THE HIDDEN HAZARDS OF CANNABIS

Sweden leads the world in its knowledge of cannabis, and a 1996 report
quoted by its authorities has shown that marijuana as smoked in the Sixties
is now no longer available in Sweden and presumably the rest of Europe. The
THC concentrations are now around the 6 to 8 per cent mark and in some the
concentrations are 13 or 14 per cent. A joint can therefore vary in
strength just as surely as a glass of lager or, for that matter, wine.

Heavy consumers of cannabis also have a significantly higher frequency of
the cell changes which can precede cancer than do non-smokers. Long-term
studies have shown that when a cannabis smoker develops cancer of the
lungs, larynx, mouth or oesophagus the cancer is appearing ten to 13 years
earlier than in patients whose cancer is thought to be solely related to
tobacco smoking.

In one study, 887 patients with cancer of the lungs or throat were studied.
In the ten who were aged under 40, five were heavy users of cannabis, two
smoked cannabis frequently but not daily and one was probably a regular,
but not heavy, cannabis smoker. In these five, two had cancer of the lungs,
four cancer of the larynx and four cancer of the tongue - many, therefore,
like George Harrison, had multiple tumours. Many similar surveys have shown
an unexpectedly heavy incidence of these tumours and that in many cases it
may account for the disease in younger people.

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Study: THC Not Cancer-Causing
Associated Press, Jan 30, 1997

BOSTON - : A federal study completed more than two years ago reportedly
found that marijuana's main ingredient did not cause cancer in laboratory
animals.

A 126-page report on the $2 million study has not been published, although
expert reviewers found in June 1994 that the scientific methods used and
the conclusions reached were sound, The Boston Globe reported today.

The findings go against the contention of some federal officials that
marijuana is carcinogenic.

A spokesman for White House drug policy adviser Barry R. McCaffrey said his
office was not aware of the study.