Magic Statistics

A team of Health Canada scientists has shown that smoke from marijuana contains higher levels of toxins than does tobacco smoke. 

The scientists found that ammonia levels were 20 times higher in the marijuana smoke than in the tobacco smoke, while hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and certain aromatic amines occurred at levels 3-5 times higher in the marijuana smoke, they say. The finding is "important information for public health and communication of the risk related to exposure to such materials," say the researchers.

Dr Richard Russell of the Windsor Chest Clinic adds:

"The health impact of cannabis is often over-looked amid the legal debate.

"Evidence shows it is multiplied when it is cannabis compared to tobacco.

"Tobacco from manufacturers has been enhanced and cleaned whereas cannabis is relatively unprocessed and therefore is a much dirtier product.

"These findings do not surprise me. The toxins from cannabis smoke cause lung inflammation, lung damage and cancer."

Previous studies have demonstrated that, compared to tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke results in more harm to lungs because it is inhaled more deeply and held in the lungs longer.  A study earlier this year found that smoking a single joint can cause as much lung damage as five chain-smoked cigarettes.

Previous related posts:

• Dramatic increase in mental illness among cannabis users
• Marijuana triggers schizophrenic and psychotic episodes
• Think marijuana’s not addictive? Think again

A new study of data from the 1991-2004 US General Social Surveys finds that church attendance and biblical belief are linked with lower levels of marital unfaithfulness.  As well, religious believers exhibit interesting variations across denominations.

"What matters the most is being involved in a religious organization," says Amy Burdette, co-author of the study and a post-doctoral scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Those who attend church more are less likely to cheat, and those who have more conservative views of the Bible are less likely to cheat."

That said, Baptists are one-third less likely to wander than those with no religious affiliation, researchers found, and Catholics display similar odds. Moderate Protestants such as Presbyterians and Lutherans have 37 per cent lower odds of cheating than the unaffiliated, while liberal Protestants such as those in the United and Anglican churches are 31 per cent more faithful.

Non-traditional conservative groups such as Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses display no less likelihood of cheating than people with no religious affiliation.

The study was published in the December issue of the Journal of Family Issues.  Those who do not subscribe to the journal can buy it via this page for US$15.  An abstract is posted here.

h/t: Alice the Camel

The Canadian Islamic Congress’s campaign to inhibit expression of unpopular opinion is attracting more unfavourable media coverage, both in Canada and abroad.  Editorialist Rebecca Walberg writes in the Calgary Herald, “Shut down the human rights commissions”, while the formidable Robert Spencer chimes in with “Stand By Steyn”.

See also Hilary White at LifeSite: “Mark Steyn Case Wakes Up Canadian Press to Human Rights Tribunals' Threat to Free Speech”.

As a defender of free speech and a long-time reader of Mark Steyn, I post this badge of support.
Badges can be downloaded at The Conservative Hipsters.

Last weekend, I sent e-mails to my MP Larry Bagnell (Lib-Yukon) and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the latter copied to Secretary of State for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney.  Here’s what I wrote:

Subject: Stop the Canadian Islamic Congress's attack on freedom

The Canadian Islamic Congress’s use of federal and provincial Human Rights Commissions to bring thought-crime charges against Mark Steyn and Maclean’s Magazine is unconscionable and repugnant to a free people.

As a Canadian taxpayer, I find it especially galling that my money is being used to finance an attack on our freedoms of speech and the press.

Cabinet minister The Hon Jason Kenney has it exactly right: The action by the Canadian Islamic Congress seeks to undermine our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I urge you to help bring this travesty to a halt and ensure that our federal and provincial/territorial Human Rights Commissions are never again abused in this way.

Today my MP responded with a brief note saying this was the first he’d heard of this incident, and that he’d look into it and get back to me.  I hope that he takes a long hard look indeed.

h/t: Kathy Shaidle