Inhaling cannabis smoke or consuming edible cannabis products can have varying effects on the body in terms of safety and intensity. With the evolving legal landscape surrounding cannabis in the United States and its increasing availability, many individuals are questioning which form of cannabis consumption is safer.

According to the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), eating or ingesting edible products containing THC appears to be less harmful to the lungs compared to smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns about concentrated forms of THC found in oils and concentrates used for vaping or dabbing. Such products could contain additives, including vitamin E acetate, which were associated with a nationwide outbreak of lung injury in 2019.

Ryan Vandrey, a psychiatrist from Johns Hopkins Medicine, acknowledges that it is not a clear-cut answer to determine whether edibles are safer than smoking or if vaping is worse than smoking. Different routes of consumption carry different risks.

The CCSA advises individuals to carefully read labels and purchase products from reputable vendors. They also caution against the excessive use of highly concentrated cannabis products, recommending that they should not be used more than once per week. Mixing cannabis with alcohol or other substances is discouraged due to potential adverse effects.

Olivia Alexander, CEO of Kush Queen, emphasizes the popularity of cannabis consumption among women, particularly for relieving discomfort caused by various medical conditions. Some see cannabis as a safer alternative to alcohol, especially as alcohol-related mortality rates are rising faster in women.

When it comes to cannabis edibles, compounds travel through the stomach and liver before entering the bloodstream. On the other hand, smoking or vaping delivers THC directly to the lungs and then into the bloodstream and brain. Pharmacologist Daniel Barrus points out the delayed onset of effects with edibles, ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, which can complicate dosage for inexperienced users. Taking more edibles while waiting for effects to kick in can lead to symptoms like paranoia, as per a study published in the ACP Journal.

Although the study discovered a higher prevalence of emergency room admissions for edibles users compared to smokers, the overall number of smokers being admitted was higher due to the larger number of individuals smoking cannabis.

The CDC emphasizes the harm that smoking cannabis can cause to lung tissue and small blood vessels, regardless of the method used.

As the debate surrounding the safety of cannabis consumption continues, experts stress the importance of understanding the risks associated with each route of consumption and making informed choices when using cannabis products.