Vaping Marijuana: Is It a Safer Alternative to Smoking?

As marijuana legalization continues to spread globally, vaping has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional smoking methods. While many individuals believe that vaping marijuana is a safer and healthier option, recent studies and warnings from reputable organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest otherwise. In fact, vaping marijuana may pose significant risks to users’ health and could potentially be more dangerous than smoking.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the safety concerns surrounding vaping marijuana, comparing it to smoking, and exploring safer alternatives for consuming cannabis. By examining the latest research, expert opinions, and real-world case studies, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the potential dangers associated with vaping marijuana and be better equipped to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

The Risks of Vaping Marijuana

The CDC warns that vaping of any kind can contribute to lung disease. Even seemingly harmless substances like cannabidiol (CBD) oil, when vaped, have been linked to serious cases of EVALI (electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury)¹.

A 2019 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated vaping-related lung damage in 17 patients, with 71% reporting vaping cannabis oil or marijuana². The lung injuries and illnesses associated with vaping included:

Pneumonia: An infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs, causing cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Alveoli damage: Injury to the small air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged, impairing the lungs’ ability to function properly.

Tragically, two of the cases involving alveoli damage resulted in fatalities, highlighting the severe consequences of vaping-related lung injury.

EVALI: A Potentially Fatal Lung Injury

The risk of lung damage increases significantly if a vape product contains vitamin E acetate, a chemical that was largely blamed for the 2019 outbreak of severe lung disease from vaping³. In just a few months, more than 2,500 people were hospitalized or killed by EVALI, with 82% of them having vaped products containing THC, often along with other vape products. Shockingly, 33% exclusively vaped THC-containing products⁴.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advise against all vaping, especially when it comes to THC oil. Even a single use of legal THC oil vaping products can cause significant harm to the lungs⁵.

Much remains unknown about EVALI, and ongoing research is crucial to better understand this potentially fatal condition. Some chest X-rays of EVALI patients show signs of lung irritation by oily chemicals, which could include both vitamin E acetate and THC oil itself⁶. While vitamin E acetate has been removed from some products, vaping marijuana in general continues to fall under scrutiny due to the lack of long-term safety data and the presence of other harmful ingredients.

The Dangers of Vaping Ingredients

Apart from vitamin E acetate and THC oil, other harmful ingredients found in vaping products include⁷:

Heavy metals from the heating coils: Exposure to metals such as lead, nickel, and chromium can lead to respiratory irritation, lung damage, and even cancer.
Carcinogenic compounds: Substances that have the potential to cause cancer, such as formaldehyde and acrolein, can form when vaping liquids are heated.
Ultrafine particulates: Tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and potentially long-term damage.
Added flavors like diacetyl: A chemical used in many e-cigarette flavors, which has been linked to a serious lung condition called “popcorn lung” when inhaled.

Even vaporizer products purchased from licensed dispensaries may not be entirely safe. It is crucial for consumers to ensure that the products they choose are legal, fully tested, and accompanied by comprehensive lab reports.

The Side Effects and Long-Term Health Risks

Vape products often contain highly concentrated forms of marijuana, with THC levels significantly higher than those found in traditional marijuana products. This increased potency makes vaping more likely to cause adverse side effects and long-term health problems, including⁸:

Addiction: An estimated 30% of marijuana users develop some degree of marijuana use disorder.
Impaired brain function and development: THC can affect brain development, particularly in young people, leading to problems with attention, memory, and learning.
Cancer risk: While more research is needed, some studies suggest that vaping marijuana may increase the risk of lung cancer.
Impaired driving: Marijuana use can slow reaction time, impair coordination, and affect judgment, making it dangerous to drive under the influence.
Heart health issues: Marijuana can raise heart rate and blood pressure, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Mental health problems: Regular marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, especially in those with a predisposition to mental health disorders.

The long-term health effects of vaping marijuana are not yet fully understood, and more research is needed to determine the full extent of the risks. However, the available evidence suggests that vaping marijuana can have serious consequences for users’ physical and mental health, and should not be considered a safe alternative to smoking.

Safer Alternatives for Consuming Marijuana

For individuals who choose to consume marijuana, there are safer alternatives to vaping that can minimize the potential health risks. These include⁹:

Edibles: Cannabis-infused foods and beverages offer a smoke-free alternative, but it is important to start with a low dose and be patient, as the effects can take several hours to manifest.
Sublingual products: Tinctures, mouth sprays, and other products that are absorbed through the mucous membranes under the tongue provide rapid relief without the risks associated with inhalation.
Topicals: Creams, lotions, and balms infused with cannabis can be applied directly to the skin for localized relief of pain, inflammation, and other symptoms, without the potential for lung damage.

By exploring these alternative consumption methods, users can experience the potential benefits of marijuana while minimizing the risks to their respiratory health.

Conclusion

The 2019 EVALI outbreak and ongoing research strongly suggest that vaping marijuana is not a safe alternative to smoking and may, in fact, pose even greater risks to users’ health. The potential dangers associated with vaping marijuana can be attributed, at least in part, to the harmful ingredients found in vape products, such as vitamin E acetate, heavy metals, carcinogenic compounds, and added flavors.

For individuals who choose to consume marijuana, it is crucial to prioritize safety and consider alternative consumption methods, such as edibles, sublingual products, and topicals. By staying informed about the latest research, seeking out reputable sources of information, and making responsible choices, users can minimize the potential risks to their health and well-being.

As the legal landscape surrounding marijuana continues to evolve, it is essential for consumers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the safety concerns associated with vaping marijuana. By working together to promote education, regulation, and harm reduction strategies, we can help to ensure that individuals have access to accurate information and safer alternatives for consuming cannabis.

References:

Boudi, F. B., Patel, S., Boudi, A., & Chan, C. (2019). Vitamin E Acetate as a Plausible Cause of Acute Vaping-related Illness. Cureus, 11(12), e6350. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31938636/ ↩︎
Layden, J. E., Ghinai, I., Pray, I., Kimball, A., Layer, M., Tenforde, M., … & Meiman, J. (2019). Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and Wisconsin – Preliminary Report. The New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1911614 ↩︎
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products. Retrieved from https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html ↩︎
Ibid. ↩︎
Yale Medicine. E-cigarette, or Vaping Product, Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/evali ↩︎
Blount, B. C., Karwowski, M. P., Shields, P. G., Morel-Espinosa, M., Valentin-Blasini, L., Gardner, M., … & Pirkle, J. L. (2020). Vitamin E acetate in bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid associated with EVALI. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(8), 697-705.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31860793/ ↩︎
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/about.html ↩︎
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Marijuana DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana ↩︎
Ibid. ↩︎

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Sophia Bennett

Author at Ecigator

Sophia Bennett has dedicated her career to monitoring and analyzing the regulatory landscape and news within the vape industry. With a keen eye for the evolving policies that shape this dynamic market, Sophia brings a critical perspective to her commentary and reports.

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