Cannabis or marijuana is often seen as an addictive and dangerous drug, when in actuality, it is a lesser evil than cigarettes. Cigarettes have questionable ingredients, while marijuana is a natural non-toxic substance from the earth.
According to quitsmokingsupport.com, “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT."
Cigarette smokers increase their chances of getting cancer with each puff because certain chemicals are directly linked to certain cancers. Most of the ingredients, such as tar, stay within the lungs with each puff, further damaging the lungs. E-cigarettes were released as the lesser evil, advertising water vapors that should be harmless. Unfortunately, the ingredients to the water capsules are a secret, as are the ingredients to regular cigarettes. “The FDA found detectable levels of toxic cancer-causing chemicals—including an ingredient used in antifreeze—in two leading brands of e-cigarettes and 18 various cartridges," according to the American Lung Association.
Marijuana, on the other hand, isn’t just something to consume recreationally; it also has its medicinal uses. “Medical cannabis has had demonstrated effects in treating nausea, vomiting, unintended weight loss, and lack of appetite," as stated in home-remedies-for-you.com “Medical cannabis is also used to treat spasticity, painful neurogenic conditions, movement disorders, asthma, and glaucoma.”
Jen Christensen at CNN wrote an article on the different ailments cannabis can be used for called, "10 Diseases Where Medical Marijuana Could Have Impact." It is used to uplift mood, trigger an appetite and lessen neurological and muscle problems. With more states legalizing the plant, scientists and doctors are more interested in the different effects marijuana have on people.
Marijuana has many helpful qualities, while cigarette smoking is just an act of harming one's self. Smoking in general is a harmful act. There are a multitude of ways one can ingest cannabis in a non-harmful manner, such as brewing it in tea, oil extract, vaporizers and more.[1]
Marijuana does not only treat physical issues, it also treats mental health problems. "Recent research indicates the efficacy of Cannabis sativa in the treatment of mood disorders and mental health problems such as depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit disorders, and Crohn's Disease, amongst other mental disorders. It is also helpful in dealing with premenstrual syndrome, high blood pressure and insomnia." [2]
Though with most substances, too much is a bad thing. Marijuana does affect people differently, therefore, before taking part, it is best to find out the best dosage per substance form, per person.
Listing the information side by side caused a recent change in the social outlook of marijuana, which then led to the legalization of the drug in certain states, and remained a part of further discussion in others.
