Another visible result of WOD (I assume you are referring to drug testing) is a zero-tolerance military on the matter of illegal drugs. Strike one and you’re out, or it’s supposed to be.
And I’m not a hardliner on urinalysis because I am having to prove my innocence every time I get `selected’ because of the morons who are doing the stuff (well, actually I am) but I did serve as a permanent member of an administrative separation board for several years. The board is conducted like a trial; defense vs prosecution, witnesses. The prosecution consists of positive test results from command directed urinalysis. Defense consists of the biggest collection of phony excuses for popping hot that I have ever heard. Only a unit commander or first sergeant hears more. If it’s a first time, the board might recommend retention over separation. Yes, show up on time in proper uniform, beg forgiveness, promise you’ll never do it again, that actually works most of the time.
I just do not think that legalization will reduce drug abuse because it’s no longer forbidden fruit. As for alcohol, we’ve already tried banning it. Tobacco use is becoming marginalized IMO. Can’t even smoke in your own home if kids are present.
IOW, stupid people do stupid things and the law steps in when their stupidity has an impact upon others.
Would like to know just one thing: why is marijuana smoke less harmful to the lungs than tobacco smoke?
“Would like to know just one thing: why is marijuana smoke less harmful to the lungs than tobacco smoke?”
It’s not. Especially since people smoke it unfiltered and take deeper drags and hold it longer, it can actually be more harmful. However, most marijuana users don’t smoke 10-40 joints a day, unlike tobacco addicts.
Gram-for-gram, marijuana smoke is probably as bad for the lungs as tobacco smoke, maybe more so. The problem is, that's not a fair basis for comparison: the reasonable basis is exposure of a typical user (one might even also consider a heavy user and a casual use -- the last in the case of tobacco being those who have a cigar after dinner on special occasions, or marijuana the user who has the odd joint at a party, but doesn't typically buy the stuff). The typical tobacco user smokes one or more cigarettes per day, while the typical marijuana user will smoke a two or three joints a week. A heavy user of tobacco might go through ten to 20 cigarettes in a day, while a heavy marijuana user might smoke one, two, maybe three joints a day.
Even conceding for argument sake that marijuana smoke is twice as bad for the lungs on an per-gram basis as tobacco smoke, comparing the exposure a typical habit creates leaves tobacco smokers more at risk of adverse health consequences.
Also, while pot-heads might not want to quit, they don't get withdrawal symptoms when they do, so smoking cessation is much easier for them than for tobacco users.