I know that all the cannabis activists would like you to believe differently but

I smoke weed. When I do so, I am making a trade. The negative effects it has on my body for the desired effect it has on my brain. I believe the American War on Drugs is a misguided Reagan-era monster. Our excessive drug laws have turned our prison industry into anther monster.

However. With all the feel-good talk about cannabis these days, people have to remember that it is still bad for their bodies. Think cigarettes. Same type of thing. I feel bad when I see people start smoking weed and feel that it is perfectly harmless because of cannabis activism. Know your drugs before you take them.

I agree, listen to your own experience, not what people tell you. But you should also look for what people don't tell you. Look who your sources are, and get to know both sides of the debate.

Smoking too much weed will probably make your life become a series of difficult situations that you don't fully understand and an endless series of performance anxieties. In fact, you will probably not leave your house. Drinking too much beer will make you fat, helpless and obnoxious. Too much work and you will become detatched, uncaring and lonely. Too much rugby and you will start eating your dead. Keep it all in perspective and you'll be OK.

According to the Relman Report (the only FDA-sanctioned study done on marijuana effects), the tar content of pot is vastly higher than that of tobacco: they estimated 3 joints to be equivalent to 100 unfiltered cigarettes in this regard.

The lung-damage caused by the smoking of all that tar is the only negative effect ever scientifically-attributed to pot consumption. There have never been any demonstrated long-term negative effects through baked goods or steam inhalation through the use of a vaporiser.

That having been said, the short-term effects on memory and association are not inconsiderable. Both my personal interest in psychology and my professional involvement in computer science have pretty much forced me to forgo this otherwise delightful habit. (Students of law and medicine are strongly urged to do the same!)