Tone bias is apparent in the first graph and is meant to scare readers but the study – like the CNN article – “confuses absolute risk for relative risk and makes a huge deal out of 1% risk turning into a 2% risk,” Dr.
“’Some people assume that consuming cannabis is safe and can’t harm your body, but that is incorrect,’ said lead study author Dr.
When compared with the well-known harms of tobacco and alcohol and the hundreds of thousands of deaths per year attributed to them, does the doctor’s comment actually warrant the level of alarm projected by this article, or does this comment actually refer to the widely-held assumption that cannabis seems to be less harmful than other substances? Careful readers will also note Ladha’s use of the word “potentially.” He’s not being nearly as firm on his position as the article would lead the reader to believe.
Next, CNN shifts to the potency issue.
However, their chosen expert does not speak to the study itself, but rather in oversimplified terms. The article would have certainly been fairer had the reporter included scientific voices from within the cannabis industry, referenced the health risks of other legal substances, or mentioned any of the numerous studies that have suggested potential therapeutic value of cannabis in treating a wide variety of conditions.
Be advised that possessing, using, distributing and selling cannabis are all federal crimes in the United States of America and the articles, pages, links, and other types of information on this site are not intended to assist you in violating federal law.