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A <br />Like tobacco, marijuana contains many chemicals that can <br />hurt the lungs and cause cancer. One marijuana cigarette can cause <br />more damage to the lungs than many tobacco cigarettes because <br />marijuana has more tar in it and is usually smoked without filters. <br />Other studies have shown that more than 70% of the tar in <br />marijuana is retained in the lungs. Over 150 chemicals have been <br />identified in marijuana smoke and tar. White blood cells can't <br />remove bacteria and debris as well. <br />Marijuana contains more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than <br />tobacco smoke and because marijuana smokers usually inhale <br />deeper and hold the smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco <br />smokers, their lungs are exposed to those carcinogenic properties <br />longer. One study found that marijuana smokers were three times <br />more likely to develop cancer of the head or neck than non <br />smokers. Many researchers believe that smoking marijuana is <br />overall more harmful to the lungs than smoking tobacco. Nor are <br />these all the damaging effects of marijuana use. <br />As a community we think of ways to prevent destructive and <br />dangerous behavior. We double the rates of life insurance for <br />smokers. We mandate that those who ride bikes and motorcycles, <br />and play football, must wear helmets. We enforce the use of <br />seatbelts and child seats in cars. Then we throw away our common <br />sense and legalize RECREATIONAL marijuana so people can <br />have fun. <br />The law in Washington State may have changed, but the <br />consequences of unwise behavior will always remain unchanged. <br />Maybe we should put that in our pipes and smoke it. <br />David Crane <br />(509) 962-1431 <br />