An article on COPDNewsToday.com discusses the possible benefits of medical marijuana for patients with COPD.
Medical marijuana is currently legal in 23 states in the US, as well as Washington, DC, but its use is a contentious issue with as many people for it as against it.
According to the Lung Institute, medical marijuana has been found useful in reducing inflammation, improving sleep, easing pain, supporting the immune system, and reducing phlegm. However, one of the big issues when it comes to using cannabis if you have a pulmonary disease, is smoking.
The American Thoracic Society strongly argues against the smoking of marijuana, citing that it can cause large air sacs (bullae) to form in the lungs which could pop and cause lung collapse, ironically this is more likely to happen to marijuana smokers who are younger rather than older (under 45).
