Smokers everywhere can rejoice (or keep smoking), as a two-decade study has shown that occasional marijuana indulgence doesn't harm your lungs. The study, funded by the National Institute for Drug Abuse and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association lets us know that the same thing that was true forty years ago remains true today.
Data was gathered from over 5,000 subjects of both genders in four U.S. cities who admitted to being regular smokers. Roughly 37% of the participants said they smoked weed regularly, i.e. about 2-3 times per month.
To this day, scientists are still unclear of why marijuana doesn't damage the lungs. In an interview with the Associated Press, Dr. Donald Tashkin explained that THC (the x-factor in cannabis) helped fight inflammation. Therefore, it's possible that THC combats the irritants found in the drug.
An alternative theory is that the deep breaths that smokers take as they inhale is actually an exercise that strengthens lung tissue. With that said, we can't help but wonder how many smokers are working their lungs out as they read this.
Lastly, since it apparently doesn't harm your lungs and half of America thinks it should be legal anyway, the Reeferlutionary Movement will forge on in its quest for legalization of vegetation.
Follow @ComplexGuide for more smoke break worthy news.
333maxwell January 11th, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Wow.. are the photo's that accompany this article yellow journalism at best or what.. they are put there by intent, several, and in a confrontational manner.. yet it has ZERO to do with this story. I'm so tired of the media's personal bias's. Besides, word on the street is the money laundering, drug running DEA is more dangerous to your health than cannabis ever was.
Kenz January 11th, 2012 at 01:38 PM
I'm surprised Complex reported such falsehoods. The study shows that those who smoke 2-3 PER MONTH are likely to have less lung damage than cigarette smoke. NOT per week. If you guys want the unglorified version of the study go here: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/10/study-occasional-pot-smoking-not-as-damaging-as-cigarettes/?hpt=hp_t2 PS - Smoke weed everydaaaay. But just know that it's not without consequence.
DREGstudios January 11th, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Marijuana is the safest drug with actual benefits for the user as opposed to alcohol which is dangerous, causes addiction, birth defects, and affects literally every organ in the body. Groups are organizing all over the country to speak their minds on reforming pot laws. I drew up a very cool poster featuring Uncle Willie Nelson and The Teapot Party for the cause which you can check out on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html Drop in and let me know what you think!