# Is marijuana harmful, and if so, how much? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450 "2012-10-21T19:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/1 "2012-10-21T19:56:58Z")
Based on the recent marijuana legalization thread, I once again find myself wondering about this. As I stated in that thread, whenever a marijuana discussion pops up, people start listing multiple, conflicting studies. I’m curious if there have been any large-scale, long-term, peer-reviewed and generally-accepted-as-correct studies into whether or not marijuana is harmful? If there have been studies which indicated that it is in some way harmful, how harmful is it compared to other products, whether they are home-grown, OTC, prescription, or banned? Is MJ comparable to, say, water (drink too much and you can die from an electrolyte imbalance)? Alcohol (drink too much life-long and maybe you need a liver; drink a large, OTC container of it in one evening and end up in the hospital and maybe dead)? Tobacco (smoke it for a lifetime and maybe end up dead)? Cocaine (snort it once and maybe end up dead)? Also, what specific, measurable effect does it have on one’s ability to drive, operate heavy machinery, react to startling situations or show up for work on time Monday morning? Not looking for a debate. Not looking for personal life experience. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/2 "2012-10-21T20:31:11Z")
Since you point out the tendency for discussions on this subject to tend to bring up conflicting studies (of which there is no shortage, and there are certainly conflicting agendas behind many of them), I’ll just throw in my anecdotal 2 cents. I’ve known a lot of heavy marijuana users. Most of them developed a smoker’s cough smoking less marijuana than the average cigarette smoker would consume tobacco. I would infer that that would indicate a significantly increased risk of lung disease. In regard to operating machinery/driving/etc, I’ve been a passenger with folks who were stoned. IMO, they might as well have been moderately intoxicated. They’re often fidgety, easily distracted, fussing around for a water bottle or some snack food, etc. This hasn’t been something I’ve encountered in nearly ten years (when I worked for DEA, people were generally polite enough not to burn in my presence, and now most folks I know have “outgrown” it). In some jurisdictions, you can be charged with DUI/DWAI for driving stoned (for good reason, IMHO). ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/3 "2012-10-21T20:31:37Z")
Not to be snarky, but you’re asking the type of question that could probably best be answered by Wikipedia: > **[Effects of cannabis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_cannabis)** > > The effects of cannabis are caused by chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, including 113\[clarification needed\] different cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 120 terpenes, which allow its drug to have various psychological and physiological effects on the human body. Different plants of the genus Cannabis contain different and often unpredictable concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids and hundreds of other molecules that have a pharmacological effect, so the fin Acute ... > **[Long-term effects of cannabis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_cannabis)** > > The long-term effects of cannabis have been the subject of ongoing debate. Because cannabis is illegal in most countries, clinical research presents a challenge and there is limited evidence from which to draw conclusions. In 2017, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report summarizing much of the published literature on health effects of cannabis, into categories regarded as conclusive, substantial, moderate, limited and of no or insufficient evidence t Ca... (Follow the citations and read the papers) It mentions a 35-year study about long-term effects, shorter-term ones about driving impairment, blah blah. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/4 "2012-10-21T21:48:57Z")
It’s also going to depend on how you take it. Smoking _anything_ is going to cause lung damage (though not necessarily as much as tobacco), but there are a number of other ways of taking marijuana that wouldn’t have that issue (though may have others). ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/5 "2012-10-22T02:24:50Z")
I have been a passenger in cars where the driver was stoned, and in cars where the driver was high on booze. Stoned drivers never exceeded the speed limit. They were happy driving under the speed limit. Booze drivers seemed to always drive faster than their reactions. I have worked with people that smoked a joint in the evening and were fine the next day at work. I would prefer working with them rather than a boozer with a hangover. Granted not a scientific finding, but accurate in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/6 "2012-10-22T02:37:01Z")
Of course it’s harmful; how could you doubt it? But it is probably less harmful than alcohol, certainly much less harmful than tobacco and infinitely less harmful than long years in prison. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/7 "2012-10-22T02:49:52Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Of course it’s harmful; how could you doubt it? But it is probably less harmful than alcohol, certainly much less harmful than tobacco and infinitely less harmful than long years in prison. Do you have any cites for that? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/8 "2012-10-22T05:06:12Z")
