Vaping marijuana is often touted as safer than smoking it. That’s because vaporizers heat—but don’t burn—herb, oil, or wax forms of marijuana inhaled through the device. However, vaping marijuana isn’t safe in general, and in some ways, it may be more dangerous than smoking weed.

Both smoking and vaping marijuana generally have been considered safer than smoking cigarettes, and safer than vaping with nicotine products that may introduce new health hazards rather than reducing all harm.1 Some people prefer to vape marijuana due to the milder smell, ease of use, and affordability, but vaping marijuana may not be "safer."2 Martin-dm / Getty Images Is Vaping Marijuana Safe?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that vaping of any kind can cause or contribute to lung disease.3 Serious cases of EVALI (electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) have been linked to vaping cannabidiol (CBD) oil .

CBD products are largely unregulated, so it’s possible that the oils contain dangerous substances.

There are studies to suggest that in some ways (lower carbon monoxide risk, for example) vaping may be safer than smoking.4 With what’s known about it right now, though, experts say it isn’t safe—or even safer— to vape marijuana.

For example, a small 2019 study focused on vaping-related lung damage in 17 people, among whom 71% were vaping cannabis oil or marijuana. Lung injury and illness associated with vaping included:5 Pneumonia

Bronchiolitis

Damage to the alveoli (small air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged)

Two of the cases involving damage to the alveoli proved fatal. EVALI: Potentially Fatal Lung Injury The risk of damage increases significantly if your vape product contains a chemical called vitamin E acetate. In 2019, an outbreak of severe lung disease from vaping was largely blamed on this vitamin.6In the first few months, more than 2,500 people were hospitalized or killed by EVALI. Among those people:7 82% had vaped products that contained THC, often along with other vape products. 33% exclusively vaped THC-containing products. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend against all vaping but especially recommend not […]

Safety of Vaping Marijuana vs. Smoking