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.