Is Vaping Marijuana Safe?

June 11, 2024

Delve into the truth about vaping marijuana. Is it safe? Explore health effects, risks, and FDA regulations.

Understanding Vaping Marijuana

As the question 'is vaping marijuana safe?' continues to stir debate, it's crucial to understand the process of vaping and its potential effects.

Vaping vs. Smoking Marijuana

Vaping marijuana has been commonly perceived as safer than smoking it because vaporizers heat, but don't burn, the marijuana. This process creates an aerosol instead of hot, harsh smoke, which can feel smoother on the lungs.

However, this doesn't imply that vaping is safer. In fact, vaping marijuana may be more dangerous than smoking marijuana or using e-cigarettes, especially among adolescents. A study by Paediatrics & Child Health also highlights that cannabis vaping has been associated with increased amounts of cannabis consumed when compared with other modes of consumption.

Risks Associated with Vaping

Vaping of any kind can cause or contribute to lung disease. There have been serious cases of lung injury linked to vaping CBD oil.

Moreover, cannabis vaping is now reported by one-third of youth who vape. It has been associated with several cases of acute lung injury and often involves high-potency forms of cannabis, exposing youth to several acute and long-term health risks.

Also, cannabis vaping has been associated with severe respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, and weight loss. A specific causal agent has not yet been identified, however, more than three-quarters of individuals diagnosed with EVALI reported vaping THC products, many of which were purchased from the black market.

It's important to note that safer ways to consume marijuana include edibles, sublingual products, and suppositories. Given the potential risks associated with vaping, it's crucial for individuals to make informed decisions about their marijuana use.

Health Effects of Vaping

While vaping marijuana may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, it is essential to understand the potential health effects associated with this practice. Specifically, vaping can lead to lung injuries and carries risks associated with inhaling substances like vitamin E acetate.

Lung Injuries from Vaping

Vaping, regardless of substance, can cause or contribute to lung disease. Serious cases of lung injury have been linked to vaping CBD oil [1]. Furthermore, vaping THC oil could be quite harmful to lung health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant number of lung injury cases (EVALI) caused by vaping. As of December 27, 2019, nearly 2,561 cases of EVALI had been reported in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, leading to 55 deaths.

Additionally, cannabis vaping has been associated with severe respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and constitutional symptoms such as fever, chills, and weight loss. A specific causal agent has not yet been identified, however, more than three-quarters of individuals diagnosed with EVALI reported vaping THC products, many of which were purchased from the black market.

Risks of Inhaling Vitamin E Acetate

One of the primary concerns with vaping marijuana is the inhalation of vitamin E acetate, a substance often found in vaping products. Inhaling vitamin E acetate can cause significant harm to lung health, with severe effects leading to lung injury (EVALI).

Substance	Risks
Vitamin E Acetate	Lung injury (EVALI)
THC Oil	Lung disease

The CDC reported nearly 2,561 cases of EVALI caused by inhalation of vitamin E acetate, leading to 55 deaths as of December 27, 2019.

In conclusion, while vaping marijuana may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, it is not without its risks. Both lung injuries from vaping and the risks associated with inhaling substances like vitamin E acetate highlight the need for further research and increased awareness about the safety of vaping marijuana.

FDA Regulations on Cannabis

Understanding the FDA regulations on cannabis can provide a clearer perspective on the safety of vaping marijuana. These regulations outline the approved uses of cannabis and highlight the risks associated with unregulated products.

FDA-Approved Cannabis Products

While there is an ongoing debate about the safety and efficacy of cannabis, the FDA has approved only a handful of cannabis-derived and cannabis-related products. One of these is Epidiolex, which contains a purified form of the drug substance CBD, for the treatment of seizures associated with certain syndromes [4]. These approved cannabis products are only available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

FDA-Approved Cannabis Products	Purpose
Epidiolex (cannabis-derived)	Treatment of seizures associated with certain syndromes
Three other cannabis-related drugs	Varies

It's important to note that the FDA has not approved any other cannabis products for the treatment of any disease or condition.

Illegal Sale of CBD Products

Despite the limited number of FDA-approved cannabis products, there is a growing market for CBD products, many of which are sold illegally. The FDA has sent warning letters to companies illegally selling CBD products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases.

The sale of unapproved CBD products with therapeutic claims is a violation of the law. Consumers should be wary of such products, as they have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and efficacy. The use of these products could pose significant health risks.

In conclusion, while certain cannabis-related products have been approved by the FDA for specific medical conditions, the unauthorized sale and use of CBD products remains a significant concern. As the safety of vaping marijuana continues to be evaluated, consumers should remain informed about the potential risks and legal implications.

Risks of Cannabis Consumption

As the debate over the safety of vaping marijuana continues, it's essential to consider the potential risks associated with cannabis consumption, particularly concerning lung health and respiratory complications.

