Is vaporizing medical marijuana safer than smoking?

Top Answer

Medical Jane

Last updated: May 31st, 2016

The Institute of Medicine found in 1999 that, “because of the health risks associated with smoking, smoked cannabis should generally not be recommended for long-term medical use.” Although there is no evidence that smoking cannabis causes lung cancer, or even damages them, it is thought that the smoke can potentially cause symptoms that may lead to respiratory problems. This is why vaporizing should be the primary delivery system for medical marijuana patients. Multiple scientific studies have been conducted confirming vaporizing as being a healthy alternative to traditionally smoked marijuana.

Another study performed by researchers at Leiden University found that the effects of using a vaporizer are “comparable to the smoking of cannabis, while avoiding the respiratory disadvantages of smoking.” These results aren’t the culmination of bias or wishful thinking at the hands of medical marijuana advocates or sympathizers; they are the result of sound scientific theory and evidence. It’s a fact: Vaporizers successfully deliver the therapeutic effects of marijuana without exposing patients to the harmful side effects from smoking.

Long term risks associated with inhaling combusted materials (such as respiratory disease and multiple types of cancer) are often not a main concern for older patients or those already ailing from cancer or other debilitating diseases. However for younger patients medicating for reasons such as eating disorders, anxiety, stress, insomnia, etc., long term effects of smoking medical marijuana should be taken into consideration. Simply put, vaporizing cannabis is a healthy alternative that will not come back to harm patients in the future like smoking has the potential to do.

Click here to learn more about the vaporization of cannabis.

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