I am waiting for this to really explode in the media...Phelps smoked pot. OMG! Let the world freeze over because Phelps did exactly what every other college kid out there did...had some fun. And let's be honest, if you are a college kid not having fun, than why even bother.
Yes, Phelps is different than other college kids, he is a role model. But honestly, he could be doing a lot worse. He smoked some pot...he didn't pull a gun on anyone, rob anyone, beat up a little old lady, or even have a dog fighting ring. The guy wanted to cut loose, relax and get high.
Do you honestly want to know what marijuana is still illegal...the government can't figure out a way to tax it!! I would rather have marijuana legal than alcohol. It does less damage to your body than cigarettes. So tell me again, why this is such a HUGE deal?
This in no way should take away from the accomplishments that this man has done in the past two Olympics games. And if you really think it should, you need to look at your glass house long and hard before casting that stone.
Actually studies say different about the effects of smoking pot compared to smoking cigarettes.
ReplyDelete"Marijuana cigarettes contain four to five times as much of certain cancer-causing substances as tobacco cigarettes. Marijuana has more than 400 different chemicals, many of which are dangerous. It is a dangerous, addictive drug that acts like both a stimulant and a depressant. It makes the heart beat faster, lowers body temperature, increases hunger, slows down the ability to react, and interferes with the proper working of muscles. Marijuana is very harmful, poisoning the structures that trigger cells to grow and replace themselves. Marijuana smokers also seem more likely to get sick than are people who stay away from the drug, so it seems that the drug weakens the body's ability to fight germs. Users have personality problems that include loss of mental energy, lack of interest in everyday things, loss of concentration, and difficulty in recalling events and actions."
"As marijuana is inhaled and held in the lungs, repeated use can damage the lungs and heart. Marijuana users may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have, such as chronic bronchitis and inflamed sinuses. While all of the long-term effects of marijuana use are not yet known, there are studies showing serious health concerns. For example, a group of scientists in California examined the health status of 450 daily smokers of marijuana but not tobacco. They found that the marijuana smokers had more sick days and more doctor visits for respiratory problems and other types of illness than did a similar group who did not smoke either substance. As to long-term effects of marijuana use, findings so far show that the regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in cancer and problems in the respiratory, immune, and nervous systems "
This is all from the AMSA (American Medical Student Assosication.
From Vancouver Coastal Health:
"Smoke from burning marijuana pollutes the lungs and will deliver up to four times as much tar as tobacco cigarettes. And because users hold their toke longer before exhaling, the lungs are exposed to even higher levels of cancer-causing toxins. How’s that for an innocent little puff?"
"Many believe that because marijuana is a “natural” plant (name one that is not) and is grown “organically”, little harm can be associated with smoking it. Wrong! Although users may experience a euphoric high from the drug, there are severe consequences from smoking it."
"The damage from marijuana smoke is concentrated because of how the drug is used. Unlike regular cigarettes (don’t worry, we do not support their use either), the lack of filters on joints means nothing is held back from the lungs. Also, marijuana smokers typically inhale a larger amount of smoke, take it more deeply into the lungs, and then hold it for longer before exhaling. Thus, the lungs are exposed to even more toxins."
"Of course we know that some patients are prescribed medical marijuana. Patients are also encouraged to use the drug vaporized or to ingest it orally to minimize lung damage. Vaporizing heats the marijuana so that the active ingredients (cannabinoids) are released and inhaled by the user. This is different from smoking as nothing is being burned, a process which adds tar and carcinogens"
I am sure you didn't want to start a debate. And I do respect your opinion, there are many reason's outside of the government inability to tax the drug to why it isn't legal. Also, Mr Phelps chose the life he did, it was his choice to be a role modle just like professional athelets. He does need to think about who is watching because it was his choices that got him on the Olympic team. No one made him do that. When you chose to live in the spot light you need to think about choices you are wanting to make. I am very adiment about drug use and especially taking care of your body (lungs being super special.) And I am one of many people who have NEVER tried pot or anyother illegal drug. And I am extremely proud to be able to say that. I had more important things to do in my life than try them out.
That was just dumb! Whether or not people SHOULD look at him different now or not, doesn't matter. People are still going to! Myself included. I can though, as I have never done this (or any type of this) EVER in my life - and I am proud to admit it either. It did NOT make college any less interesting either!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice the bling on his watch though? I mean seriously!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's good he used a bong. I mean, smoking out of a bong is pretty clean.
ReplyDeletehe's not out there smoking blunts or anything. Be happy about that.
Also, I'm not sure where Cassie got her facts from up there but I seriously doubt weed is worse than cigs.
Here is what I found on wiki:
ReplyDeleteHow is marijuana worse than cigarettes?
In: Tobacco and Tobacco Products, Marijuana [Edit categories]
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It isn't worse than cigarettes. In fact, it is not nearly as bad.
The latest research on the effects of marijuana on lung cancer shows that marijuana smokers actually have lower rates of lung cancer than people do not smoke pot. It seems to provide a protective effect. This research was done by Dr. Donald Tashkin of UCLA, the leading expert on the topic.
Every major government commission report on marijuana in the last 100 years has concluded that marijuana is not a serious threat to either individual or public health. You can read the full text of these reports at Major Studies of Drugs and Drug Policy - http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/studies.htm
The largest study of the health effects was done by Kaiser Permanente. They surveyed the health records of 65,000 patients over a number of years. They found no significant differences between the health records of pot smokers and people who did not smoke pot. see http://www.druglibrary.org/crl/aging/sidney-01.html
The World Health Organization studied the comparison between alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana in health effects. They concluded that marijuana is safer than either alcohol or tobacco by a wide margin. See
A Comparative Appraisal of the Health and Psychological Consequences of Alcohol, Cannabis, Nicotine and Opiate Use - http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/general/who-index.htm
The number of deaths produced by tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana in the US in a typical year is as follows:
Tobacco - about 400,000
Alcohol - about 100,000
Acetimenophen (Tylenol) - about 2,000
Marijuana -- no recorded deaths in history.
See How many people are killed by drugs?
http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/basicfax3.htm
answer
its got like 40% 33% more tar in it and makes it 3x more less likely for you to get namonya (not even sure illness this person is trying to spell here) respiratory diseases because it clears out the lungs and respiratory system with it's unique smoke. or how ever you spell it. see? and it makes you dumb haha creates new pathways in your brain causing abstract thinking to be improved and new thoughts to be formed actually increasing your brain capacity.
Studies even show that due to marijuana's ability to clear the lungs of smog, pollutants, and cigarette smoke, it may actually reduce your risk of emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Smokers of cannabis have been shown to outlive non-smokers in some areas by up to two years. Medium to heavy tobacco smokers will live seven to ten years longer if they also smoke marijuana.
I guess it is all about who you ask.