Steve Buyer: “Americans take their medicine in pills, shots, sprays, solutions, drops, creams, and suppositories... but no medicine in…”

“Americans take their medicine in pills, shots, sprays, solutions, drops, creams, and suppositories... but no medicine in the United States is smoked. Proponents of marijuana argue that our compassion for those suffering physical ailments should override our common sense and steadfastness in combating illegal drugs. With regard to cancer, proponents argue that marijuana will decrease the nausea associated with chemotherapy. The Truth is that marijuana contains cancer-causing substances, many of which are in higher concentrations than in tobacco. The National Cancer Institute reports that new drugs have been shown more effective than marijuana. With regard to AIDS, proponents argue that smoking marijuana will relieve the physical wasting aspects of the disease. The Truth is smoking, whether tobacco or marijuana or crack cocaine, has been shown to increase the risk of developing bacterial pneumonia in HIV-positive immune-compromised patients. After 30 years of research, we know that marijuana impairs learning and memory, perception and judgement. It impairs complex motor skills and judgement of speed and time. Among chronic users it decreases drive and ambition. Finally, marijuana use among our young people is increasing... alarmingly so. From 1992 to 1996, marijuana use increased by 253 percent among 8th graders, 151 percent among 10th graders, and 84 percent among 12th graders.”