Cannabis Use and Its Multifaceted Impact on the Genitourinary System: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background and objectives: Cannabis is a commonly used recreational and therapeutic substance in our society. There are a variety of established physical, social, and mental health impacts associated with cannabis use. However, there is no overview of the impact cannabis use has on the genitourinary system. Thus, this scoping review aims to present data on the impact of cannabis on the genitourinary system. Methods: A scoping review search was undertaken on Embase, Medline, and Web of Science. There were no date restrictions applied. Studies that included data from humans, exposure to cannabis, and outcomes related to the genitourinary system were included. Opinion pieces, commentaries, perspectives, and studies not available in English were excluded.Results: A total of 50 articles met this review's inclusion criteria. The various studies were thematically organized into four themes: adverse outcomes related to cancer (n = 4), non-cancerous urogenital illness (n = 31), kidney transplant (n = 4), and therapeutic use of cannabis (n = 11). There were several non-cancerous urogenital illnesses associated with cannabis use, including acute kidney injury, urinary retention, rhabdomyolysis, and renal infarcts. The data found in this review suggest that cannabis use may not be a contraindication to receiving a kidney transplant. Finally, several studies highlighted some of the therapeutic applications cannabis may have on the genitourinary system.Conclusions: This review brings forward conflicting findings on the association between cannabis use and genitourinary malignancies. Moving forward, data from well-designed long-term research studies are needed to understand the impact cannabis