Impact on Lung Health

Cannabis consumption, whether through smoking or vaping, can have significant impacts on lung health. Research from the American Lung Association shows that smoking marijuana can lead to chronic bronchitis and damage the cell linings of the large airways. These injuries can result in symptoms such as chronic cough, phlegm production, wheeze, and acute bronchitis.

Moreover, it's worth noting that vaping marijuana may not be safer than smoking it. Despite the common belief that vaping is safer because vaporizers heat but don't burn the marijuana, it may in fact be more dangerous than smoking marijuana [1]. Vaping of any kind can contribute to lung disease, and severe cases of lung injury have been linked to vaping CBD oil.

Association with Respiratory Complications

In addition to the impact on lung health, cannabis consumption is also associated with various respiratory complications. For example, smoking marijuana has been linked to cases of air pockets in between both lungs and between the lungs and the chest wall, as well as large air bubbles in the lungs among young to middle-aged adults, mostly heavy smokers of marijuana.

Furthermore, smoking marijuana hurts the lungs' first line of defense against infection by killing cells that help remove dust and germs. It also leads to the formation of more mucus and suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of respiratory infections.

According to research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, cannabis smoking is associated with symptoms of cough, sputum, chronic bronchitis, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can also cause airway inflammation, damage to small and large airways, and the development of COPD and emphysema [6].

Additionally, the same research indicates that cannabis smoking can trigger an increase in the risk of myocardial infarction, particularly in older patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.

In conclusion, while the debate on 'is vaping marijuana safe?' continues, it is clear that both smoking and vaping pose significant risks to lung health and can lead to serious respiratory complications. Therefore, it's crucial to consider these potential risks before choosing to consume cannabis in any form.

Comparing Smoking and Vaping

When discussing the effects of marijuana use, one inevitably comes to the comparison between smoking and vaping. Both methods have unique impacts on the user's health and bring with them a variety of risks.

Lung Damage from Smoking

Numerous studies have shown that smoking marijuana can cause significant damage to the lungs. Chronic bronchitis, injury to the cell linings of the large airways, chronic cough, phlegm production, wheeze, and acute bronchitis are all potential consequences of smoking marijuana.

Further, smoking marijuana has been linked to cases of air pockets in between both lungs and between the lungs and the chest wall, as well as large air bubbles in the lungs among young to middle-aged adults who are heavy smokers of marijuana.

Moreover, smoking marijuana can hurt the lungs' first line of defense against infection by killing cells that help remove dust and germs, causing more mucus to be formed, and suppressing the immune system. The risk of respiratory and opportunistic infections, as well as the risk of acquiring or transmitting viral infections among those who are HIV positive, may also increase with marijuana smoking.

Strength of Effects between Smoking and Vaping

While vaping marijuana is believed to be safer than smoking because it doesn't involve inhaling smoke, the negative health effects of vaping are still largely unknown. That being said, researchers have found that the effects of vaping marijuana can be much stronger than those of smoking.

This is particularly true for first-time or infrequent users, who may experience adverse reactions due to the enhanced delivery of THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. This suggests that while vaping may be less harmful to the lungs than smoking, it can still pose significant risks, particularly for users who are not accustomed to the intensified effects.

As the debate around 'is vaping marijuana safe?' continues, it's important to keep in mind that both vaping and smoking come with potential risks. Regardless of the method of consumption, marijuana use can have significant impacts on your health, particularly when used frequently or in large amounts.

Safety Considerations for Cannabis Use

While the question "is vaping marijuana safe?" doesn't have a clear-cut answer, there are certain safety considerations that users can take into account. These include choosing safer administration methods and understanding the importance of dose control.

Safer Administration Methods

Though vaping marijuana is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, it is not without risks. Given the potential health effects on the lungs, the safest administration of cannabis is orally [6].

Alternative safer ways to consume marijuana include edibles, sublingual products, and suppositories, which bypass the respiratory system entirely.

The American Lung Association encourages further research into the health effects of marijuana use. For those considering marijuana for medicinal purposes, they recommend making this decision in consultation with a healthcare professional and considering administration methods other than smoking or vaping.

Importance of Dose Control

When it comes to vaping marijuana, dosage control is of paramount importance. In fact, vaping cannabis can deliver a more potent dose of THC compared to smoking, which can lead to adverse reactions in infrequent users.

Adverse reactions can include anxiety, paranoia, memory loss, and distraction. These reactions can be more pronounced in vaping due to the higher concentration of THC delivered, especially in those who do not regularly consume cannabis.

Administration Method	THC Delivery Speed	Potential Adverse Reactions
Smoking	Moderate	Anxiety, memory loss
Vaping	Fast	Anxiety, paranoia, memory loss, distraction

Figure courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine

Given these considerations, it's crucial for users to carefully monitor their dosage and be aware of the potential risks associated with vaping marijuana. Maintaining open communication with healthcare providers and staying informed about the latest research on marijuana use can also contribute to making safer decisions about cannabis consumption.