The use of weed to replace alcohol is a growing trend in the United States. “We know that moderate alcohol consumption has health risks, and risk increases as alcohol consumption increases,” Boyd said in an email. “Cannabis smoke contains toxins, carcinogens, and particulate matter that have been linked to cancer, lung damage, and cardiovascular disease,” Cohen said in an email. Research on edibles, such as baked goods, candies and beverages, and other methods of using cannabis is in its infancy. “In and of itself, it’s not good that more people are using cannabis,” Grinspoon said.

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Persons: CNN —, “, —, ”, “ I’ve, Carol Boyd, ” Boyd, Weed, Peter Grinspoon, ” “, ” Grinspoon, Beth Cohen, ” Cohen, I’m, Boyd, ” Robert Page II, Grinspoon, ideation, it’s Organizations: CNN, National Survey, Center, Drugs, University of Michigan, US Centers for Disease Control, Massachusetts General Hospital, Marijuana, University of California, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug, Food and Drug Administration, National Poison Center, FDA, Lifeline Locations: United States, Washington, Ann Arbor, Boston, San Francisco, Aurora, Georgia