It is not in the best interests of a democratic society to misinform the public. Facts should be at the heart of sound decision making. Much of the well-intentioned rhetoric aimed at marijuana ignores this fact. Unfortunately, the editorial on neck cancer and marijuana use falls into this category. Certainly, as with cigarettes, marijuana smokers are subjecting their lungs to an array of potentially harmful chemicals.
Respiratory impairment caused by marijuana smoking is well documented.
However, aside from the fact that almost no marijuana smoker smokes anywhere near the amount of material as is consumed by the typical nicotine addict, the biological consequences of the similar chemicals in the two formats might not be the same. While only a fool would deny the multitudinous negative health consequences of cigarette smoking, similar conclusions are not as clear when it comes to marijuana use. The pharmacological potential for cannabis based medicines seems to grow every day. These benefical properties are the basis for the ever growing demands for legalizing medical marijuana. The positive qualities of this illegal drug are not shared by legal tobacco products.