The biggest obstacle to having a clear answer to this question via studies conducted with the benefit of modern medical and scientific knowledge is that in the early 1970’s marijuana was classified as a schedule 1 narcotic in the US and many other countries followed this lead imposing their own strict prohibitions. It has been nearly impossible for most legitimate scientific research to be conducted since that time. Up until then there were quite a few studies that all pretty much concluded it is a relatively benign drug that poses no serious threats to health or society. Here are a few of them. The availability of such studies drops off significantly after the 1970 controlled substances act was passed. 1894 India -[Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/inhemp/ihmenu.htm) > [@](#): > > This 3,281-page, seven-volume classic report on the marijuana problem in India by the British concluded: “Viewing the subject generally, it may be added that moderate use of these drugs is the rule, and that the excessive use is comparatively exceptional. The moderate use produces practically no ill effects.” Nothing of significance in the report’s conclusions has been proven wrong in the intervening century. 1929 US - [Panama Canal Zone Military Investigations (US Military, 1916-29)](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/panama/default.htm) > [@](#): > > After an exhaustive study of the smoking of marijuana among American soldiers stationed in the zone, the panel of civilian and military experts recommended that “no steps be taken by the Canal Zone authorities to prevent the sale or use of Marihuana.” The committee also concluded that "there is no evidence that Marihuana as grown and used [in the Canal Zone] is a ‘habit-forming’ drug. 1944 US - [The LaGuardia Committee Report Mayor’s Committee on Marihuana,](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/lag/lagmenu.htm) The Marihuana Problem in the City of New York commissioned by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, written by the New York Academy of Medicine, and published by the City of New York in 1944 > [@](#): > > This study is viewed by many experts as the best study of any drug viewed in its social, medical, and legal context. The committee covered thousands of years of the history of marijuana and also made a detailed examination of conditions In New York City. Among its conclusions: “The practice of smoking marihuana does not lead to addiction in the medical sense of the word.” And: “The use of marihuana does not lead to morphine or heroin or cocaine addiction, and no effort is made to create a market for those narcotics by stimulating the practice of marihuana smoking.” Finally: "The publicity concerning the catastrophic effects of marihuana smoking in New York City is unfounded. 1968 England - [Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence, Cannabis, (The Wootton Report)](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/wootton/wootmenu.htm) > [@](#): > > This study report on marijuana and hashish was prepared by a group that included some of the leading drug abuse experts of the United Kingdom. These impartial experts worked as a subcommittee under the lead of Baroness Wootton of Abinger. The basic tone and substantive conclusions were similar to all of the other great commission reports. The Wootton group specifically endorsed the conclusions of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission and the La Guardia Committee. Typical findings included the following: > > There is no evidence that in Western society serious physical dangers are directly associated with the smoking of cannabis. > > It can clearly be argued on the world picture that cannabis use does not lead to heroin addiction. > > The evidence of a link with violent crime is far stronger with alcohol than with the smoking of cannabis. > > There is no evidence that this activity is producing in otherwise normal people conditions of dependence or psychosis, requiring medical treatment. 1970 Canada - [Canadian Government Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, (The Le Dain Report)](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html) > [@](#): > > The distinguished Canadian experts on this governmental commission were led by law school dean, later Supreme Court Justice, Gerald Le Dain. The report was similar to the other great commission reports in terms of its non-martial, calm approach to the facts and in its belief that marijuana use did not constitute a great threat to the public welfare. The official governmental commission was remarkable in the extent to which its report portrayed casual drug users as decent, thoughtful citizens whose views deserved the fullest possible hearing by the government in the process of developing drug control strategies. 1972 US -[The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm), by Edward M. Brecher and the Editors of Consumer Reports Magazine > [@](#): > > This is a landmark study, a “must-read”, used as a basic textbook at major universities. It presents a comprehensive, fascinating and highly readable overview of the entire drug issue. It is certainly one of the first books which should be read by anyone who wants to know about this subject. > > The recommendations in this report included: > > Consumers Union recommends the immediate repeal of all federal laws governing the growing, processing, transportation, sale, possession, and use of marijuana > > Consumers Union recommends that each of the fifty states similarly repeal its existing marijuana laws and pass new laws legalizing the cultivation, processing, and orderly marketing of marijuana-subject to appropriate regulations. > > Consumers Union recommends that state and federal taxes on marijuana be kept moderate, and that tax proceeds be devoted primarily to drug research, drug education, and other measures specifically designed to minimize the damage done by alcohol, nicotine, marijuana. heroin, and other drugs. > > Consumers Union recommends an immediate end to imprisonment as a punishment for marijuana possession and for furnishing marijuana to friends. > > Consumers Union recommends, pending legalization of marijuana, that marijuana possession and sharing be immediately made civil violations rather than criminal acts. > > Consumers Union recommends that those now serving prison terms for possession of or sharing marijuana be set free, and that such marijuana offenses be expunged from all legal records. 