The debate about the health impacts of marijuana compared to tobacco is ongoing, with various studies providing conflicting results. A key point of contention is whether marijuana is as harmful, or even more harmful, than tobacco.
From the Harvard Health perspective, marijuana presents significant risks for heart health. It can cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise, which may be particularly dangerous for individuals with heart disease. Research also suggests that the risk of heart attack increases significantly in the hour after smoking marijuana. Additionally, marijuana smoke contains many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke. According to Dr. Agrawal, marijuana smoke has about 50% more benzopyrene and 75% more benzanthracene than regular cigarette smoke.
In contrast, a UCSF-led study suggests that low to moderate use of marijuana may be less harmful to users’ lungs than exposure to tobacco. This comprehensive study, which included data from over 5000 U.S. adults over more than 20 years, indicates that the lung damage from marijuana might not be as severe as that from tobacco.
Moreover, a Canadian study published in the journal Radiology points to the possibility of worse lung damage from smoking marijuana compared to tobacco. This study raises concerns amid the increasing use of marijuana and its legalization in many states.
While marijuana has known medicinal uses, there is a growing perception that it is harmless or even beneficial, a notion that is being increasingly scrutinized. It’s essential to consider that marijuana cultivation and use dates back around 6000 years and has been smoked traditionally in joints, pipes, and, more recently, in electronic cigarettes.
Given these conflicting views and research findings, it remains unclear whether marijuana is as harmful or more harmful than tobacco. This uncertainty calls for further research and a careful evaluation of existing studies to understand the true impact of marijuana on health, particularly in comparison to tobacco.