There are so many overstatements on this commentary that it is sad. I understand why people who do not drink say that marijuana is evil. You are against putting anything in your body that hurts it. I respect that stance.

I do not understand why it is socially acceptable to get drunk off your can, but it is just terrible to get bombed from a bong. The reason why drug use has risen so quickly is because kids - and I put most college students in that catagory - move from grass to other stronger, harsher drugs. Why? Because you buy weed from a shady dealer rather than a bartender or liquor store clerk. He moves you up the chain of illegal use and can taint any drug you buy. But, wait a minute, what is the difference from sipping beers at a party in high school to doing shots at the frat house or sipping at wine taster with your co-workers?

Both grass and alcohol are not good for you. How can you not see the parallel between a huge pot bust and 22 DUIs rang up last weekend? To say one is better the other is ludicrous. There are some differences between getting drunk and stoned, but the end result is the same: you spent some of your money in search of a buzz.

Practicality, if you do just about anything to access it can be harmful, including exercise. Why talk about long term and chronic use? Not every person who has a drink is an alcohoc. Same with pot. The vast majority don't over indulge. This is why so many have tried it or smoked with some regularity when they were in college (or around that age) but stop when they get older. Most of us are probably just too darn busy.

Pot isn't meth. That is the real danger in our society today. Meth really ruins lives. Pot just makes people relax, but it isn't addictive in the traditional sense. (And no, I don't smoke it myself.)

Health Consequences of Marijuana Abuse Acute (present during intoxication) Impairs short-term memory Impairs attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions Impairs coordination and balance Increases heart rate Persistent (lasting longer than intoxication, but may not be permanent) Impairs memory and learning skills Long-term (cumulative, potentially permanent effects of chronic abuse) Can lead to addiction Increases risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema Increases risk of cancer of the head, neck, and lungs

The Science of Medical Marijuana THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, produces effects that potentially can be useful for treating a variety of medical conditions. It is the main ingredient in an oral medication that is currently used to treat nausea in cancer chemotherapy patients and to stimulate appetite in patients with wasting due to AIDS. Scientists are continuing to investigate other potential medical uses for cannabinoids.74

Research is underway to examine the effects of smoked marijuana and extracts of marijuana on appetite stimulation, certain types of pain, and spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. However, the inconsistency of THC dosage in different marijuana samples poses a major hindrance to valid trials and to the safe and effective use of the drug. Moreover, the adverse effects of marijuana smoke on the respiratory system 4, 5, 6 will offset the helpfulness of smoked marijuana for some patients. Finally, little is known about the many chemicals besides THC that are in marijuana, or their possible deleterious impact on patients with medical conditions.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana3.html#acute

Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction for some people; that is, they use the drug compulsively even though it often interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities. According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 21.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse (9.1 percent of the total population). Of the estimated 6.9 million Americans classified with dependence on or abuse of illicit drugs, 4.2 million were dependent on or abused marijuana.57 In 2002, 15 percent of people entering drug abuse treatment programs reported that marijuana was their primary drug of abuse.58

Along with craving, withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop using the drug.49 People trying to quit report irritability, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety.59,60 They also display increased aggression on psychological tests, peaking approximately 1 week after they last used the drug.61

In addition to its addictive liability, research indicates that early exposure to marijuana can increase the likelihood of a lifetime of subsequent drug problems. A recent study of over 300 fraternal and identical twin pairs, who differed on whether or not they used marijuana before the age of 17, found that those who had used marijuana early had elevated rates of other drug use and drug problems later on, compared with their twins, who did not use marijuana before age 17. This study re-emphasizes the importance of primary prevention by showing that early drug initiation is associated with increased risk of later drug problems, and it provides more evidence for why preventing marijuana experimentation during adolescence could have an impact on preventing addiction.62

http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana4.html#addictive

The Body's Natural THC-Like Chemicals

THC owes many of its effects to its similarity to a family of chemicals called the endogenous cannabinoids, which are natural Cannabis-like chemicals. Because a THC molecule is shaped like these endogenous cannabinoids, it interacts with the same receptors on nerve cells, the cannabinoid receptors, that endogenous cannabinoids do, and it influences many of the same processes. Research has shown that the endogenous cannabinoids help control a wide array of mental and physical processes in the brain and throughout the body, including memory and perception, fine motor coordination, pain sensations,70 immunity to disease, and reproduction.71

When someone smokes marijuana, THC overstimulates the cannabinoid receptors, leading to a disruption of the endogenous cannabinoids' normal function. This overstimulation produces the intoxication experienced by marijuana smokers. Over time, it may alter the function of cannabinoid receptors, which, along with other changes in the brain, can lead to withdrawal symptoms and addiction.60,72,73

http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana4.html#addictive

From the Director In the 1970s, the baby boom generation was coming of age, and its drug of choice was marijuana. By 1979, more than 60 percent of 12th-graders had tried marijuana at least once in their lives. From this peak, the percentage of 12th-graders who had ever used marijuana decreased for more than a decade, dropping to a low of 33 percent in 1992. However, in 1993, first-time marijuana use by 12th-graders was on the upswing, reaching 50 percent by 1997. Although the percentage of 12th-graders who have experience with marijuana has remained roughly level since then, there is still reason to be concerned.1 In 2002, an estimated 2.6 million Americans used marijuana for the first time. Roughly two-thirds of them were under age 18.2 Furthermore, the marijuana that is available today can be 5 times more potent than the marijuana of the 1970s.3

The use of marijuana can produce adverse physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral changes, and - contrary to popular belief - it can be addictive. Marijuana smoke, like cigarette smoke, can harm the lungs.4,5,6 The use of marijuana can impair short-term memory,7,8 verbal skills,9 and judgment10 and distort perception.11,12 It also may weaken the immune system13,14,15,16 and possibly increase a user's likelihood of developing cancer.14,17 Finally, the increasing use of marijuana by very young teens may have a profoundly negative effect upon their development.9, 18, 19,20

We hope that this research report will help make readers aware of our current knowledge of marijuana abuse and its harmful effects.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D. Director National Institute on Drug Abuse

http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/default.html

Printed 2005

So, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) whose sole purpose is the understanding and treatment of Drug Abuse is discredited because YOU want to believe their information is biased???? Is that your lame argument. Maybe you should look around on their site some, you will be surprised at what you will see. They are not an advocacy organization, it is a scientific and medical orgainization. They do not trouble themselves with legal or moral concerns.

About NIDA

Mission NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.

This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention, treatment and policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.

"Practicality (anonymous) replies… http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/mariju..."

Of course this is all negative, it's their job. These people get paid from TAX dollars to conduct "research" into the "harmful" effects of substances. Do you think they would get paid or research funding if they came back and reported that it's no big deal?

Everything in excess is bad for you, people can die from drinking too much water.

Regulating morality is just more government for the nanny statists. Weak.

830 pounds = street value of $109,000,000,000,000,000.12

How would Geary county deputies stop someone heading west out of Salina?

great comment by "playhard" in the KC Star's comment section for this article ...

"No way 830 pounds of pot gets past Lawrence and the Jayhawks basketball team."

In general, people who go out and wind up fighting, breaking stuff, and hurting people have been drinking alcohol. Alcohol is legal.

In general, people who smoke weed stay home, laugh a lot, and order pizzas. Weed is illegal.

It just doesn't make sense.

Lets not forget that this is the time of year for DUI's. And don't forget about the 250k people that die each year from alcohol.

And the X number of people that die from Marijuana....oh wait that's 0.