Association between Marijuana Exposure and Pulmonary Function over 20 Years

Marijuana and tobacco smoke may contain many similar components, but this study found that occasional small usage of marijuana had no negative effects on a person’s lungs.

“Occasional and low cumulative marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function.”

“Marijuana smoke contains many of the same constituents as tobacco smoke, but it is unclear whether smoking marijuana causes pulmonary damage similar to that caused by tobacco. …

It is possible that cumulative damage to the lungs from years of marijuana use could be masked by short-term effects; prior analyses have not attempted to disentangle these factors. Smoking marijuana is increasingly common in the United States, and understanding whether it causes lasting damage to lung function has important implications for public health messaging and medical use of marijuana.“
