Smoking three joints the same as a pack of cigarettes...

Smoking three cannabis joints is equal to inhaling a pack of cigarettes, according to French research. The smoke contains seven times more carbon monoxide the French Consumers Institute published in its April edition. Regular Marlboro cigarettes were tested against 280 specially rolled joints of cannabis leaves and resin in an artificial smoking machine. The tests examined the content of smoke for tar and carbon monoxide, and the toxic chemicals: nicotine, benzene and toluene. Cannabis smoke contains seven times more tar and carbon monoxide than tobacco smoke. Somebody smoking a cannabis joint rolled with tobacco will inhale twice the amount of benzene and three times the amount of toluene than that of a regular cigarette.

Smokers of pure cannabis will also inhale more of the chemicals than a cigarette - though the amount varies. Smoking three joints a day - which is frequent use - gives a smoker the same risks of cancer and cardio - vascular diseases as smoking a pack of cigarettes. This was a research on health matters only, and did not discuss the drug component of cannabis.