Smoking Marijuana and Asthma

Does smoking marijuana increase the likelihood of asthma? A recent study published in the journal Preventive Medicine provides some answers and insights.

With the increasing legalization of adult use and medical cannabis, not to mention a booming illicit marketplace, it’s essential for everyone to understand the benefits and risks of smoking marijuana and any potential links between frequent use and respiratory health. 

Cannabis use and the prevalence of asthma in adolescents and adults

As a result of changing laws, attitudes, and availability, the number of adolescents and adults smoking marijuana continues to increase. With little long-term data available, the purpose of this study was to look back at the frequency of cannabis use in the past 30 days and correlate that information to the prevalence of asthma. Investigators analyzed the dataset gleaned from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a comprehensive annual examination involving nearly 33,000 individuals aged 12 and above across the United States.

Here’s what the study showed:

1. Asthma is more common in adults nationwide who have smoked weed in the past month.
2. With more frequent cannabis use, the likelihood of asthma increases.
3. For people who use the drug 20-30 days per month, the odds of asthma are significantly greater. 

What the future holds

While more research is in order, the above study underscores the need to understand the asthma-related implications of cannabis use and its impact on individual well-being and the larger public health arena. For individuals, managing their asthma and preventing acute episodes from arising in no small part means recognizing and avoiding triggers to prevent exacerbations. 

At the office of North Jersey Pulmonary Associates, we provide the information needed to make well-informed decisions to help our patients breathe easier, maintain better control over their asthma, and improve their quality of life.