IGNORANT DOCTORS

As a proponent of medical marijuana, I frequently receive tragic appeals
from individuals suffering from numerous conditions that marijuana helps.
These people are unable to legally acquire their medicine because Colorado
doctors are ignorant of the science behind marijuana as medicine or are
intimidated by the federal government's mindless campaign against its use.
One of the arguments against the use of marijuana for any reason is its
carcinogenic potential. Prohibition supporters often cite that marijuana
smoke has even more cancer-causing compounds than does tobacco smoke.
However, this reasoning is incomplete. Recent scientific studies have shown
that there are cancer-causing effects that are specifically due to
nicotine. In fact, nicotine-through nicotine receptors in the
airways-protects cells damaged by the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke
from dying. Cells that are genetically damaged by carcinogens and protected
from dying are the cells that go on to become cancer cells. Hence,
consistent with epidemiological studies, tobacco causes lung cancer whereas
marijuana does not.

Dr. Robert J. Melamede/Chairman, Biology Department/University of
Colorado-Colorado Springs