Marijuana + Medicare, a potent combination

[account_inactive]

My thoughts on carcinogen load: If tobacco and marijuana were consumed (smoked) in the same volume/weight my guess it would be the same carcinogen load. They are both plants. When burned and inhaled, except for the nicotine and THC, the other cancer causing agents should be present in a similar profile.

The fact that tobacco smokers inhale a larger burned volume than marijuana only smokers (typically) the carcinogen load exposure would be greater and you would find a greater incidence of cancer in tobacco smokers than pot only smokers. How many pot smokers do you know that smoke up to 40 joints a day?

But don't cigarettes have a lot of added chemicals and stuff?

Yeah, most brands do.

[Alex K]

Do you know where the chart comes from. Why would weed be harmful to others?

And what is an "overall harm score"!

[Losty]

I saw someone on mushrooms once and she freaked the fuck out and it was terrifying. That's gotta be at least 1 point to harm towards others.

[Silver]

Mary Jane works just fine on its own without an old person getting involved.

[Jackalope]

How many pot smokers do you know that smoke up to 40 joints a day?

Zero. However, I know pot smokers who will rip monster bong hits to the point where the resultant cough will make you think their lungs are going to explode. So I'm not sure a apples-apples comparison can be made here.

[Faith No More]

Do you know where the chart comes from. Why would weed be harmful to others?

Shit, sorry, I was super tired when I posted that and forgot to post the link.  Here it is...

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view....eID=004477

And here's the a quote from the site...

Individual harm (such as dependence, mortality, and impairment of mental functioning) was considered under "harm to users," while "harm to others" (such as crime, environmental damage, and international damage) took into account the number and extent of others harmed by individual drug use.

So, I imagine that much of the "harm to others" has to do with its illegal status in most places and the fact that that fuels a lot of crime.  To be honest, though, I have to question this chart a bit.  Benzodiazepines are extremely addictive, and going through a severe withdrawal can kill you.  So, it's shocking for me to see it lower than marijuana.  Here's a another list with a different conclusion...

http://www.welshcouncil.org.uk/english/dangerlist.html

So, take from this what you will, as there appears to be no real consensus on how harmful each drug is.  All I know is that through personal experience and the information I've absorbed from doctors, one of the most dangerous drugs is the one that's readily available and legal in the entire U.S. and most countries (alcohol).