Cannabis (Marijuana) Vs Smoking Tobacco

October 6, 2015 "Tobacco is a product that does a lot of damage. Marijuana is infinitely worse and it's something that we do not want to encourage." -- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

Obviously, at one time, marijuana was widely (and correctly) perceived as detrimental, and acceptance was low. Today, however, polls show that some 60 percent of North Americans think it should be legalised.

Canadians have one of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world.

The gaseous and particulate composition of cannabis and tobacco cigarettes is similar, with the exception of the active components, THC and nicotine.

It’s not because we’ve learned that the health risks were overstated. Advocates have insisted for decades that pot is no more harmful than tobacco and alcohol. Indeed, many go so far as to claim it’s safer. Unfortunately for them, the medical research does not back them up.

An article (September 14, 2015) by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, documents many negative effects of marijuana use. And the research continues to pile up, showing how it can harm the developing teenage brain, increase the risk of heart attack, and diminish IQ.

“More than smoking tobacco; OR EVEN DRINKING ALCOHOL, smoking marijuana can damage the heart, lungs and brain,” write William J. Bennett and Robert A. White in the new book “Going to Pot.”

“Moreover, cannabis immediately impairs cognitive abilities and motor coordination, interfering with the smoker’s judgment, driving skills, and other basic abilities.” It delivers more tar to the lungs than tobacco does, along with cancer-causing chemicals. While one studies claim Cannabis smokers only complained of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and phlegm and that emphysema, the progressive and crippling lung disease, was only seen in those who smoked tobacco, either alone or in combination; long-term or heavy users develop symptoms of chronic asthma and bronchitis . Asthma, bronchitis emphysema, often the three are grouped together and the disease called Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD) is a lung disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The more familiar terms 'chronic bronchitis' and 'emphysema' are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis. In high doses, paranoia and psychosis result.

The amount of tar and carcinogens inhaled during cannabis smoking is comparable. However, owing to the techniques commonly used during the smoking of cannabis there may be greater deposition of these harmful substances in the airways. In particular, cannabis is usually smoked without a filter and burns much hotter (due to a shorter butt) than tobacco cigarettes. In addition, cannabis fumes are often inhaled to maximum inspiration with longer breath holding to increase THC absorption. This may lead to significant variation in the deposition of tar and carbon monoxide, depending on the mode of administration, depth of inspiration and length of breath holding.

Histological evidence indicates that marijuana exposure can injure the respiratory epithelium and reduce ciliated epithelial cell numbers, a change almost identical to that seen in tobacco smokers. Endobronchial biopsies have also shown evidence of goblet cell metaplasia, reserve cell hyperplasia and squamous cell metaplasia. These and other effects may lead to edema and inflammation of the airways as well as mucus hyper secretion. Years ago, the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the stuff that gets you high) in marijuana was much lower—around 3 to 5 percent. But today’s “turbo pot” tends to be around 13 percent, and up to 20 or even 30 percent in some cases.

“It is like comparing a twelve-ounce glass of beer with a twelve-ounce glass of 80 proof vodka,” writes Bennett, former drug czar for the United States. “Both contain alcohol, but they have vastly different effects on the body when consumed.”

The main reason for the shift is the advent of “medical marijuana.” That put a halo of safety around the substance, making those who oppose it seem insensitive to the needs of people in chronic pain.

But, Bennett and White point out; it’s not as if doctors are prescribing it in places where it’s legal. In most places, a physician gives a patient who says he’s suffering “severe pain” a note that allows him (and the vast majority are, in fact, males under 35) to obtain a medical marijuana card.

THE EXPERTS

Research has shown that about four per cent of marijuana users report some sort of health, legal or financial trouble, said David Hammond, the CIHR Applied Chair in Public Health at the University of Waterloo. The amount for tobacco is higher: anywhere between 30 and 50 per cent, Hammond said, suggesting that tobacco use carries more health concerns than marijuana use.

Heavy, long-term use of marijuana by teens has been linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia-related mental health disorders in early adulthood, said Steven Laviolette from Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, who researches the effects on the brain of nicotine and THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. However, Laviolette said, those teenagers are using marijuana with a heavy amount of THC.

Research has also shown these teens may have a genetic predisposition to developing mental health disorders, he said, blurring links between smoking marijuana and mental health issues. As well, a chemical in marijuana, known as CBD, has been shown to be an anti-psychotic that counteracts THC, Laviolette said, creating a debate with more subtleties than political sound bites allow.

The Canadian Cancer Society says research linking marijuana smoking to increased cancer risks "is not as strong or comprehensive as the evidence that links tobacco use and cancer." Part of the problem is that marijuana smokers also use tobacco and sometimes mix the two substances.

With mental health issues, the science isn't conclusive because marijuana use may exacerbate underlying issues.

THE VERDICT

Marijuana does carry some health concerns -- of that there is little debate. Saying it is "infinitely worse" than tobacco is "a lot of baloney; there's simply no evidence at all to suggest that's true either in terms of health care costs, or in terms of relative health dangers,"