In Summary

​More than a decade ago a systematic review determined that the plausibility of developing lung cancer from smoking cannabis. After filtering through the appropriate research 19 manuscripts were analyzed during the review with the majority of the manuscripts concluding that smoking cannabis is likely to result in the development of premalignant lung changes and lung cancer. It is suggested that physicians who recommend cannabis also advise their patients about the carcinogens in cannabis smoke and the possibility of developing lung cancer, although the author calls for more rigorous studies to validate these suggestions. 
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The risk of lung cancer emphasizes the importance of discussing which method of consumption is appropriate for their needs. Patients should discuss cannabis use with their physicians and should be careful to mind which cannabinoids they aim to use and the method of consumption as both those factors can greatly affect the potency and perceived effects. Topicals are generally non-psychoactive even when they contain THC; vapor is much more efficient than smoking and contains fair less harmful products due to the heating method; edibles and tinctures are two methods of consumption that provide very different effects and can be tailored to each individual. Consume cannabis responsibly and continue reading blogs like this one or other well-researched articles to remain fully aware of current findings.

In Summary

A recent meta-analysis has compiled a list of all known effects of smoking medical cannabis. Smoke is produced when medical cannabis is combusted by a flame, like when users smoke a bowl of flower products. Although fewer carcinogens were found in the smoke produced from cannabis than the smoke produced from cigarettes, those who choose to smoke medical cannabis still put themselves at great risk of developing lung cancer, spontaneous pneumothorax, bullous emphysema, and COPD. The medical benefits like bronchodilation, pain relief, and uplifting feelings are still able to take effect but patients considering smoking cannabis should be made aware of the risks associated with the inhalation of smoke. Other consumption methods such as vaporization, edibles, or topicals pose much less of a health risk to users. 
This article highlights the importance of choosing an appropriate consumption method depending on your ailment. Those suffering from lung cancer or COPD may be less inclined to vaporize their marijuana because of the lung strain, or more inclined to vaporize marijuana to replace a possible cigarette habit. Vaporization occurs at a much lower temperature than combustion, which requires a flame, which provides more efficient delivery of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in a flower product. Each cannabinoid has a specific vaporization temperature that optimizes the benefits of that cannabinoid and many vaporizers have been designed with the ability to heat up to specific temperatures so that patients can get the most out of their product. Users should discuss the best options for their ailment with their physicians and budtenders.

In Summary

A recent analysis has found that cannabis-based therapies may prove useful for those attempting to quit smoking. Billions of dollars are spent every year attempting to treat smoking-related conditions yet mortality rates continue to rise, proving the current treatment methods rather ineffective. Researchers thoroughly examined previous clinical studies in a search for more effective treatments and found that the endocannabinoid system provides an ideal target as it not only reduces the desire to smoke but also minimizes the weight gain most addicts fear. Further research is needed as no specific cannabinoid or cannabis-based medicine has proven to be effective without producing negative side-effects, but the few trials that have been conducted have shown promising results. 
The issue this research aimed to address is the prevalence of smoking-related illnesses, highlighting the inability of the medical community to cease all tobacco use. Despite constant warnings and lessons in school concerning the danger of tobacco use new products like e-cigarettes have been made readily available for consumers and marketed on social media to teenagers who follow celebrities like Sophie Turner, an actress rarely seen without her choice of e-cigarette in hand. The tobacco industry is driven by the economy and, despite its proven deleterious effects on users' health, has yet to be banned on a federal level. Better restrictions need to be put into place to prevent consumers from beginning tobacco use while researchers continue to look for effective treatment methods. 

In Summary

A recent study has found a method to determine acute ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intoxication by analyzing THC concentration in exhaled breath. The more common method of analyzing blood concentration of THC or urinalysis is unable to determine whether THC consumption is acute or chronic as concentrations in blood and urine matrices can remain high long after consumption. By standardizing a method to analyze acute intoxication researchers will be able to determine a legal limit of intoxication for driving or other activities, police officers will be able to better regulate driving under the influence, and hospitals will be able to better treat those who come in with intoxication symptoms. 
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This research highlights the importance of standardizing cannabis-induced intoxication levels. People often drive under the influence of alcohol and are frequently the cause of accidents, but have been legally determined to drive as long as their blood-alcohol level is under 0.08. As cannabis is still under-researched and not recognized as a medically beneficial substance by the federal government the standardization of cannabis-intoxication levels has not been formed. As medical marijuana continues to be legalized at state levels local government should take care to implement methods to judge acute intoxication to better protect citizens and allow patients who need to consume cannabis to live their lives as normally as possible. 

The ban originated on November 12th as a result of a public health crisis declared by Massachusetts Governor and the CDC. The additive Vitamin E Acetate (VEA) was found to be the cause of a multi-state outbreak of E-cigarette and Vaping Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).  Over 1,000 patients reported using a vaping device and then feeling symptoms like chest pains, coughing, and even death. ​