There might be 5 times the tar in a joint than a cigarette but that doesn't make weed worse.
First a cigarette smoker smokes about 20+ cigs a day. Second, weed doesn't have cyanide and all the other chemicals or carcinogens (cancer causing agents) that cigarettes have.
At any rate, it's never been proven that cigs cause cancer in all people. Obviously, they cause cancer in some with certain genes but some people still seem to resist it.
I lost 2 family members to lung cancer last year and did loads of research on it. With all the reading I've done, and all the doctors I've spoken with, I can only conclude that cancer lies within the individuals genetic makeup.
There is a lot of research that suggests that you're diet can be preventative maintenance as well. Especially regarding mycology.
Some folks smoke 2 packs/day for 60 years and live to 110. Others smoke 1 pack/day for 2 years of their lives and die before they're 50.
All of that aside, should it be the government's choice whether I live or die?
Live free or die.