Is Vaping Marijuana Dangerous?  

Vaping marijuana has become a common way to intake cannabis products, especially amongst the younger demographic. Research shows young adults between the ages of 18-24 make up a great number of marijuana users. In fact, while vapes are popular for weed and e-cigarettes, people 18-24 are most likely to only vape marijuana products. Further, vaping marijuana is one of their preferred methods to consume weed. With the rise of vape popularity, there have been differing opinions on the safety of vape devices. Along with traditional methods of smoking or ingesting weed, people can also inhale marijuana through a vape. Some people believe vapes are safer than smoking weed through a blunt. Is vaping marijuana safer or more dangerous? Is there any safe way to use weed? Let’s answer these questions below.

What Does Vaping Marijuana Mean?

Vaping cannabis is one way to intake weed into your system. As mentioned, it is a popular method for many people, especially those in the young adult demographic. Vaping weed means inhaling marijuana through a vape device. These are small handheld devices that have a mouthpiece and a vape cartridge containing a liquid form of marijuana. Each vaping device is loaded with cannabis oil or essence and an atomizer that heats the liquid to create smoke. When an individual inhales from their vape, marijuana goes directly into their lungs, which is more direct than smoking weed. Notably, a vape will make a person feel the results of marijuana in the system quickly—within minutes.

How Else Is Marijuana Used?

As mentioned, vaping marijuana is a popular method, but it’s not the only way to intake this substance. Marijuana can be ingested (such as edibles like gummies), smoked (such as a blunt), or inhaled through a vape or bong.

Marijuana is a form of cannabis, a natural substance that uses all parts of the cannabis sativa plant. Different pieces of the plant have different properties. Not all cannabis products can produce a high. Markedly, it depends on the ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is psychoactive. Marijuana, also called weed, is made of buds or flowers. Marijuana contains the psychoactive ingredient THC, so it can produce a high, whether vaped, smoked, or ingested. For this reason, there are certain restrictions placed on marijuana use in the United States.

Is Vaping Marijuana Legal?  

Marijuana’s legal status varies in the United States according to the state. As noted, cannabis products include marijuana (with the psychoactive ingredient THC) as well as non-mind-altering cannabis products. Non-THC products, like hemp, can be found in oils, beauty products, foods, and capsules. The legality of hemp products also varies per state. Currently, 24 states allow recreational marijuana use. Further, in some states marijuana is fully legal, in others only medical CBD is allowed, and in some states cannabis is fully illegal. In Washington state, cannabis is fully legal and decriminalized. While marijuana’s legal status doesn’t deter people from developing marijuana addiction, when it’s fully legal, it’s easier to develop cannabis dependency.

Is Vaping Weed Better Than Smoking?

It is a popular belief amongst vape users that vaping marijuana is safer than smoking it. Since studies show it’s generally safer to vape e-cigarettes rather than smoke tobacco products, does the same apply to vaping marijuana vs smoking it? Unfortunately, there is no safer aspect to marijuana vaping than smoking. Either way, you are still taking weed into your system. In fact, studies are looking into whether vaping could actually present additional dangers. For one thing, vapes may expose users to additional toxins or chemicals along with their marijuana. For another, since weed goes directly into the lungs, vaping has been linked to lung damage. Black market vape cartridges are not regulated and can be the cause of lung damage. These illegal cartridges sometimes contain contaminated THC, pesticides, or no CBD at all. Additionally, vaping can produce faster effects, which could lead to quicker development of addiction.

Health Risks of Vaping

Along with the risk of lung damage or poisoning, there are other health risks of vaping weed. These include short-term poor health effects and symptoms of withdrawal. Notably, once you are dependent on marijuana, you will have to keep taking more in order to fend off withdrawal. Additionally, all risks of weed use can turn into long-term, serious issues.

Short-Term Risk of Vaping

The short-term risks of vaping take place early on in the process of marijuana use. They can include physical and mental side effects of using the drug and symptoms of withdrawal. If you regularly vape weed, you may develop the following issues:

• Nausea
• Tremors
• Changes in appetite
• Cravings
• Mood swings
• Inability to stop using weed

Long-Term Risks of Vaping

The longer you use marijuana, the greater your chance of developing addiction. Further, the greater your risk of developing any of the health concerns that come from long-term use. These can include:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Memory problems
• Poor attention
• Lowered mental cognition
• Lung damage

Vaping THC side effects are serious and often require medical treatment. Along with the health risks that come from marijuana use, you can also experience symptoms of addiction if you develop a dependency on weed.

Can Someone Get Addicted to Vaping Marijuana?

People sometimes wonder, can you get addicted to vaping marijuana? The answer is yes. Weed can be habit-forming and lead to a complex substance use disorder (SUD). Chronic marijuana use is most likely to turn into a cannabis use disorder (CUD), which is the most severe form of addiction to the substance. If you follow unhealthy marijuana use patterns, like daily use or smoking in large quantities, it can develop into CUD. At this point, the best treatment is with a substance abuse counselor at a professional treatment center.

Find Help for Marijuana Use

Vaping marijuana, while often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, can carry serious health risks, including vaping-associated lung injury and other acute adverse effects. When cannabis is vaporized—whether as a dry herb, THC oil, or other cannabis extracts—harmful chemicals can still be inhaled, potentially leading to severe lung injuries, lung disease, or possibly lung cancer. 

Although medical marijuana has legitimate uses, the mode of consumption matters; products like dab pens, vape pens, and electronic cigarettes may expose users to substances linked to vaping illness. The risks of vaping marijuana increase when used frequently or by youth—if your child is vaping, it’s crucial to understand the negative effects on lung health, digestive health, and overall well-being. Both nicotine vaping and cannabis vaping products have been linked to increased risks of addiction, prompting many in addiction treatment and sober living communities to warn against their use.

If you are addicted to vaping marijuana, you’re certainly not alone. People often become hooked on weed after using it recreationally or casually, which develops into dependence. We can treat your marijuana addiction at our substance abuse counseling center, Spokane Heights. We offer comprehensive care that works through continuing treatment levels to help individuals understand their issues. Through detoxification, inpatient and outpatient care, and aftercare, we support our guests to best prepare them for the future.

Understandably, admitting you need help is the first step, but it is also sometimes the hardest. Once you’ve acknowledged your need for support, you want to ensure you choose the right rehab center nearby. We would love to welcome you to Spokane Heights, where we offer marijuana detox and healing. Additionally, if paying for rehab is a concern, we can verify your insurance to help you use your policy coverage. Vaping cannabis isn’t risk-free and can lead to all kinds of life-altering issues. We can help you find relief from your addiction, so reach out today.