NEW YORK (Reuters Health) — Users of marijuana (also called cannabis) who vaporise the drug have fewer lung symptoms than those who smoke it, researchers report.Based on his research, Dr. Mitch Earleywine said: “The argument that the medical use of cannabis is inappropriate because of its potential to create (lung) problems is now clearly invalid. Regular users of joints, blunts, pipes, and water pipes might decrease respiratory symptoms by switching to a vaporiser.”

Earleywine, of the State University of New York, Albany and colleagues note that marijuana smoking can lead to respiratory trouble. However, vaporisers heat cannabis to release the psychoactive ingredients, but remain cool enough to avoid the smoke and toxins associated with combustion.

To investigate what impact this might have, the researchers examined Internet survey responses from people who had used marijuana in the previous month. Respondents who had cystic fibrosis or asthma or reported oral ingestion as their primary means of cannabis use were excluded, as were those who had inhaled other drugs.