Pot in the Windowbox

Octogenarians with fatties?

New research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana may prevent the progression of [Alzheimer's] disease by preserving levels of an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California found that marijuana's active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs.

You may remember those whole-school scare tactic assemblies where the D.A.R.E. fanatics and their predecessors cornered the entire student body in the cafeteria or gymnasium and proceeded to tell you how absorbing THC into your body was tantamount to taking a cyanide capsule. It would appear they were in error. How surprising.

THC is also more effective at blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients, the researchers reported in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

So marijuana is actually going to start improving people's memory recall. I don't care if you are a hardcore anti-drug crusader; if you don't see the humor and irony in that, you need to go rent a personality.

Those afflicted with Alzheimer's suffer from memory loss, impaired decision-making, and diminished language and movement skills.

Remind you of the symptoms of something else? All they're missing is the overwhelming craving to consume a large bag of Cheetos. THC can provide them with that, as well.

Coincidence or serendipity?