THE FACTS
No one has ever overdosed on cannabis:
In 2001, 331 people died from alcohol overdose, with 75,000 people having alcohol-related deaths, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It is believed there have been zero deaths from cannabis use.
Students lose federal aid when convicted for possessing cannabis:
In 1998, an amendment to the Higher Education Act withdrew financial aid from students convicted of any drug offence — 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.
Cannabis does not cause cancer:
According to a UCLA study — the largest of its kind — even heavy cannabis use does not lead to lung cancer. Although marijuana contains known carcinogens, it is believed THC keeps cells from becoming cancerous. Cannabis 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 vaporiser — a device used as an alternative to smoking — which only combusts the THC.
Cannabis is not addictive:
While any behaviour can become a force of habit, marijuana is not physically addictive. Those who experience withdrawal symptoms, if experienced at all, are extremely mild. Nicotine withdrawal is much worse by comparison.
Cannabis 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 weed. There is no evidence that cannabis kills brain cells.
Cannabis 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).
Cannabis has medicinal value:
Weed 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 weed would have a net benefit of about $15 billion per year:
If cannabis 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 LIES
The gateway theory:
Correlation does not prove causation. Similarly, as Austin, Texas criminal defence 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?
Cannabis causes people to be unmotivated:
See our list of the top 5 most successful cannabis users for proof that this is not true. Some of the most successful people of recent times admit to being regular cannabis users.
