Is it the chemical makeup of nicotine vs THC/CBD? Given the fact they are both smoked, and burnt plant matter are both inhaled in the lungs, it is said that burnt tobacco smoke is more carcinogenic than cannabis smoke. Also, cannabis is used medicinally and therapeutically whereas tobacco is not.
Edit: I am aware that cannabis is better used medicinally as a tincture or in a non-smoked method (i.e. edibles). That would be the safest method of consumption.
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The Nicotine (edit. I’m not claiming it’s carcinogenic, but it is a cancer tumor growth promoter, and it is harmful). 100%. Not only does it increase the chances your cells mess up cell death, apoptosis, thus increasing cancer rates. It also increases blood flow to cancerous tumors asking for new pathways, angiogenesis, like VEGF and cannabis has been found to do the opposite. It helps that nicotine receptors are found in our lungs epithelial lining, so while Cannabis tends to have more tar since it’s not full of nicotine it’s not causing as much damage. Also it should be said that the smoke itself behaves differently. Weed smoke is actually a bronchodilator, even once used as a treatment for asthma as it could stop a full blown attack in it’s tracks. With tobacco smoke being a bronchoconstrictor, each cough you have makes all the little bits more likely to lodge themselves in your lungs. There are other smaller things at work as well, I’m not too versed in it but Cannabis can create an anti-inflammatory state which inhibits a cytokine storm. Edit (Does it need to be carcinogenic, to be harmful? I felt like the original question wasn’t limited to just carcinogens but other substances and mechanisms as well that amplified it. If it’s presence promotes cancer growth is that not bad enough. I would think that if cancer started developing, it’s a race against time. By the time you find it, it may be too late. Nicotine gives cancer a head start with all the little ways it interacts with our epithelial system. And not just that but it reduces the efficiency of chemotherapy drugs. These are all things you don’t have to worry about if you just smoke weed. Even just acknowledging that nicotine is tobacco’s natural pesticide, it’s a neurotoxin meant to keep it from being eaten. Horrible eli5 answer but whatever.)
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