The Common Sense Series
               a publication of the National Organization
                      for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

                              on the matter of

          M A R I J U A N A   A N D   T H E   H U M A N   B O D Y

    The moderate use of marijuana is neither harmless nor devastating to
the user.  Unfortunately, the politics of marijuana has distorted research
findings and made it difficult to find out the truth about marijuana's effect
on human health.  NORML believes that honest, verifiable information is the
most effective tool to prevent the abuse of marijuana.  This text examines
the effects of marijuana on the human body, as described by a comprehensive
report prepared for the Federal government by the most respected scientific
body in teh United States, the National Academy of Sciences.  This text first
examines some of the exaggerated claims made about marijuana and then provides
the truth about marijuana's effects on human health.

                  EXAGGERATED CLAIMS ABOUT MARIJUANA

    Despite evidence to the contrary, many individuals and organizations
maintain that marijuana is an extremely dangerous drug.  For example, the
National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth attempts to reach its
societal and legislative goals by making the following claims:

    1. Marijuana is a harmful substance because it has 421 chemicals.
    2. Marijuana is stronger than it was 10 years ago, and this new, potent
       marijuana presents dangers unrecognized years ago.
    3. Marijuana is far worse for the lungs than tobacco.
    4. Marijuana causes damage to the reproductive system.
    5. The psychoactive chemicals in marijuana are fat soluble and stay in
       the human body for a month, increasing the danger of exposure.
    6. Marijuana causes brain damage and a behavioral disorder known as
       amotivational syndrome.
    7. Any use of marijuana is abuse, and marijuana has no medical value
       whatsoever.

    The National Federation of Parents supports prohibition of marijuana
because it believes that marijuana is so dangerous that no one can use it
safely.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which supports
the NFP, many parents welcomed discovery of reports suggesting marijuana's
harmfulness because the claims reinforced their own instincts about marijuana.

   In fact, the reports used to justify the above claims have been found to
be inconclusive by other researchers.  Hence, warnings intended to dramatize
the supposed ill-effects of marijuana are often couched with phrases like
"marijuana can...".  "Marijuana may...",  or "If the experts are right...".

                         THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA

    The Institute of Medicine of the NAtional Academy of Sciences conducted
a 15-month study of the health-related effects of marijuana in 1982.  They
appointed a 22-member committee to analyze existing scientific evidence
bearing on the possible hazards to the health and safety of users of marijuana.
    The report concludes: "the scientific evidence published to date indicates
that marijuana has a broad range of psychological and biological effects, some
of which, at least under certain circumstances, are harmful to human health".
In a companion report providing policy recommendations to the Academy's
National Research Council, regulation of the marijuana market is advocated as
the most effective method of controlling marijuana.  The National Academy of
Science's report rebuts many of the exaggerated claims made about marijuana.

    1. Of the 421 chemicals in marijuana, only 61 are unique to marijuana.
       The chemicals are known as cannabinoids.  One of them, delta-9 THC,
       produces the psychoactive effect and is the focus of most research.
       The other 360 chemicals in the marijuana plant are found throughout
       other natural substances.
    2. The higher potency marijuana grown in the United States represents
       about half of all the marijuana consumed here.  Because of it's higher
       potency many smokers use far less of it than less potent marijuana.
    3. Differences in dosage and frequency of consumption render comparisons
       between marijuana and tobacco consumption invalid, despite similarity
       in the composition of their smoke.
       Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs.  Heavy exposure of the lungs to
       irritation such as smoke increases the likelihood of lung cancer and
       other lung problems.  Marijuana speeds the heartbeat and is unhealthy
       for people with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular ailments.
    4. Marijuana does reduce the sperm count and obstruct sperm mobility in
       males within the normal range.  These side-effects do not seem to affect
       human fertility, and are completely reversible thirty days after
       cessation of use.
       Marijuana, like other drugs, crosses the placenta.  While the effects
       of this are unknown and there is no evidence that marijuana causes
       chromosome damage, we advise women to avoid the use of marijuana,
       tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs not prescribed by their physician
       during pregnancy and nursing.
    5. The intoxicating chemical, THC, is broken down by the human metabolism
       after two or three hours in the body.  The by-products of this chemical
       breakdown are referred to as metabolites.  These metabolites are fat
       soluble, and take 21-30 days to leave the human body via the urine.
       These metabolites exert no psychoactive effect on the human body.
    6. After reviewing all of the evidence, the Academy concluded: "There is
       not yet any conclusive evidence as to whether prolonged use of marijuana
       causes permanent changes in the nervous system or sustained impairment
       of brain function and behavior in human beings".
       "Interpretation of the evidence linking marijuana to 'amotivational
       syndrome' is difficult.  Such symptoms have been known to occur in the
       absence of marijuana.  Even if there is an association between this
       syndrome and the use of marijuana, that does not prove that marijuana
       causes the syndrome.  Many troubled individuals seek an 'escape' into
       use of drugs: thus frequent use of marijuana may become one more in a
       series of conterproductive behaviors for these unhappy people".
    7. "Cannabis and it's derivatives have shown promise in the treatment of
       a variety of disorders.  The evidence is most impressive in glaucoma,
       where their mechanism of action appears to be different from standard
       drugs:  in asthma.... and in the nausea and vomiting of cancer
       chemotherapy... Similar trials have suggested cannabis might also be
       used in seizures, spasticity, and other nervous system disorders".

                           N O R M L ' s   V I E W

    1. NORML favors discouraging marijuana abuse and is opposed to adolescent
       drug use.
    2. Exaggerated claims about health hazards lack credibility and encourage
       adolescents to try marijuana and other drugs.  Government research
       which relies on animal studies and studies of adolescent drug abusers
       presents a skewed perspective of marijuana's effects.
    3. The illegality of marijuana, because it equates use with abuse,
       discourages frank discussion of marijuana's effects on health within
       the family and with doctors and nurses.
    4. Over 35 million adult Americans use marijuana regularly because they
       find it a relatively safe way to relax.  A regulated marijuana market
       would better protect their health than the unregulated black market.

                    W H A T   D O   Y O U   T H I N K ?

    For further information:
    NORML
    8749 Holloway Dr.
    Los Angeles, CA
    213-652-8654