A sweeping federal assessment of marijuana research found the lung-health risks of smoking weed appear "relatively small" and "far lower than those of smoking tobacco," the top cause of preventable death in the US. And while smoking cannabis may be less dangerous than tobacco to lung health, pot doesn't get an entirely clean slate. Here's a look at the issues, science and perspectives:SMOKING POT VS. TOBACCOWhile cigarette smoking is the top risk factor for lung cancer, some of scientific evidence suggests there's no link between marijuana smoking and lung cancer. And adding legal marijuana to the picture "only makes it a more complicated issue," says Erika Sward, an assistant vice president. ___TWO VIEWSAs a former cigarette smoker, New Yorker Gary Smith is dismayed that his home state might OK smoking pot.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 08, 2019 02:15 UTC