Is marijuana smoke as bad as tobacco?

Posted by fauxpause @fauxpause, Nov 24 5:35pm

My husband has been diagnosed with COPD caused by working at the Nuclear test site in Nevada. The only time he ever smoked tobacco was when he was giving up marijuana 30 years ago. he soon gave up tobacco, too. For the past 15 years he has been dealing with stenosis, disc degeneration and nerve pain. A year or two ago he started smoking pot again for the nerve pain and it does bring some relief. The pain pills he takes are not enough. He didn't tell his pulmonologist. I don't know why. I'm worried about it because he's vaping the flavored stuff. In the old days many people thought pot was not harmful to the lungs, but I have heard it is and wonder if anyone has thoughts on this.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 25 9:18am

@fauxpause
There are three concerns here.
It was thought early on that vaping was "safer than smoking"
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-does-vaping-do-to-your-lungs
Second, the "flavoring" is an unregulated irritant being ingested into already damaged lungs.

Finally, if he is buying in a vape shop as opposed to a regulated dispensary, and using the vape "at will" he doesn't really know how much THC he is getting

If he needs THC to enhance pain control, there are other ways to do it - gummies and other injestables.

kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | Nov 25 9:26am

Of course the vaping is an added irritant to his lungs!!!!!! Have him get a consult for a pain management physician and/or tell his Pulmo that his pain is uncontrolled.