Hey Stoniphi,
I appreciate the comment re this being the "first death from that in the entirety of recorded human history - that's about 11,000 year". How do you explain Bruce's May 10th episode, given that the doctor involved on that occasion has openly remarked that cannabis was the likely cause (see Death by Misadventure documentary)? Also, how do you respond to the comment that Bruce was consuming particuarly potent strains of cannabis, unavailable to most average users. Do you consider this unfounded speculation?
I was not the attending physician so I cannot give anything near a diagnosis of that event other than to remark that - if the comment attributed to the doctor is accurate - than he had no idea what he was talking about.
The news stories, seriously flawed studies and the like that have been surfacing loudly and with great media fanfare in recent years are obvious conservative political ploys with the stated goal of re - criminalizing cannabis in several countries.
Understand this: When a person ingests cannabis,
cannabinoids the active ingredients, engage what we call CB 1 and CB 2 receptors in your central nervous system scattered throughout your entire body. Specifically, Delta - 9 tetrahydrocannabinol engages the CB 1 receptors and gets the user "stoned" and Cannabidiol (CBD) engages CB 2 receptors, some of which moderate pain perception and prevent 'pain resonance' in the paraquaductal gray area of your brain. If you are feeling nauseous, engaging the CB 2 receptors will stop that. (this is a simplified and abbreviated explanation of a very complex neurochemical interaction)
Once those receptors are all engaged with the cannabinoids, there is no further effect from ingesting more cannabis. 'Street cannabis' has indeed become more potent in the last 40 years, but one must bear in mind that the starting point was close to zero - some cannabis back then was male plants, leaf material ("schwag") and/or unripe cannabis that had very little active ingredient so merely getting smarter about what to market made for major improvement in quality.
The "skunk" strain (an Afghan kush bred by Sam the Skunkman in California about 20 years ago) that is touted as being so very strong isn't so much, it just smells like a skunk. In Canada, "Sativex" throat spray is sold by prescription for various ailments. It is almost 100% pure active ingredients. Hashish is typically 40% - 60% pure active ingredients (the strongest 'street pot' around today is about 24%) and has been available in the West since the early 1800's. Remember Coleridge (he wrote Xanadu) and "the Hashish Eaters" artists group? Further, those 'exceptionally potent strains' were readily available to a lot of folks, not just to Bruce Lee (if he had wanted them). "Honey Oil", about 80% pure active ingredients has been available since the late 1960's and is even more available now.
Again, Mr Lee's ethics and lifestyle choice revolved around the martial arts aspects of Shaolin Buddhism. He did not smoke anything because that would interfere with his training, as would eating or drinking large amounts of cannabis. The traditions of Wing Chung and the teachings of Yip Man ran contrary to that as well. His life philosophy is crystal clear, well published and verified by his many training associates and students.
Occam's Razor (parsimony) dictates that there is no need to make up fairy stories to explain a tragedy that already has a solid explanation. These days, it is easier to make a rapid diagnosis of a sudden, unexpected death - witness the passing of those 2 teen athletes in the last week from enlarged heart failure.