This may be helpful

[phytokind]

I just wrote this up, thought maybe someone could use it to their benefit. The references use some research papers that have free full text access.

Scientific Evidence for the Safety and Classification of Marijuana

The United States Drug Scheduling list states that Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is a Schedule I drug, and therefore implies that it is potentially more harmful than Cocaine (including Crack), Opium, Oxycodone, Morphine, Lysergenic Acid, Dronobinol (Marinol, synthetic THC), and a multitude of other substances (1). THC is the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. The other components of cannabis, such as CBN and CBD are present in smaller quantities and are not believed to make a significant contribution to the total effect of marijuana on behavior or perception (2). Cannabis smoke has not been causally linked with cancers such as lung, colon or rectal cancers. Compounds found in cannabis have been shown to kill numerous cancer types including: lung cancer, breast and prostate, leukemia and lymphoma, glioma, skin cancer, and pheochromocytoma. Low doses of THC may stimulate the growth of lung cancer cells in vitro (3). Synthetic THC is a Schedule III substance (1). Acute toxicity studies show that it is virtually impossible to die from acute administration of marijuana or THC (4). This evidence indicates that Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) is improperly classified as a Schedule I substance.

References:

1. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html

2. McGilveray IJ. Pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids. Pain Res Manage 2005;10(Suppl A):15A-22A.

3. Melamede R. Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic. Harm Reduct J 2005;2:21.

4. Beaulieu P. Toxic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Animal data. Pain Res Manage 2005;10(Suppl A):23A-26A.

[phytokind]

Just updated the document with some lethal dose information for THC compared to Tylenol, really helps the argument.

Scientific Evidence for the Safety and Classification of Marijuana

The United States Drug Scheduling list states that Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is a Schedule I drug, and therefore implies that it is potentially more harmful than Cocaine (including Crack), Opium, Oxycodone, Morphine, Lysergenic Acid, Dronobinol (Marinol, synthetic THC), and a multitude of other substances (1). THC is the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. The other components of cannabis, such as CBN and CBD are present in smaller quantities and are not believed to make a significant contribution to the total effect of marijuana on behavior or perception (2). Cannabis smoke has not been causally linked with cancers such as lung, colon or rectal cancers. Compounds found in cannabis have been shown to kill numerous cancer types including: lung cancer, breast and prostate, leukemia and lymphoma, glioma, skin cancer, and pheochromocytoma. Low doses of THC may stimulate the growth of lung cancer cells in vitro (3). Synthetic THC is a Schedule III substance (1). Acute toxicity studies show that it is virtually impossible to die from acute administration of marijuana or THC. For example, one study found no deaths in monkeys with oral administration of up to 9 grams per kilogram of body weight. Extrapolated to humans, a 150 pound person could consume 21 ounces or 1.35 pounds of pure THC before reaching a lethal dose (4). This contrasts with the lethal oral dose of Tylenol, which is stated to be 15 grams, or just one half ounce. This evidence indicates that Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) is improperly classified as a Schedule I substance.

References:

1. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html

2. McGilveray IJ. Pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids. Pain Res Manage 2005;10(Suppl A):15A-22A.

3. Melamede R. Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic. Harm Reduct J 2005;2:21.

4. Beaulieu P. Toxic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Animal data. Pain Res Manage 2005;10(Suppl A):23A-26A.

[Captain Hanks]

I've known all this and kind it quite ridiculous. Anyone who's done a little research would see it the same way.