Are Cannabis Edibles Safer Than Smoking? Here’s What Some Experts Say

As cannabis faces an ever-changing legal landscape on the state and federal level in the United States, products made from the plant — considered to be important for medicinal use by a significant number of people over the years — are becoming more widely available in multiple forms and legally. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been mulling over the decision to change how cannabis is scheduled with the agency, too. 

But, these rules seem to largely center around public safety, and with more acceptance of its use, some may be wondering which form of cannabis is considered the safest.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says eating or ingesting edible products that contain THC appears to be less harmful to the user’s lungs than smoking. Oils and concentrates that are used in vaping or dabbing have highly concentrated forms of THC and could contain additives. 

The CDC highlighted a 2019 national outbreak of lung injury that was determined to be associated with vaping. An analysis showed that THC-containing products meant for vaping also had additives, including vitamin E acetate. 

Ryan Vandrey, a psychiatrist who studies cannabis at Johns Hopkins Medicine, told the New York Times, “You can’t black and white say edibles are safer than smoking, or smoking is worse than vaping. There are different risks for the different routes.”

The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) says to read the labels of products carefully, including making sure products are clearly labeled and come from a reputable vendor you can trust. The agency warns that highly concentrated product use can lead to tolerance, and these products likely should not be used more than once per week.

CCSA also cautions to avoid mixing cannabis products with alcohol and other substances to avoid adverse effects. 

Olivia Alexander, the CEO of Kush Queen, says cannabis has become popular with women, some of whom use it to relieve symptoms of a number of medical conditions that cause discomfort. The rise in cannabis use might be attributed to access but also due to its being seen as safer than other substances, like alcohol, in some states. 

A study found that alcohol-related mortality rates have been rising faster in women. A 2016 analysis of World Health Organization data found that the U.S. has one of the smallest gender gaps in alcohol consumption among countries for which data was available.

Alexander promotes the use of cannabis in a variety of forms, including using it in recipes like brownies and products like sugar scrubs. 

CCSA says that when it comes to ingesting cannabis edibles, compounds first travel to your stomach and then to your liver before entering your bloodstream. With smoking or vaping, the THC is delivered to your lungs, where it enters your bloodstream and then your brain. 

Pharmacologist Daniel Barrus told the New York Times there are other factors to consider related to dosage when edibles are involved. His nonprofit, RTI International, looks at the cannabis industry and how users consume products. 

RTI says the biggest difference between ingestion and inhalation of cannabis extracts is the delayed onset of the effects with ingestion. Barrus says it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to feel the effects, and that can mess with dosage for the inexperienced consumer. 

Some users might not feel the effects and then take more, which can lead to symptoms like paranoia. A study published in the ACP Journal found that users of edibles were more likely to end up in emergency rooms. 

The study — which looked at admissions at a large hospital in Colorado — found, though, that overall, more users who smoked ended up in emergency rooms. Researchers said that was likely because more people smoked cannabis than ingested it. 

The CDC says that smoked cannabis, no matter how it is smoked, can harm the tissues of the lungs and cause scarring and damage to the small blood vessels. 

North Carolina Has Yet To Legalize Marijuana In Any Form

On June 6, 2022, the North Carolina Senate passed a  but the House of Representatives did not vote on the legislation before they adjourned for the year. This inaction has N.C. remaining as one of only 11 states that have not approved a medical cannabis program in the U.S. A poll carried out in January 2021 by Elon University found that 73% of North Carolinians supported medical cannabis. A subsequent poll in May 2022 showed that support had increased to 82% across bipartisan lines. These surveys indicate that North Carolinians indeed want a medical cannabis program legislated. 

The bill that passed the N.C. Senate Bill 711 lists the following conditions that could be prescribed medical marijuana:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Crohn’s Disease
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Severe or persistent nausea in a person that is related to end-of-life or hospice care or who is bedridden or homebound due to a condition
• Terminal illness when the patient’s life expectancy is less than six months
• A condition that results in a person receiving hospice care
• Post-traumatic stress disorder subject to evidence that an applicant experienced one or more traumatic events
• Any other serious medical condition or its treatment added by the Compassionate Use Advisory Board, which consists of 13 members that review petitions and have the power to add a new debilitating medical condition

Possession

Fortunately, North Carolina has partially decriminalized marijuana possession of half an ounce or less. This offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor and does not carry a sentence of imprisonment. However, it has a maximum fine of $200. So, in effect, this would apply to a few joints of marijuana.

Possession of half an ounce to an ounce-and-a-half is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum jail sentence of 45 days and a discretionary fine for a first offense of up to $1,000. 

For more information on NC Cannabis laws, click here.