People who use medical marijuana are more likely to smoke cigarettes

A new study found that patients using medical marijuana were more likely to use nicotine. The research, published this month in the American Journal of Addictions, is one of the first to examine the link between medical marijuana patients and cigarettes, something of concern to health practitioners.

Researchers acknowledged that there has long been a relationship between recreational cannabis use and nicotine use. This makes a lot of sense, as smoking one substance increases the likelihood of others. With this study, the researchers wanted to clarify the case of medical marijuana, especially since these users are said to be using the drug for health reasons.

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The researchers went to a medical marijuana dispensary and interviewed over 600 patients between the ages of 18 and 89 to ask them how they use their cannabis and how they use cannabis and nicotine. They found that around 40% of medical cannabis users were also nicotine users. For reference, approximately 14% of US adults are nicotine users.

“Besides the higher rates of nicotine use among those using medicinal cannabis, the fact that cigarette smokers also choose to smoke cannabis and that these people are also trying to quit nicotine makes a strong case for pharmacies to participate in this Provide tobacco control messages of sale to encourage cigarette smokers to quit,” co-author Marc Steinberg told Rutgers Today. “The strategy could also increase the likelihood that a medicinal cannabis user will vape the product, which is a less harmful route than smoking.”

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Pharmacy warnings and recommendations can be a way of educating the public about the dangers of smoking any substance. While annoying, these suggestions can educate consumers and let them know that smoking is harmful and that there are other methods of consuming cannabis that offer the same benefits aside from the lung damage.

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