The Sensible Cannabis Consumer – To smoke or not to smoke?

So as the cannabis movement gain global successes, we as a community need to take a look at the way that we are taking our medicine. Technology, the ever evolving ‘thing’ that it is, now allows us to be ever more health conscious and to consume cannabis in a much cleaner way.

The Truth

Cannabis does not cause cancer but carbon-containing, super-hot burning material can. Think of it this way, Broccoli when treated with respect, is a wonderful thing. Dried and smoked through an 18 inch bong everyday however, it would presumably be just as bad. In Germany, burnt food (which is extremely high in carbon) is illegal to sell.

We, the cannabis community, should not need to be told not to smoke cannabis. But as the worlds-eye is being opened to this life changing plant we must be as knowledgeable, responsible and respectful as we can. “Think of the children!”

Releasing the good stuff, the clean way.

Cannabis has been proven to relax and dilate the airway (check Dr Donalds Taskins studies, of which there are plenty). For those of you who suffer from Asthma I guess you would know that smoking makes things worse and can trigger an attack. Well vaporising cannabis doesn’t produce smoke. Instead of blasting a flame on the bud a vape will gently tickle it to the right temperature. Just enough heat to release the active cannabinoids but not so hot that any material will combust. Place your mouth on the mouthpiece, press “the button”, inhale and enjoy. What you breathe out feels more like water vapour and that is because… well, it pretty much is.

Take a step back as the cannabinoid vapour relaxes your airway.

Understand the science

Dr Donald P. Tashkin, Professor of medicine and medical director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory at the David Geffen School of medicine at University of California, published a paper in a journal for Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Here is what the paper outlined:

Dr. Tashkin found that regular smoking of marijuana by itself causes visible and microscopic injury to the large airways that is consistently associated with an increased likelihood of symptoms of chronic bronchitis that subside after cessation of use. He also found that the evidence does not indicate that habitual use of marijuana leads to significant abnormalities in lung function when assessed either cross-sectionally or longitudinally, except for possible increases in lung volumes and modest increases in airway resistance of unclear clinical significance.

The author finds no clear link between marijuana use and the development of COPD or lower respiratory tract infections. In addition, as Dr Tashkin notes, “findings from a limited number of well-designed epidemiological studies do not suggest an increased risk for the development of either lung or upper airway cancer from light or moderate use, although evidence is mixed concerning possible carcinogenic risks of heavy, long-term use. In summary, the accumulated weight of evidence implies far lower risks for pulmonary complications of even regular heavy use of marijuana compared to the grave pulmonary consequences of tobacco.”

So, now you have the guidance and the facts to make your own decision regarding how you consume your cannabis. As the cannabis scene evolves even further, expect to see vaporising lounges in the UK.

Yours –

The Sensible Cannabis Consumer