LETTER OF THE WEEK

AN ERROR HERE

By Francis A. Podrebarac, M.D.

AP medical writer Maria Cheng erroneously reported in the The Desert
Sun that cannabis use "may" increase the risk of psychosis ( Study:
Pot may increase psychosis risk, stoking talk of drug's dangers," July 27).

This is reminiscent of previous misleading medical reports that
cannabis "may" increase cancer risk. It is always important to look
for the word "may" in conclusions drawn by biased researchers and journalists.

The truth is that there is no relevant increased risk of psychosis or
cancer in cannabis use. Epidemiological studies consistently show no
link between marijuana use and an increased risk of psychosis.
Moreover, these large population studies show a significant decreased
risk of cancer as well as tumor load in chronic marijuana users.

The fifth paragraph of Cheng's article contradicts the headline given
to it by clearly stating, "The researchers said they couldn't prove
that marijuana use itself increases the risk of psychosis." So why go
with a misleading headline?

On the other hand, there is a pronounced increased incidents of
psychosis and liver cancer in people who drink alcohol and in people
who chronically uses narcotics and/or over-the-counter pain medications.

Let's try to keep the facts straight.

Francis A. Podrebarac, M.D.

Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jul 2007

Author: Francis A. Podrebarac

Source: Desert Sun, The (Palm Springs, CA)

Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n000/a166.html