April 20th, known globally as 420 or ‘Weed Day’, is a date marked by cannabis enthusiasts celebrating their fondness for marijuana. Yet, amidst the smoke-filled jubilations, health experts are raising alarms about the potential hazards associated with cannabis consumption, particularly through smoking or vaping.

The Health Hazards of Marijuana Smoke

Dr. Beth Cohen, a respected professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, highlights the significant health risks posed by burning marijuana. The process releases toxic compounds, carcinogens, and particulate matter, potentially more harmful than tobacco smoke due to the practice of holding smoke in the lungs longer to enhance the high.

The discussion extends to the dangers of secondhand marijuana smoke, with Robert Page II, a clinical pharmacy and physical medicine professor at the University of Colorado, emphasising its comparability in danger to direct smoke. Cannabis’s impacts on the central nervous system and potential for cardiovascular side effects, including an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious conditions, are of particular concern.

Debunking Myths and Addressing the Broad Impacts of Cannabis Use

Contrary to popular belief amongst American adults that marijuana smoke is safer than tobacco, especially around children, experts sternly disagree. Exposure to marijuana smoke in enclosed spaces has been shown to lead to detectable levels of cannabis in urine and physical effects akin to those experienced by actual users, including an elevated heart rate and the sensation of being ‘high’.

The repercussions of marijuana use are not limited to lung damage. Research indicates increased levels of smoke-related toxins in the bloodstream of cannabis users, associated with a myriad of health issues ranging from liver and neurological damage to cancer. Furthermore, marijuana’s rising potency is contributing to a global increase in addiction and use disorder, alongside heightened health risks.

Vulnerable Populations and the Call for Comprehensive Research

Pregnancy and adolescence represent periods of heightened vulnerability to the adverse effects of marijuana. Usage during pregnancy is linked to complications like low birth weight and premature births, while adolescent consumption can severely impact brain development, leading to mental disorders and an increased propensity for self-harm and suicide attempts.

While vaping marijuana is tied to a perilous lung disease known as EVALI, the plant does offer medicinal benefits, including seizure reduction in epilepsy and relief for multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, chronic pain, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the lack of comprehensive research on the benefits and harms of marijuana, particularly concerning edibles and non-smoking options, remains a significant gap in knowledge.

Despite the historical focus on marijuana’s negative impacts, driven by regulatory and funding limitations, the legalisation of recreational marijuana in numerous states is paving the way for more rigorous scientific investigation into its long-term effects.

Experts stress the importance of caution and further research into marijuana use. While current data does not substantiate the benefits of recreational consumption, there is evidence supporting its medicinal use. With decreasing stigma around marijuana, users are encouraged to communicate openly with healthcare providers to secure appropriate care and treatment.

Source: CNN