1972 US - [Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding, US National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/nc/ncmenu.htm) > [@](#): > > This commission was directed by Raymond P. Shafer, former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, and had four sitting, elected politicians among its eleven members. The commission also had leading addiction scholars among its members and staff and was appointed by President Nixon in the midst of the drug-war hysteria at that time. While the commission supported much existing policy, it produced two reflective reports, this being the final comprehensive document, which recommended research, experimentation, and humane compromise. The first recommendations of the commission were: > > Possession of marihuana for personal use would no longer be an offense, but marihuana possessed in public would remain contraband subject to summary seizure and forfeiture. > > Casual distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or Insignificant remuneration not involving profit, would no longer be an offense. > > The recommendations in this reports were endorsed by (among others) the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, The American Association for Public Health, the National Education Association, and the National Council of Churches. 1973 US - [Drug Use in America: Problem in Perspective, US National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse](http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/duapip/pipmenu.htm) > [@](#): > > The recommendations included: > > All public and private institutions should sponsor research and objective evaluation of drug-related issues, programs, and policies. > > Cannabis should be removed from the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), since this drug does not pose the same social and public health problems associated with the opiates and coca leaf products. > > Government should remove legal and bureaucratic obstacles to research into the possible therapeutic uses of currently prohibited substances, such as marihuana and hallucinogens. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/9 "2012-10-22T05:11:14Z")
I thought marijuana’s drug classification happened at the turn of the (20th) century? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/10 "2012-10-22T05:15:33Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > I thought marijuana’s drug classification happened at the turn of the (20th) century? It had been classified as a drug for some time but it was made a schedule 1 narcotic in 1970, effectively eliminating any legal use including almost all medical research. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/11 "2012-10-22T05:51:06Z")
Very interesting Crazyhorse. Thanks for bring those reports to life. But I am confused. With all the positive reports on the weed, how did it get such a bad rap? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/12 "2012-10-22T06:44:28Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Very interesting Crazyhorse. Thanks for bring those reports to life. But I am confused. With all the positive reports on the weed, how did it get such a bad rap? The short answer is probably “politics”. It’s GQ so we can’t really get into the _what They don’t want you to know_ theories. There probably isn’t a specific cite and I’m too lazy to build my own case so I’ll just say in my opinion, it was politically expedient for the administration in power in 1970 to do so. Public opinion was influenced by movies like Reefer Madness and misinformed, unfounded claims in the media and pop culture led to an irrational view of the facts by many despite the existence of these or any other studies. It has remained listed under schedule 1 for 40 years since, in sort of a vicious circle. In order to reclassify it under schedule 2, the DEA insists that there needs to be more evidence of medical value. In order to obtain more evidence of medical value, studies would need to be conducted, but the DEA won’t allow it to be possessed for studies because… it is a schedule 1 narcotic and has no medical value. :smack: That argument has been going around in an endless loop for 40 years. Here is a good [LA Times article](http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/13/opinion/la-ed-marijuana-20110713) on the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/13 "2012-10-22T07:06:37Z")
I’ll have to dig up the cites (if I even can, I’ll try), but I recall seeing a study that says that marijuana has about the same addiction rate as alcohol – that is, the same number of people become dependent on it due to brain chemistry, genetics, life situation, or whatever the reason. Being addicted to alcohol makes you an alcoholic – I don’t imagine the effects of chronic marijuana use are necessarily prettier. (Of course, I’ve also seen statistics that place cocaine and heroin addictions at only slightly 5-10% higher addiction rates than alcohol – though certainly the effects of addiction vary wildly) In addition, if you’re smoking it as a joint (meaning, instead of taking the psychoactive component in pill form), you are **inhaling burning smoke**. This is not good for you. At all. It will cause tissue damage. I’m certainly for legalizing it, but I don’t think the people who are trying so hard to convince everyone that it cures cancer, will resurrect your miscarried baby, and bring about world peace are really helping matters. It’s at best as harmless as inhaling smoke is ever going to be, and at worst as damaging as alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/14 "2012-10-22T07:26:26Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > In addition, if you’re smoking it as a joint (meaning, instead of taking the psychoactive component in pill form), you are **inhaling burning smoke**. This is not good for you. At all. It will cause tissue damage Pill form? I believe the more common form would be brownies. :dubious: There are also chocolate bars, candies, tinctures, oils, and beverages. Not to mention vaporizers. > [@](#): > > I’m certainly for legalizing it, but I don’t think the people who are trying so hard to convince everyone that it cures cancer, will resurrect your miscarried baby, and bring about world peace are really helping matters. It’s at best as harmless as inhaling smoke is ever going to be, and at worst as damaging as alcohol. That’s so in the same sense that at best caffeine can scald your mouth. If you think caffeine equals boiling coffee, then I suppose it’s the case. