From: [f--ea--o] at [suburbia.apana.org.au] (Freako De Sane)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: Tobbaco and Weed.
Date: 27 Jun 94 07:01:25 GMT

[M--k] at [empyrion.demon.co.uk] (Mark) writes:

>I always tend to use very low tar cigarettes to roll up with, as the 
>tobacco is more managable and doesn't give you an evil headrush like
>rolling tobacco does.

Though it may not be anymore healthy. I've just finished writing an article 
for a local university journal "Mary Jane" on the topic of mixing cannabis 
and tobacco. I think it might be interesting to interject it here...

Thanks to Brian S. Julin for his article on radioactive tobacoo that 
provided the initial inspiration and research for mine...

---

MIXING WITH DEATH
Marijuana. Millions worldwide use it every day with little 
danger of detrimental effects. However, due to the high prices of marijuana 
on the black market, many people mix their mull to make it last longer. The 
most popular mix is tobacco, and here lies the danger.

If you were to take the current health "facts" at face value this may not seem
such a terrible problem. The tar content of marijuana has been shown to be one
and a half times that of tobacco. And insoluble tars are commonly known to be 
the cancer causing agents in smoke. So cannabis is actually more hazardous to 
your health than tobacco, isn't it?

There are several points to consider relating to the health "facts" promoted by
the tobacco companies and, recently, the AMA:

* The studies into tar content have been based on the leaf 
of the plant. Most smokers prefer the buds, as they are more potent and less 
harsh than the leaves. Buds contain only 33% as much tar as tobacco.

* Tobacco smokers smoke considerably more than marijuana smokers. This can be 
accounted for by the addictive properties of tobacco, and the psychoactive 
effects of cannabis.

* Marijuana has been shown to be a bronchio-dilator. It dilates the air
passageways in the lungs allowing for the easier clearing of any pollutants.
Tobacco constricts these passageways, causing further complications.

These points still do not explain the absence of lung cancer in marijuana 
users. Cannabis does contain insoluble tars, and if they were the sole cause of
cancer there would be at least a few users with cancer.

Research begun in the mid-60s shows that radiation may be the missing link in 
this mystery.

The phosphates used to fertilize tobacco crops are rich in radium 226. 
Radium 226 breaks down into lead 210 and polonium 210, which then attach 
themselves to the fine hairs on tobacco leaves (trichomes). The elements are 
concentrated on the trichomes, and persist when tobacco is dried and processed.
When the tobacco is smoked it produces insoluble radioactive particles, 
deposited in the lower lungs.

A person smoking 1 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day absorbs a radioactive dose 
equivalent to 300 x-ray films of the chest per year. This dose is not affected
by the use of low nicotine cigarettes. In fact, the use of higher porosity 
paper and perforated filters enhances the combustion.

Add to this the collection of additional ingredients found in tobacco and you 
have a very unhealthy mix indeed.

So what can you do to avoid the perils of the radioactive cancer death stick? 
Stop mixing your favourite herb with a known killer. This means finding an 
alternative mixer, as smoking the bud alone can cause considerable monetary 
pain.

The only mix that does not affect the sweet subtle flavours of the cannabis 
smoke considerably are the leaves of the plant. Unfortunately leaf is not 
profitable on the black market and thus can be hard to obtain.

The next best mix is mint. It has been used traditionally as a relaxant for 
insomnia and nervous disorders for centuries. If reasonably fresh, home-grown 
or purchased from a health food store, it has a pleasant taste and aroma. For 
those that prefer a sweeter taste another member of the mint family, 
peppermint, would be the best choice. Peppermint also causes the smoke to smell
somewhat like toothpaste - an advantage in situations where a toothpaste
fetish would be more acceptable than partaking of the weed.

Marijuana is one of the safest drugs in the world. Why risk mixing with death?

Damian Caynes 
--
    ___   Freako -:- [f--ea--o] at [suburbia.apana.org.au] -:- Damian Caynes   ___ 
   (___)                                                             (___)
     {   A very merry mushie season to one 'n' all, ho ho ho woohoo!   }