austin, Texas criminal defense lawyer Jamie Spencer put it, lack of correlation does show lack of causation. On Spencer’s Web site, a Dallas lawyer explained why ineffective government programs like the DARE program don’t reduce drug use.



Legalizing marijuana is not a good investment for “the children”



Legalizing and regulating marijuana might make it more difficult for young people to get their hands on it. But do we have a problem with anyone under 15 abusing alcohol today? Why would it make a difference?



Marijuana causes people to be unmotivated



Coed Magazine created a list of the ten most successful pot-smokers of all time.
The list included Sir Richard Branson, Michael Phelps, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner, Stephen King and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.