We’ve all heard that marijuana contains some of the same carcinogens (cancer causing agents) as tobacco. There are rumors floating around that one marijuana joint is as carcinogenic as four or five cigarettes. While burning marijuana does produce carcinogens, there has never been a study that has definitively linked smoking marijuana to lung cancer, even in heavy pot smokers. So, if burning marijuana does produce carcinogens, then why have scientists yet to determine a definite link between blazing and lung cancer?

According to an article published by Reuters on August 25, 2009, long term pot smokers (those who had smoked for at least 10 to 20 years) were up to 62% less likely to develop head and neck cancers than those who did not smoke pot. The study, featured 434 patients who had a head or neck cancer and 547 people without these cancers in the greater Boston area between 1999 and 2003. After accounting for drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and other factors that might increase the risk for one to develop a head or neck cancer, scientists found that people who blazed between one and three times every two weeks, on average, were half as likely to develop a head or neck cancer, compared with less frequent pot users. Age also played a factor, as scientists found that those who began blazing between the ages of 15 and 19 were 47% less likely to develop a head or neck cancer, and those who began blazing at age 20 or older had a 61% reduced risk.

So how does marijuana actually help prevent cancer? The exact reasons are unknown, but scientists believe that cannabinoids within weed have anti-tumor effects. So, it is the belief of many scientists, myself included, that these cannabinoids offset the carcinogenic effect of other chemicals found in marijuana. Of course, if you use a vaporizer to blaze, you will get the anti-tumor effects of the cannabinoids, without the carcinogens.

With that note, I think it’s time for me warm up my vaporizer. Happy blazing everyone.

Professor Blaze

drblaze@vansterdamclothing.com