The edible forms don't work as well for many people, are more difficult to dose (especially with the changing tolerance) and side effects last longer. Cannabis is a “cocktail” of natural drugs that work together. You can't simply isolate THC into pill form and get the same effect.
A better option is vaporizing real cannabis extract but for some people that does not work either. Not all chemicals are extracted and even fewer chemicals are vaporized at the lower temperatures.
Some people only get the medicinal effect from smoking the whole plant since they get all of the chemicals in an inhale-able form. The slight lung damage from smoking is nothing compared to their ailment.
IMO, all options should be available and the choice entirely up to the patient.
“The slight lung damage from smoking “
You’ve never been around dope smokers. I remember my roommates coughing up blood. Of course, they smoked from dawn to bed time.