Differences Between Smoking Cigarettes & Marijuana

The debate between marijuana and cigarette smoking continues to be discussed in secondary schools, college campuses and social gatherings. While laws are significantly different between using marijuana and cigarettes, both of these drugs can have a negative effect on health. Depending on the amount of use, cigarettes and marijuana can be harmful in different ways.

Negative Effects

• According to the Princeton University website, the THC in marijuana blocks the immune system. This allows illness, such as cancer, into the body. Marijuana has more hydrocarbons that cause cancer than cigarettes. Smoking tobacco may cause lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. This is due to the carbon monoxide found in the nicotine which marijuana does not have. Over time, this restricts the blood flow to the heart.

Addictive Properties

• Tobacco encourages dependence due to the nicotine's effect on stress, according to information on Princeton University's website. The more a tobacco user smokes, the less effect the nicotine has on the stress, thus encouraging more use. Marijuana's addictive properties are controversial as this drug is seen more as a psychologically dependent drug rather than a physically dependent drug. However, marijuana users can experience physical withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and headaches.

Legal Issues

• Smoking cigarettes is legal anywhere in the United States at the age of 18. According to Pro Con, a non-profit website that looks at controversial topics, marijuana can only be used for medicinal purposes in Alaska, California, Colorado, Washington DC, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. These states require a medicinal marijuana card and proof of the need for medicinal marijuana treatment. In other states, any marijuana use is illegal and consequences may involve a fine or jail time.