Wed, 10/10/2007 - 19:19 — dreagen
Most people use products that are more damaging to the body with
out any thought to what they are doing to the body just because they
were raised to think it is safe. Although heavy use of marijuana is
not safe it is a lot safer than most of the common used drugs in
today's market. This is article is a comparison of the effects of two
popular pain killers, Marijuana and Aspirin.
Lets start with the history of Marijuana first. Marijuana can be
traced back for thousands of years to almost every culture in the
worlds history. Up until the Marijuana was prohibited by the
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 the US Pharmacopoeia listed cannabis as the
drug of choice for over 100 different diseases. This reference was
the reference used by doctors since 1820. Cannabis was added to the
US Pharmacopoeia in 1870. Since recorded history Marijuana has never
been found to cause death by overdose.
The History of Aspirin is not so long and distinguished. Aspirin
patented on March 6, 1889 by Bayer who also had the trademark for
Heroin. Aspirin causes an average of 500 deaths per year. This is
from a Medication that is used for pain and heart disease.
Now that we understand the history of the two pain medications
lets look at the legality of both. While Marijuana does have side
effects and is know to assist in over 100 diseases without causing any
deaths it has been prohibited by the US Federal Government since 1937.
Marijuana side effects include problems with memory and learning;
distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch); difficulty in
thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased
heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. THESE SIDE EFFECT DO NOT LAST
WHEN AFTER MARIJUANA WEARS OFF. There have been research results that
indicate that Marijuana can cause respiratory irritations among heavy
marijuana users if smoked. This can be easily solved by switching to
vaporized marijuana or taking marijuana orally. Marijuana has not
been linked in any research to lung cancer.
While marijuana is prohibited in the US, with minor side effects
and multiple benefits to the drug, any age child can go to a store and
purchase aspirin over the counter. The effects of aspirin can be very
dangerous. Heartburn; nausea; upset stomach; rash; hives; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips,
or tongue; black or bloody stools; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness;
drowsiness; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent
stomach pain; unusual bruising; vomiting; Reye syndrome.
In the book, 'The Science of Marijuana' by Dr. Leslie Iversen of
the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology said
"Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug," she said. "Even such
apparently innocuous medicines as aspirin and related steroidal
anti-inflammatory compounds are not safe." So if safety is your
concern, cannabis is clearly a much better choice than aspirin. If you
eat it or vaporize it, it just might be the safest painkiller the
world has ever known.
