Mary jane’s impeccable record when it comes to having negative effects on the human body has been put to the test. Two recent studies done by researchers from the University of Auckland claim that smoking marijuana increases the risk of stroke among young adults compared to those who did not. Here is an excerpt from the paper:
“The stroke study, which incorporated preliminary data, is the first trial of its kind to study a possible connection between marijuana use and stroke. It included 160 patients aged 18 to 55 who had suffered a stroke connected to a blood clot in the brain, and who agreed to have their urine tested for marijuana within 72 hours of the stroke. These results were compared to those from 160 controls who had not had a stroke but came to the hospital for other reasons. They were matched on age, gender and ethnic background, all of which can also affect the risk for this type of stroke. About 16% of the stroke patients showed traces of marijuana in their urine, compared to 8% of those in the control group, suggesting a doubling of the risk of stroke.” -Time
Now I question the credibility of this argument for three reasons:
First, strokes aren’t caused by a single thing but a plethora of factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excessive drinking, and depression.
Secondly, Marijuana has been proved (anecdotal evidence) to lower blood pressure and relieve stress.
And lastly, Cannabis compounds were shown to raise metabolism in rats, leading to lower levels of fat in the liver and lower cholesterol.
Here is a excerpt from a study done in 1998.
“THC, the principal psychoactive constituent of the cannabis plant, has an extremely low toxicity. A 1998 study published in The Lancet reports: “There are no confirmed published cases worldwide of human deaths from cannabis poisoning, and the dose of THC required to produce 50% mortality in rodents is extremely high compared with other commonly used drugs”.
Now I admit, marijuana may have indirect effects on high cholesterol due to the appetite-increasing effects of the cannabis plant, however it still remains an indirect correlation and not a direct cause. It’s like saying the pregnancy rate in the U.S. is increased when alcohol consumption is a factor. Sure the two can be related but the direct ‘coup de grace’ required is missing. Both the physical and mental aspect must be in sync to express a true cause and effect nature.
I am in no way promoting or encouraging the use of marijuana. I am only exercising my rights to question research when it is necessary.
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