A new study concludes that vaporizing marijuana can allow medical users to enjoy the drug's therapeutic benefits while reducing the harm associated with smoking, Reuters reported May 7.

Researcher Mitch Earleywine of the State University of New York and colleagues said that vaporization reduces many of the known respiratory problems associated with smoking marijuana, but still releases the psychoactive ingredients in the drug.

Internet surveys of medical-marijuana users found that 66 percent of those who vaporized the drugs reported no respiratory problems, compared to 56 percent of non-vaporizers.

The study was published in the April 17, 2007 issue of the Harm Reduction Journal.