That's actually more commonly exaggerrated as something like "one joint is like smoking 40 ciggarrettes"! I hate hearing that. I've convinced about a dozen people to start smoking, successfully! I've been put on this planet for a reason. 
That's a bunch of bs.. MJ has never been linked to cancer or anything else, so who gives a shit about tar? MJ is the best medication ever.. I use to for fevers, stomach aches and back pain. It's a damn shame that mj is banned while stuff like alcohol is legal.
NY will never have medical laws like Cali, but atleast weed of all grade is abundant. It's murder on the wallet, but worth every penny.