CNN: Marijuana-Psychosis Link Scientists Have Links to Drug Companies And Predisposition Against It. Study Results Released Just In Time For UK Review of Drugs

Down at the bottom of the CNN report ("Marijuana may increase psychosis risk, analysis says ") on the Lancet published study that claims that frequent marijuana use may cause psychosis we find:

Two of the authors of the study were invited experts on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Cannabis Review in 2005. Several authors reported being paid to attend drug company-sponsored meetings related to marijuana, and one received consulting fees from companies that make antipsychotic medications.

Thank goodness that the drug companies have those scientists on staff.  As seems quite possible a scientist could make quite different conclusions from the study.  

CNN's nay sayer offers weak protest:

Dr. Wilson Compton, a senior scientist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Washington, called the study persuasive.

but

Scientists cannot rule out that pre-existing conditions could have led to both marijuana use and later psychoses, he added.

Actually, the Lancet report does offer to rule out pre-existing conditions but don't let that stop mainstream news from burying any protests against cooked science deeply under a mountain of neocon BS.

Also, note the politically convenient timing of the report:

In the U.K., the government will soon reconsider how marijuana should be classified in its hierarchy of drugs. In 2004, it was downgraded and penalties for possession were reduced. Many expect marijuana will be bumped up to a class "B" category, with offenses likely to lead to arrests or longer jail sentences.

It has been shown that the War on Drugs has increased terrorism (especially in poor third world countries).

It is still possible that marijuana is being used by psychotic people like medical marijuana is, as an actual palliative.

This could be what the drug companies fear, a natural, growable, alternative to their expensive drugs.

Business interests fear the rebellion against modern style work that can grow up around marijuana use.

And right wingers know that rage against what those "evil pot smokers" do is a great way to increase the vote count.

The news media know which side their bread is buttered from.  Marijuana users don't buy much advertising space, do they?

Full disclosure:  I think I can count the number of times I used marijuana using both hands or maybe I would have to use my toes as well.  The use was in the earliest seventies.  I don't drink either, though if I watched TV much, I suppose I would have to use something to dull the boredom, and full mind and body rejection of the crap they put out. That goes double for watching the Sunday morning talk shows (SMTS).  This does not mean I don't respect and rely on those who do watch the SMTS.  In fact I admire their intestinal fortitude.  I check forums and other bloggers for the great easter eggs that are discovered in those programs.

tags: marijuana  mental illness  psychosis  schizophrenia  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit