A possible chemical basis for the higher mutagenicity of marijuana smoke as compared to tobacco smoke

Abstract
The results of comparative analyses of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in marijuana and tobacco smoke indicate a considerably higher content of potential carcinogens in the former. A model experiment involving Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol suggests that the pyrolysis products of cannabinoids are major contributors to the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.