Smoking cannabis: Is it really that bad?

As more people support cannabis legalization, social perceptions about the plant and its uses are shifting towards acceptance. With that, one of the most commonly raised questions is around the safety of smoking cannabis. The fear and hesitation stems from what we know about smoking tobacco, which is the top cause of preventable death in the US, according to the CDC.

Smoking tobacco has been proven to be highly detrimental to health. Around 1 in 5 of all deaths are due to tobacco-related diseases according to the American Cancer Society, which is more than the rate of deaths by motor vehicle accidents, alcohol or drug use, or firearm-related incidents. In addition to affecting the brain, heart, lungs, and immune system, smoking can also harm those who come in contact with second-hand smoke. Studies have proven this to be true, so the concerns around smoking cannabis are certainly valid.

We can’t help but ask if the same rules apply to cannabis when smoked or if smoking has more side effects than other consumption methods?

Understand WHAT you’re smoking

According to the American Lung Association, no matter the source of smoke, it is harmful to the lungs. Whether it’s from wood, tobacco, or marijuana, smoke contains multiple toxins and carcinogens that can result in long-term breathing issues and lead to the development of lung cancer. Any smoke still contains several harmful chemicals, such as “ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide, and aromatic amines. And chronic exposure to these compounds in smoke is known to cause bronchitis.

However, before coming to a straight and simple conclusion, we need to understand the differences between tobacco and cannabis. They are very different substances that have profoundly different effects on the body and mind. In the case of cigarettes, smoking delivers a hit of nicotine, an addictive stimulant found in tobacco, to the brain nearly instantly.

Cannabis is a host to beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes that integrate seamlessly with your body’s endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids like CBD are known to combat pain, inflammation, sleep, nausea, anxiety and depression, as well as seizures and neurodegenerative issues. Some past studies, as well as a recent government-led study in Thailand, show cannabinoid activity has the potential for slowing the growth of cancerous tumors.

We need to apply heat or decarboxylate, cannabis flower to release these cannabinoid compounds. Consuming raw cannabis or its leaves provides a boost in antioxidants and fiber, but your body won’t process the cannabinoids because they aren’t activated into forms that our receptors can intercept and engage with until decarboxylated. In the case of smoked or vaporized cannabis, the decarboxylation process happens in real-time. With edibles, tinctures, or topicals, the process happens before it is combined with other ingredients to create the final product.

Not all smoke is created equal

Research is yet unsure whether the smoke from cannabis poses the same risk of lung cancer as tobacco. In a report by The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a team of researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that nearly two million U.S. adults with heart disease reported using marijuana at some point in their life. Participants in the survey were asked if they ever used marijuana or hashish and if they had ever been diagnosed with heart disease including heart failure, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, or heart attack to come to their conclusion. However, a closer look at the study shows they did not consider that cannabis and tobacco are often used and misused together. Studies like this in the past have also failed to take this into account. Additionally, the study failed to consider other health issues and factors that may affect the respondent’s risk and chances of cardiovascular disease.

More well-controlled research needs to be conducted and smoking tobacco and smoking cannabis must be investigated separately and their sociological impact considered independently.

Recently, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) publication concluded that low to moderate use of cannabis in in the long term [was] less harmful than tobacco exposure. Addition cites a similar finding and states that while cannabis is not void of potential adverse effects on the respiratory system, there is still no evidence linking its use to the development of lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some theorize that the potential anti-tumorgenic, anti-inflammatory and/or broncho-dilatory properties of cannabinoids may contribute to the prevention of lung disease development despite smoking.

Recently, the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) publication concluded that low to moderate use of cannabis in in the long term [was] less harmful than tobacco exposure.

While there is no data on the health consequences of breathing secondhand marijuana smoke, there is concern that it could cause harmful health effects, especially among younger children in the home. Additional research on the health effects of secondhand marijuana smoke is needed.

How about vaping?

Some people believe vaping is safer than smoking because it doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. You can vape in two ways: with ground flower (the whole cannabis plant) or with cannabis oil.

With a good flower vaporizer, set to the proper temperatures, cannabinoids can be inhaled with little to no concerns regarding combustion. Oil cartridge vaporization, requires more care and attention, with the greatest concern being the severe effects of inhaling vitamin E acetate. Do not utilize illicit-market products, and make sure your oil cartridges are made by licensed, reputable brands who employ rigorous and comprehensive tests to ensure the safety of their products.

Understand what you need

One thing we are sure of is the importance of identifying ways to smoke cannabis safely and consciously for what you need.

Bioavailability comes into play here. According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, bioavailability is the degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration. Simplified, it refers to what percentage your body absorbs the compounds of the cannabis plant when consumed.

In 2005 study called ‘Pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids’, smoking cannabis was found to have about 30% average bioavailability. Vaping is more controlled than smoking a joint and bioavailability can reach levels as high as 50 – 80%. The reason why edibles are sometimes a hit or miss is because the cannabis is processed through the digestive system and liver and get metabolized by the body. Its effects may therefore be varied and bioavailability ranges from somewhere between 4 – 20%. Topicals typically have little impact to the entire body and provide more targeted relief because it needs to pass through the skin barrier for absorption.

In general, the more bioavailable the dose, the lower the quantity you need in order to experience the effects. You are looking for methods and products that have the highest bioavailability for the most efficient experience.

What does this have to do with smoking?

While our lungs are best equipped to inhale oxygen into our body, inhaling cannabinoids delivers the benefits to our bloodstream quicker than any other consumption method. In some cases, smoking or vaping cannabis leads to immediate effects, whereas ingesting an edible or consuming sublingually takes a minimum of 30 minutes for benefits to take effect. Therefore, if you’re looking for immediate and controlled relief, you might want to consider smoking or inhaling your cannabis.

Rule of thumb when shopping

Whether it’s purchasing flower, pre-rolls, cannabis oil cartridges, or even rolling papers, if the ingredients aren’t listed, tested, and verified: don’t buy it. You want to consume something as natural, undiluted, and unprocessed as possible. Products should be free of contaminants, including pesticides and heavy metals and product quality specifications must meet the regulatory compliance standards at minimum. Always ask for test results and buy from dispensaries and licensed providers.

Shop our safe and trusted selection of inhalants, or check out some of our favorites like Lyte Lavender CBD pre-rolls, dreamt’s 45-night sleep pen (CA), East Fork Cultivar’s Create pre-roll (OR), or Barbari’s Muse herbal blends.

And, finally, you should also consider the condition of your body and lungs. If you have respiratory issues or your immune system is at risk, it’s best not to smoke or inhale anything at all. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, most medical professionals recommend erring on the side of caution and abstaining from cannabis due to lack of conclusive research.

Cannabis may interact with certain pharmaceutical drugs. If you’ve been prescribed blood thinners, blood pressure medication, or any other medications to help manage or treat a cardiac condition, it’s important to speak to your doctor about smoking cannabis and confirm whether there are any potential risks or interactions between cannabis and your prescribed medication.

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