Currently, there are more than 1.7 million cases confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally with the United States accounting for more than 500,000 of these cases. For now, experts have pinpointed various underlying conditions that put Americans at risk of severe infections from the pandemic. Most of the conditions are linked to obesity.

But, the American Lung Association has come up with new guidance, suggesting that smoking marijuana may make coronavirus complications more severe. Pulmonologist Albert Rizzo, MD who is also chief medical officer for the American Lung Association on April 9, commented:

“What happens to your airways when you smoke cannabis is that it causes some degree of inflammation, very similar to bronchitis, very similar to the type of inflammation that cigarette smoking can cause. Now you have some airway inflammation, and you get an infection on top of it. So, yes, your chance of getting more complications is there.”

Even occasional smoking marijuana can put an individual at higher risk of severe infection from COVID-19, according to the American Lung Association. The communications manager at the Marijuana Policy Project, a nonprofit dedicated to marijuana reform, Violet Cavendish, told reporters:

“Health experts have advised that smoking anything has the potential to increase the severity of the respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19. Medical marijuana patients and adult consumers who might have or contract the virus should consider using non-smoked products that do not impact lung function such as edibles, pills, tinctures, and salves.”

According to the current data, most people report moderate to mild symptoms from the new coronavirus and will eventually make a full recovery. But, in rare cases, this infection may turn fatal, resulting in severe cases of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that is filling lungs with fluid.

Experts speak

One factor that is driving these severe infections is inflammation in the lungs that may arise from smoking. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana smoke is an ‘irritant’ to the lungs:

“Smoking marijuana is associated with large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation, and those who smoke marijuana regularly report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who do not smoke. One study found that people who frequently smoke marijuana had more outpatient medical visits for respiratory problems than those who do not smoke.”

NIDA states that smoking marijuana causes more inflammation than tobacco since it is deeply inhaled. With the drug legal recreationally in at least 11 states in the US, including the District of Columbia, and medically in 33 states, using cannabis has become more acceptable nationwide.

Even though studies suggest that the shift in legalization has not drastically increased use in the past five years, many adults now smoke according to a July 2019 Gallup poll. Based on the survey, 12% of Americans over 18 years old smoke marijuana. 15% of the men smoke compared to 9% of women.

The industry is booming

Smoking is becoming rampant in the East, Midwest, and West of the United States, where 13%-16% of the adults smoke. With stay-at-home orders issued around the country, the marijuana industry is experiencing a boom. In March 2020, cannabis sales surged to a record-breaking $84.5 million in Oregon, over $20 million than sales in March 2019.

Both Colorado and California experienced a spike in sales last month, an increase they have linked to the coronavirus. Due to the jump, and the possibility for increased risk among cannabis smokers, nonprofit marijuana organization, NORML, is urging users to stay safe. (NORML is National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). The organization wrote in an op-ed published in The Hill:

“Because COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, consumers, and in particular, those patients who may be susceptible to greater health risks, should either limit or altogether avoid their exposure to combustive smoke of any kind.”

They advised:

“Alternative delivery devices, such as vaporizer heating devices can significantly mitigate combustive smoke exposure, and of course, the use of edibles or tinctures can eliminate smoke exposure.”

Safety first

Marijuana Policy Projecturges local leaders to make sure that the cannabis users are using only the safe products, particularly within the jurisdictions where it is not yet legal:

“States that have not legalized medical marijuana or adult-use marijuana sales should take that action to ensure the availability and safety of non-smoked marijuana products.”

NORML cautions that users must avoid falling victim to fake claims that cannabis can cure COVID-19:

“We also encourage cannabis consumers and others to beware of online misinformation surrounding the use of either whole-plant cannabis or CBD as a potential remedy for the COVID-19 virus.”

For clarity purposes, NORML said that there is no proven “clinical data supporting either the prophylactic or therapeutic use of cannabis products in the treatment of COVID-19.” Thus, they refuted claims that marijuana can cure COVID-19.