As much as I understand what you're saying and agree with you (abusing ANYTHING can be harmful), I just wanted to point out that there is not ONE case in medical history of marijuana use proving to be fatal. Aside from the obvious risks that come with smoke inhalation, it's a pretty safe drug to use. I'd much rather "o.d." on pot than on most any prescription drug.
don't want to make another marijuana thread go on forever, but while thc isn't lethal, there are lots of other nasties in the smoke, same as tobacco, so long term it's not good for you, and i bet even an asthmatic could get in trouble. i'm not saying it's on the same scale as tobacco, it's statistically small but suppose some guy was dumb enough to drive while stoned and went from zero to oops in a five second response time, i think that should count. again, it's not like alcohol, but as an asterisk, there's a counterargument better than mine at http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_deaths_due_to_marijuana
No disrespect bro, but I was being a little more specific when I was talking about death by marijuana. I stated that smoking is no good for you, but that could range from cigarettes to inhaling smoke from a camp fire. Aside from that, there's no such thing as someone OD'ing on weed and dying. You could sit down with pounds and pounds of grass and just start smoking. All you'd do is end up falling asleep. Long-term effects of smoking CAN prove to be fatal, but that's not the only way that marijuana is used. Marijuana itself is NOT a killer. The act of smoking is, yes, but no one told you that you HAVE to smoke weed. EAT IT or VAPORIZE IT!
If you sat down and drank too much alcohol, you could actually poison yourself and die in one sitting. Same with a lot of prescription drugs. Weed just makes you eat and pass out. The only reason it's not legal in Canada and the U.S. is because of moral and religious stigmas... not actual facts. There's no doubt in my mind that alcohol is worse for you, yet it's legal and taxed. Same with cigarettes... go figure.
As far as smoking and getting behind the wheel goes... that's such a subjective argument. You could argue also that eating turkey before driving can be fatal as it may cause you to become drowsy and therefore decrease your reaction time. If you know that turkey makes you drowsy, then don't drive after eating it. Same goes for marijuana. Weed does NOT give you a false sense of security. If anything, it makes you wayyyyy more scared of every little thing.
Marijuana is a lifestyle, not a narcotic. And I had gyne way before I ever puffed on a joint. I highly doubt it has anything to do with my chest...