take thechance of having abnormal offspring or developing forms of cancer. It does seem likely that if a personsmoked pot as heavily and for as many years as the usual tobacco smoker he would run the same risk for cancerand would perhaps get it sooner. Other scientists point to the fact that chromosome studies look at thechromosomes in blood cells, not those in the reproductive system, and no-one has ever tied actual genetic ornewborn abnormalities to ordinary marijuana use. Although damage to unborn animals from high doses ofTHC in the pregnant mother have been noted, no such effect has been seen in humans. In any case, thesespeculations do not apply to light, recreational use of marijuana. Research has demonstrated the human body develops a tolerance to marijuana. This tolerance has shownno sign of being related to addiction as seen with other drugs. Marijuana use any of the other signs of physicaldependence, such as withdrawal symptoms when the habitual user tries to quit. Psychological and emotionaldoes however occur. An old argument against marijuana is that it leads to other drug use. No one has beenable to demonstrate a chemical or psychological connection between cannabis and other drugs. Theconnection if any is a social one, possibly one of personality. A person inclined to drug use may start withmarijuana and go on to other drugs-not because of the pot, but because of a personality need. The samequestionable connection exists between marijuana and crime. Marijuana is not “safe”. No drug is completely safe, not aspirin and certainly not alcohol. But a fairconclusion seems to be that light, recreational use of marijuana by adults as generally practiced in this countryhas...
