05/08/2007 00:00:00
Letter: Vaporizer takes danger out of marijuana use
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Thanks for the recent story "1 joint equals up to 5 cigarettes." It's
interesting to note that smoking marijuana does not increase emphysema,
but does increase respiratory symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
Fortunately, these symptoms can be sidestepped with the vaporizer, a new
gizmo that heats cannabis until active components are released in a fine
mist. The cannabis never ignites. No fire means no gaseous toxins or
noxious tars.
Dr. Donald Abrams at San Francisco General Hospital recently published
research showing that vaporizer users are not exposed to toxic gases.
Data from my laboratory in Albany revealed that users who vaporize are
significantly less likely to report respiratory symptoms of any kind.
As the call for legal access to medical marijuana becomes louder and
louder in New York, it's nice to know that this medicine can be
available to the sickest of the sick without endangering their lungs.
MITCH EARLEYWINE, Ph.D. Associate Professor Psychology
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=611641&category=OPINION&newsdate=8/5/2007
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12765
Author:
Albany Times Union via UKCIA
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