Potential Dangers of Cannabis

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Abstract
Cannabis is not a harmless drug. The potential dangers of cannabis are briefly reviewed. Observations on cannabis users should be kept in mind and carefully examined by all physicians. One could expect that as more potent cannabis preparations become available, some of the toxic manifestations which now seem rare might become more frequent. Some of the dangers of cannabis are discussed. Prior to the elimination of these fears and anxieties no steps should be taken toward the legalizing of marihuana. There is no scientific evidence that cannabis is less harmful than either tobacco or alcohol. The opposite may be true. The analogy can be drawn between opium and cannabis. The permissive attude toward the use of opium can easily lead to the use of morphine and other opiates. If marihuana use is legalized the use of more dangerous derivatives of cannabis (hashish, cannabis oil and tetrahydrocannabinol) cannot be prevented. In the light of the present knowledge, legalizing marhuana could be hazardous for the individual and for society.

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