The war on tobacco officially began in the mid-1960s with a Surgeon General’s report on the dangers of tobacco smoke. The result of that report, along with the dozens that followed thereafter, was an all-out effort by the states to hold tobacco companies accountable. The war on tobacco is effectively over – but we still have a major problem with marijuana.
Many of the states that fought so aggressively against Big Tobacco have given the green light to recreational marijuana. And guess how the vast majority of marijuana users consume the drug? Through inhalation. They prefer to:
- Smoke via joints in bongs.
- Vape or dry heat marijuana.
- Dab with a THC concentrate.
All these methods involve inhaling chemicals other than THC. Some of those chemicals are toxic; others are known carcinogens. So why are the same leaders so opposed to tobacco smoking willing to fully embrace smoking, vaping, and dabbing recreational marijuana?
The Master Settlement Agreement
More than 30 years after the initial tobacco report, the attorney’s general of 46 states reached a legal agreement with the four biggest companies in Big Tobacco. Known as the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), it laid the foundation for reducing smoking rates while guaranteeing that tobacco companies continue to make settlement payments for as long as they choose to sell tobacco.
The agreement also calls for limiting tobacco company advertising, reducing smoking rates among young people, encouraging the entertainment industry to refrain from tobacco depictions, and more. Has it worked? Smoking rates have dropped dramatically since the war on tobacco began. Some people believe the MSA has played a role.
Others suggest that the MSA has been nothing more than a revenue generating tool for the states. No doubt the states have reaped hundreds of billions of dollars over the years. At the same time, states like Colorado and California do not seem too concerned about smoking marijuana.
Some States Ban Smoking
In fairness, some states with decriminalized marijuana have been bold enough to ban smoking it. Utah is one such state. According to Salt Lake City’s dispensary Beehive Farmacy, Utah is a medical only state. Recreational consumption is not allowed. Beehive also says that state law bans the practice of smoking.
Visitors to either Beehive Farmacy location have access to medical cannabis vapes, cannabis flower for dry heating and cooking, and a variety of other forms including edibles, tinctures, and topical products.
Smoking has been banned in Utah because it is bad for human health. So at least the Beehive State is consistent in that regard. As for other states who turn a blind eye to smoking marijuana, I can only conclude that the decision is political.
All Smoke Is Bad
The war on tobacco was predicated on the understanding that inhaling the products of combustion is bad for human health. Certainly, we know that this is true based on scientific studies looking into the constituents of smoke. We also know that certain kinds of smoke contain more toxic chemicals than others. But all smoke is bad.
Is there a safe way to smoke marijuana? Not really. Any time you light something on fire and then inhale the resulting smoke, you are inhaling dangerous chemicals that could potentially damage your lungs. Marijuana smoke is no better for your lungs than tobacco smoke.
Personally, I am in favor of medical cannabis as a treatment for certain qualifying conditions. I am not in favor of smoking marijuana for any reason. Unfortunately, even though we figured it out where tobacco is concerned, we are still smoking weed. Why? It doesn’t make sense.
