Freakonomics Radio

I just listened to the episode with Mr Zakaria. I didn’t agree with some of his theories but overall, I learned and felt my listen was helpful. I plan to play it again. Thanks.

About Cannabis The “Gateway Drug” theory turned out to be a self fulfilling prophesy by criminalizing a perfectly safe and gentle herb in use for 10,000 years. Because “If they’re lying to you about pot then they’re surely lying about acid, speed, cocaine!”  And your experts that argue “we just dont know the danger” and pose No scientific studies. Fact is theres been no money for real tests. The only test in the last 50 years was when Nixon gave Johns Hopkins $40,000 to prove that smoking pot causes lung cancer. The study showed it not only didnt cause cancer it may pervent it. Nixon sealed the study for 40 years. You can just hear him cussing them out!  The Botany of Desire author found a true scientific double blind study (Isreali) and found it to be less toxic and safer than most household substances. If fact, No deaths have ever been documented from cannabis use. And there is no known danger from overdosing. Alcohol, salt, aspirin all deadly in large quantities. Even water can kill you if over hydrated! Cigarettes can addict you by smoking just one. Thats why it’s unlawful to sell them in less than packs of Twenty. And it kills 33% of all smokers! Im sure alcohol is just as deadly.  I cringe when a talking head says “we all know its just as dangerous as alcohol”. In the seventies they said 30% of Highschool students had smoked marijuana. Surely there would be police reports to match all of the arrests from alcohol. Battery, Homicide, malicious property damage, sexual assault & DUI!  In the late 80s One of the major car magazines did a driving test of alcohol verses grass. Taking a shot or glass of wine or a couple hits off a joint every 15 minutes and running a course in a car. The booze group after one got a little faster than a little too aggressive, then sloppy and clipping cones after 4 drinks And yet the pot smokers slowed down a bit and got slower and slower and more cautious after about a whole joint.   

If you are easily led, this is the liberal show for you.

I love how the host makes such an intentional effort to offer a balanced perspective, laying out the arguments of both sides, always. Integrity 100% And always super well researched and documented with excellent guests, controversial or not.