Protecting Nonsmokers From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke

Many states have now legalized marijuana/cannabis not only for medical use, but also for adult use (39 states plus Washington DC). To state the obvious, there are key differences between decriminalization and/or providing safe medical access vs the realities of multi-billion dollar mass commercialization increasingly backed by tobacco companies, retailer networks, and their allies.

A commercial industry for marijuana consumption has been created in the U.S., and it has one overriding goal: to normalize marijuana use, including smoking and vaping, everywhere and to have it regulated “just like alcohol.” Lawmakers often view marijuana regulation through a lens of revenue growth vs health. Tobacco and marijuana retailers frame expansion as ways to fight black market sales, support small businesses, and to grow revenue.   

Following the early wave of independent marijuana dispensaries, there is a glut of supply and collapsing prices in states like California, making it harder for these venues to compete against unlicensed sellers and cheap mass market retailers like convenience stores.

Following the early wave of independent marijuana dispensaries, there is a glut of supply and collapsing prices in states like California, making it harder for these venues to compete against unlicensed sellers and cheap mass market retailers like convenience stores. Expanding where people can smoke and vape marijuana by weakening smokefree air protections is promoted by the marijuana industry as a necessary way to promote economic interests while dismissing the public health imperative to ensure that workers and the public can breathe safe, healthy, smokefree indoor air.

The 2024 Surgeon General’s Report, “Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities,” addresses exposure to cannabis secondhand smoke and states: “As states and communities consider whether use of cannabis in public places should be permitted, protecting all populations from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, including exposure to cannabis smoke, in all indoor settings should remain a priority.

Big Tobacco in the Mix

Tobacco giants Altria and Reynolds American together with convenience store retailer networks have invested billions into the marijuana industry and actively support legalization. They have been trying to position themselves as legitimate stakeholders for developing the policies that will regulate their marijuana products and profits. The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) is the tobacco industry’s effort to support marijuana legalization and to target lawmakers. 

As the trend toward normalizing public smoking of marijuana grows, we need to be aware that more laws will be proposed to weaken smokefree protections at the state and local level to allow for broader use of smoking marijuana in public places and workplaces. Today’s marijuana industry is starting to look and act more like the tobacco industry – a commercial enterprise seeking to maximize sales, profits, and product consumption, and backed by marketing campaigns, lobbyists, and lawyers to shape regulation.  At the same time, tobacco is starting to look a little more like marijuana – seeking to dovetail on any opportunity to renormalize smoking in social environments, like bars, and pushing to allow for indoor use of e-cigarettes and “vape pens” that can be used to consume both tobacco and marijuana products.   

As the marijuana/cannabis industry grows and is legalized, public health professionals are adapting to what this entails for their smokefree laws and policies, such as an increase in marijuana smoking and exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke. Regardless of the debate of possible benefits of marijuana products, there is simply no need to use them inside shared air spaces (such as workplaces, public places, colleges, and multi-unit housing) where others are then subject to the hazardous secondhand smoke. Just like traditional cigarettes, marijuana should be used in ways that don’t impact the health of others.

Be Prepared! 

Nobody should have to breathe secondhand marijuana smoke at work or where they live, learn, shop, or play. Smoke is smoke, and marijuana smoke is a form of indoor air pollution.