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* Studies show that approximately 6 to 11 percent
of fatal accident victims test positive for THC.
In many of these cases, alcohol is detected as
well. In a study conducted by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, a moderate dose
of marijuana alone was shown to impair driving
performance; however, the effects of even a low
dose of marijuana combined with alcohol were markedly
greater than for either drug alone. Driving indices
measured included reaction time, visual search
frequency (driver checking side streets), and
the ability to perceive and/or respond to changes
in the relative velocity of other vehicles.
* Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs may
also be promoted by marijuana smoke. A study comparing
173 cancer patients and 176 healthy individuals
produced strong evidence that smoking marijuana
increases the likelihood of developing cancer
of the head or neck, and that the more marijuana
smoked, the greater the increase. A statistical
analysis of the data suggested that marijuana
smoking doubled or tripled the risk of these cancers.
* Marijuana has the potential to promote cancer
of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory
tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens.42
In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 percent to
70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than
does tobacco smoke.43 It also produces high levels
of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons
into their carcinogenic form, levels that may
accelerate the changes that ultimately produce
malignant cells.44 Marijuana users usually inhale
more deeply and hold their breath longer than
tobacco smokers do, which increases the lungs'
exposure to carcinogenic smoke. These facts suggest
that, puff for puff, smoking marijuana may increase
the risk of cancer more than smoking tobacco does.
Source: NIDA Research
Report: Marijuana Abuse (link below)
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