What are the effects of inhaling burned plant material on the lungs?
Whenever plant matter is burned, smoke is released, and with it potentially harmful particles. However, the largest population-based case-controlled study ever conducted of cannabis-only use yielded somewhat counter-intuitive results. For the 2,252 people observed in a Los Angeles, California, study, smoking (only) cannabis was found to be mildly lung-protective and was not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
Cannabis oil produces therapeutic effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a serious lung disorder) and asthma. (See also the section on Lung Diseases in Chapter IV.) To minimize any potential risk of negative consequences to one’s lungs, some people use vaporizers to inhale cannabis rather than smoking cannabis wrapped in paper. Use of a vaporizer eliminates the inhalation of carbon compounds from burned paper. An infused oil or alcohol-based tincture can also be used to address symptoms related to lung disease.
