I read an interesting article this morning from 2005 discussing the benefits of THC in fighting cancers versus Nicotine in promoting them:

But a recent review of studies on the effects of marijuana and tobacco smoke suggests that the cancer-promoting effects of these ingredients is increased by the tobacco in nicotine and reduced by the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis.

So where does that leave us Virginians?

Marijuana is the most widely abused illicit drug in Virginia. According to TEDS data, there were 4,677 marijuana-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in Virginia in 2002, more than for any other illicit drug and an increase from 3,781 in 2001. According to the 1999 and 2000 NHSDA, 4.1 percent of Virginia residents reported having abused marijuana at least once in the month prior to the survey; this is statistically comparable to 4.8 percent nationwide.

The Virginia Cancer Registry found that the incidence rate of lung and bronchus cancers (per 100,000) in our Thomas Jefferson District is 80.9 for Males and 54.2 for Females. In 2006 the Virginia Department of Health found that 19.3% of adult Virginians were smokers. You would think that this would create higher cases of lung cancer right?

I am still trying to wrap my head around these numbers. In order to help us better understand, lets share some of our deepest, darkest smoking secrets (are there any statisticians who can tell me if I am completely botching this analysis?):

[pic from Simon Davison flickr]

Popularity: 13% [?]

I love the “Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar” , it is one of those hard-to-find-in-cville-unpretentious establishments. If that description weren’t oxymoronic enough, everything about it is somewhat contradictory -from its diverse clientele to the odd decor-

There is no other place in town where the drama kids, the goth high schoolers, the emo crew, the frat stars and the young executives coexist in the same locale. These aren’t pure breeds though… only here you will find the selfless commies sport their $2000+ Apple laptops; you will see the eventual executive roll his sleeves up, take his shoes off and drink a pot of tea on the floor and you will see the frat/srat all stars attempt to be earthy.

This freak show could only happen in a place with a decoration as diverse as its actors: teapots from around the world, surrounded by saint candles; figurines of buddha, shiva and ganesha; arabic and voodoo-like art work, origami ropes and mirrors. My favorite component, however, is no longer in place: a shrine of junk where people would get inspired to write and leave poetry, metro stubs, artifacts and all sorts of other mementos.

I love the Tea Bazzar, although I avoid it whenever they have live shows (the ones I’ve been to have always freaked me out); but when the coast is clear from the overly artsy shows (I swear, they once had a puppet show about cicadas and country music) I love to sit on the mats by the window while I clear my thoughts, disconnect from the world outside, people watch and read a book over a pot of tea. If you make it out, don’t miss my favorites: the hummus, the Moroccan mint, the five star and my new favorite: The Bloodbath

Popularity: 31% [?]