In today’s society marijuana is the subject of many debates. Many people believe that it is harmful(both mentally and physically) and highly addictive. Then there are those of us who know the truth. There are many myths about marijuana that i would like to address.

Myth #1 : Marijuana is more harmful then tobacco.

Many people believe that smoking pot is worse then smoking a cigarette. This is not true, the smoke from a marijuana bud contains only 33% as much tar as your average cigarette. Marijuana users smoke less then cigarette smokers. Marijuana has never been successfully linked to any case of lung cancer, and unlike tobacco which constricts the small air passages in the lung marijuana actually opens your airways. Studies have shown that marijuanas ability to clear the lungs of smog, pollutants, and cigarette smoke, it may actually reduce your risk of emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer.

Myth #2 : Marijuana is a gateway drug.

It is a common misconception that use of marijuana leads to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin. There have been studies that say that 90% of drug addicts smoked marijuana first. Well based on this logic 90% of drug addicts went to church at some point, smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, watched t.v., had sex, chewed gum, drank coffee. So based on this logic all of these things lead to doing hard drugs.

Myth # 3 : Marijuana is addictive.

In my opinion in order to be addicted to something not having it needs to have some kind of negative effect when use is stopped. I have been a user for about 8 years now and there have been plenty of time that i have not been able to get high. I have never experienced any withdrawal symptoms, if I don’t get high i don’t get high… no big deal. Now i have also smoked cigarettes for about 9 years and let me tell you if I don’t have a smoke I become irritable, I get a headache, feel nauseous and just crave that cigarette. Many over the counter drugs are more addicting then marijuana, people become addicted to anti – depressants and pain killers everyday. So you be the judge.

Myth # 4 : Marijuana use is a leading cause of traffic accidents.

There is no major compelling evidence that marijuana use increases your risk of being in a motor vehicle accident. In high does it may alter your perception and driving ability. In driving studies marijuana produced little or no change to a drivers ability, less change then someone who had a couple drinks or even some prescription medications. Although alcohol leads to erratic and poor driving, marijuana users who drive have been shown to be more cautious and aware of the road. Most accidents where THC has been found in the blood alcohol was also present.

Myth # 5 : Marijuana causes crime.

The majority of marijuana users do not commit crimes other then the crime of possessing the marijuana itself. Of the users who do commit crimes it has little to do with the drug, marijuana has been shown to decrease, not increase aggression.

Myth # 6 : Marijuana causes brain damage.

There is no scientific evidence to back this up. A study done in the 70’s on monkeys is the most celebrated study to support this, and it has long since been discredited. None of the tests we use today to detect brain damage have shown any harm has been done even with long term use. In a recent study much like the one done in the 70’s 6 monkeys inhaled the equivalent of 4 – 5 joints a day for a year, and none showed any sign of brain abnormality. I will admit that marijuana use affects your short term memory but the effect only last as long as the drug itself.

There are many other myths about marijuana use, however i feel that these are the main ones. Whether you agree with me or not as long as there have been and will be human beings we will continue to smoke our weed. If it were to be legalized it would be a major step for our country. We would stop spending millions of dollars on the prohibition of a drug that is less harmful and less addictive then cigarettes or alcohol. But that’s another post for another day.