Evidence That Cannabis is Healthier Than Cigarettes

Although marijuana is still federally illegal and considered a dangerous controlled substance, there is even more recent evidence that cannabis is indeed healthier and safer than cigarettes. While this is no breaking news for most informed cannabis users or cigarette antagonists, the recent findings on cigarettes contrast quite starkly with all the good news that has been received in the legalization camp about health benefits from medicating. 

The most recent report from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention states that cigarettes kill over 480,000 Americans a year— greater than the death toll of World Wars I and II combined. The report also states that cigarettes are the leading cause in both lung cancer and heart disease. Even second hand cigarette smoke results in 42,000 deaths a year, which is alarming enough on its own. 

According to a statement by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, legalization of cannabis will not be reconsidered at this time in light of these new findings. The statement reads, “The Obama Administration continues to oppose legalization of marijuana and other illegal drugs because it flies in the face of a public health approach to reducing drug use and its consequences. Our approach is founded on the understanding of addiction as a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated, and from which people can recover.” 

Still, despite all this, cannabis continues to gain more acceptance across the US as states are legalizing and embracing the medical potential. While it is evident that smoking of any kind can have negative effects, vaping and edibles are on the rise as alternatives, and the benefits of cannabis use versus the obvious dangers of cigarette smoke are staggering. As time goes on and the stats are compared, Americans will no doubt realize this and continue to cry out for more fair legislation.