WEED SMOKERS POTTED

Surely few people would have been surprised with this week's
revelation that new research has shown long-term cannabis smoking is
likely to produce similar adverse effects on smokers as tobacco,
writes The Marlborough Express in an editorial. Human lungs were not
designed to inhale copious quantities of any type of smoke or foreign
matter so it is logical to assume that doing just this must cause some
damage. These latest findings, however, are not based on assumption,
but on hard evidence garnered from scientifically conducted research,
carried out at the University of Otago. Researchers found that, just
like cigarette smokers, long-term cannabis smokers suffered from
chronic bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer, and the effects were
noticeable even after smoking marijuana for only a short time.

The university's respiratory research group recently completed a study
of respiratory symptoms and lung function in 943 21-year-olds. Of the
study group, 28 percent were tobacco smokers, 52 percent had used
marijuana in the previous year and 9.7 percent were classified as
cannabis-dependent. Two-thirds of the cannabis-dependent smokers had
been smoking the drug for less than three years.

Associate Professor Robin Taylor, who headed the research, said:
``Wheezing, shortness of breath during exercise and, most notably,
early morning cough and sputum production were up to 2-1/2 times more
frequent in cannabis-dependent subjects compared with non-smokers.''
Professor Taylor said in 20 percent of non-smokers there was a mild
change in lung function, due to asthma, whereas the figure for
cannabis-dependent subjects was 36 percent.

``These outcomes were similar to tobacco smokers using more than 20
cigarettes per day,'' he said. It now remains to be seen how much
notice will be taken of the research findings. In the past, proponents
for the decriminalisation of cannabis have argued there was
insubstantial evidence to prove that smoking pot caused damage to
health. That argument flew out the door this week, although as is
often the case, it will probably be conveniently ignored anyway by
those who for one reason or another favour cannabis.

Many of these same people have for years ignored and even strenuously
denied the social impact that the cannabis industry has on communities
in New Zealand including the crime and the mental anguish it causes.
Who knows why? It may be because they have smoked a bit too much New
Zealand green and killed off too many grey cells to see sense on this
controversial issue.

That doesn't alter the fact, however, that cannabis is an illegal
substance in this country and that whether they admit it or not, it is
also a proven health hazard.