Tobacco vs. Cannabis: Understanding the Key Differences

Even though both tobacco and cannabis are plant-based products and used in smoking, research points us towards the conclusion that tobacco is more dangerous to health than cannabis. If you’re considering using cannabis to treat a medical condition, obtaining a medical marijuana card San Francisco will allow you to legally possess the drug in your state and shield you from potential legal issues.

While marijuana is completely illegal at the federal level, tobacco is legal to use without restrictions. Cannabis is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance for its transport across state lines, and some states have not legalized medical marijuana programs at all.

Since nicotine found in tobacco products is ranked among the most addictive substances globally, together with heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, and alcohol, such a status is shocking. Surprisingly, cannabis did not make it to that list of the most addictive substances. Also, tobacco and cannabis smoke are not the same; cannabis smoke is considered to be less of a carcinogen (cancer-causing).

What Is Tobacco?

Tobacco is a plant that is commonly grown, specifically for its leaves, which are dry and usually undergo some form of fermentation. Tobacco is then processed into cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. Using this procedure on a large scale.

How It Works

Wild tobacco is native to the subcontinent of South America, Mexico, and the United States. Historically, those who wanted to smoke tobacco used to pack the tube and papers with the leaves. Nicotine, which is a very addictive chemical, is found in all tobacco products. All categories of tobacco products have nicotine. The release of adrenaline in the brain occurs when nicotine is present in the blood stream.

It is then followed by the release of dopamine due to stimulation of the CNS. Dopamine is tightly connected with the pursuit of rewards, and therefore nicotine is rather a difficult substance to quit. Furthermore, nicotine is considered psychoactive because it serves as a stimulant.

Uses

Tobacco also has cultural relevance apart from its uses in pipes, cigars, and cigarettes. It has been employed in healing sances and prayer ceremonies by the Native American tribe. Two more ways tobacco is consumed are chewing tobacco and smoking loose leaves in a hookah (water pipe).

Potential Benefits

Some of the traditional healers believe that tobacco helps to build up the body and actually improves overall health. But research has proved it pointed out the risks and drawbacks of tobacco are way more than the benefits and uses, and the health benefits of the plant are limited.

Risks and Drawbacks

Smoking cigarettes is generally dangerous in that many of its consequences entail severe complications. But it is important to keep in mind that other than nicotine, smoking cigarettes contains and causes the majority of the health problems. The following are a few possible adverse effects of tobacco smoke:

• High blood pressure
• Chronic bronchitis
• Lung and other types of cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Stroke
• Heart disease and heart attack

People who smoke are more likely to develop mouth cancer, and chewing is not healthy either.

Comparing Tobacco and Cannabis: Similarities and Differences

Smoking either tobacco or marijuana may make you feel happy because the brain produces special chemicals called endorphins. In spite of the fact that both substances are viewed as psychoactive, tobacco’s nicotine contains only stimulant properties. Cannabis contains an endogenous cannabinoid known as naturally occurring ‘Tetrahydrocannabinol’, which can cause a central nervous stimulating effect if the other substances are not present or can have sedative effects if the other substances are present.

As to addiction-making capability, nicotine is said to be more addictive than cannabis, though both drugs can lead to dependency. Both drugs can make uncomfortable withdrawal signs if stopped, but the withdrawal from nicotine may be tougher than from cannabis.  

Unlike cannabis that you can consume, tobacco is lethal when swallowed. As a matter of fact, it is quite widely known that people prefer to consume cannabis in edible form. Many individuals incorporate cannabis into delicious baked recipes, whether in take-and-bake meals or plain baked items.

A final difference between tobacco and cannabis is that while tobacco is processed from the leaves of the plant, cannabis is made from either buds or flowers. Finally, I leave it up to the reader to decide what of those plants is suitable for him or her because, in fact, tobacco and cannabis are rather distant relatives.

Choosing the Right Option

In order to evaluate whether one should use cannabis or tobacco, the following considerations should be made:

When to Use Tobacco

Judging by all the health risks that are associated with tobacco use, it becomes hard to speak for its use. Let’s avoid any contact with tobacco products at all to keep our bodies healthy and free from diseases from tobacco.

When to Use Cannabis

Scientific studies have demonstrated that cannabis has a wide range of potential advantages and applications.

• ALS (A.K.A. Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Autism
• Anxiety Disorders and Depression
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome (bulimia or anorexia may also be considered qualifying conditions in some states)
• Cancer (and Adverse Effects of Chemotherapy)
• Chronic Pain (which in some states also includes headaches, arthritis, and migraines)
• Hepatitis C
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, specifically ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic Muscle Cramps and Spasms from conditions 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe Nausea
• Seizures (e.g., from Epilepsy)
• Spinal Cord Injuries or Diseases

With the introduction of CBD products, the plant is now even being used as a natural beauty remedy. Before starting a regimen, you should speak with a licensed medical marijuana doctor or other healthcare professional. They will assess whether marijuana is appropriate for you and will issue you a $20 medical marijuana card San Francisco that will enable you to lawfully access, possess, and purchase marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries.

Ending Words!

Because it contains nicotine, tobacco may be more addictive than cannabis. Tobacco use is linked to serious health hazards. While inhaling any chemicals can be hazardous, smoking cannabis has not been associated with as many health risks as smoking tobacco. It has been demonstrated that using cannabis in other forms—topical, sublingual, and edible—has numerous potential health advantages that tobacco does not seem to provide.