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/15 "2012-10-22T07:35:23Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > Pill form? I believe the more common form would be brownies. :dubious: There are also chocolate bars, candies, tinctures, oils, and beverages. Not to mention vaporizers. I believe pill form is the legally distributed form of “medical marijuana” no? THC pills in California? I could be completely wrong, I’m legitimately asking. > [@](#): > > That’s so in the same sense that at best caffeine can scald your mouth. If you think caffeine equals boiling coffee, then I suppose it’s the case. Sorry, I’ll admit I jumped the gun a bit there, you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/16 "2012-10-22T07:52:30Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > I’ll have to dig up the cites (if I even can, I’ll try), but I recall seeing a study that says that marijuana has about the same addiction rate as alcohol – that is, the same number of people become dependent on it due to brain chemistry, genetics, life situation, or whatever the reason. Being addicted to alcohol makes you an alcoholic – I don’t imagine the effects of chronic marijuana use are necessarily prettier. (Of course, I’ve also seen statistics that place cocaine and heroin addictions at only slightly 5-10% higher addiction rates than alcohol – though certainly the effects of addiction vary wildly) It is well known at least anecdotally that it is psychologically addictive for some, as can be chocolate, coffee, television, overeating, etc. but I’ve never run across a legitimate study that concluded it is chemically addictive at all - much less anywhere remotely in the same ballpark as alcohol addiction. I would be interested to see some cites if you find them. The costs of alcoholism to individuals and society are very well known and researched, so that will be a difficult argument for you to win unless more research into marijuana is permitted. However, as mentioned in the Times article I linked: > [@](#): > > All research-grade marijuana in this country is under the control of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, whose mission is to research the addictive properties of drugs, not their potential medical benefits. So at least there is a chance there might be some useful studies in that area that are newer than 1972. And the potency and overall chemical makeup of the plant has evolved over the past 4 decades so we are working with a different set of variables today than they were 40 years ago. Morphine and cocaine are well proven to be very chemically addictive and they are still considered to have medical benefits and are listed under schedule 2. Alcohol and nicotine are likewise known to be extremely chemically addictive and they are legal and regulated. Even if marijuana were chemically addictive too, that wouldn’t disqualify it from being reclassified as a schedule 2 drug. But it remains at the top of the list of prohibited substances despite overwhelming evidence and testimony from medical authorities that it does appear to have at least enough medical value to warrant further research. > [@](#): > > In addition, if you’re smoking it as a joint (meaning, instead of taking the psychoactive component in pill form), you are **inhaling burning smoke**. This is not good for you. At all. It will cause tissue damage. Breathing any smoke isn’t necessarily as bad for you as breathing tobacco smoke. Here is a [1975 study](http://www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/hemp/medical/tashkin/tashkin1.htm)of the effect of marijuana smoke on asthma - it had an immediate beneficial effect on the lungs of asthmatics in some circumstances. It is an expectorant. When you cough stuff up after smoking it, that stuff is more than just the marijuana residue. Tobacco for example restricts bronchial passages and marijuana smoke dilates them. It may actually help clean out the lungs of a tobacco smoker or pollution breather to have an occasional hit of marijuana smoke. There again, if there could be modern, scientific studies on the subject knowing what we know today about smoking related illnesses and cancer, we might learn your theory is correct, or we might discover that it isn’t. > [@](#): > > t’s at best as harmless as inhaling smoke is ever going to be, and at worst as damaging as alcohol. Again, your best and worst case theories are both unproven for lack of conclusive study on the questions. But the scant evidence that does exist contradicts both of them. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/17 "2012-10-22T08:06:08Z")
im sorry im stupid ill bite myself im really sorry i never should have gone into gq im stupid im so sorry how do you want me to hurt mys3elf for being stupid ive already bitten myself im so so sorry ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/18 "2012-10-22T08:12:10Z")
and since nobody ever believes me heres pictures [![](http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/Jragonmiris/IMG_0676.jpg) ](http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/Jragonmiris/IMG_0676.jpg) [![](http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/Jragonmiris/IMG_0673.jpg) ](http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/Jragonmiris/IMG_0673.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/19 "2012-10-22T08:27:27Z")
I would have settled for agreement that we just don’t know the GQ facts because there isn’t enough current research. That bite looks painful. If you live somewhere with medical marijuana, they make a cannabis salve that is supposed to reduce the pain and inflammation when applied topically. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450/20 "2012-10-22T08:31:35Z")
I’m sorry everybody, especially mods. I freaked out again :(. I really need to remember not to do GQ or GD, at least not when I’m running a fever and not thinking clearly since it makes me lapse into my old panic attack prone self. I found my original cite, and it’s a terrible cite, it was actually an opinion piece and I remembered it differently. Sorry. And no, the bite isn’t really painful at all, I’ve done worse at least. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marijuana-harmful-and-if-so-how-much/638450.md?page=2)