Cannabis use disorder and the lungs

Abstract

Cannabis is one of the world's most widely used recreational drugs and the second most commonly smoked substance. Research on cannabis and the lungs has been limited by its illegal status, the variability in strength and size of cannabis cigarettes (joints), and the fact that most cannabis users also smoke tobacco, making the effects difficult to separate. Despite these difficulties, the available evidence indicates that smoking cannabis causes bronchitis and is associated with changes in lung function. The pattern of effects is surprisingly different from that of tobacco. Whereas smoking cannabis appears to increase the risk of severe bronchitis at quite low exposure, there is no convincing evidence that this leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Instead, cannabis use is associated with increased central airway resistance, lung hyperinflation and higher vital capacity with little evidence of airflow obstruction or impairment of gas transfer. There are numerous reports of severe bullous lung disease and pneumothorax among heavy cannabis users, but convincing epidemiological data of an increased risk of emphysema or alveolar destruction are lacking. An association between cannabis and lung cancer remains unproven, with studies providing conflicting findings.

Cannabis Legalization and Acute Harm From High Potency Cannabis Products: A Narrative Review and Recommendations for Public Health

“…because of the legal status of cannabis and that most cannabis users worldwide also smoke tobacco), the adverse physical health effects of cannabis remain largely uncertain ( 2 ). One consistent finding has been an association between heavy, long-term use of cannabis and respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis ( 10 , 11 ). Limited evidence suggests cannabis use may elevate risk of cardiovascular disease ( 12 , 13 ) and possibly testicular cancer ( 14 ).…”

Gas Chromatographic Fingerprint Analysis for the Comparison of Seized Cannabis Samples

“…However, in many countries, Cannabis is still prohibited [7]. In Belgium, this psychodysleptic drug is mainly cultivated indoors and is commonly seized by law enforcement.…”

Raising awareness of cannabis detrimental pulmonary consequences

“…and the lungs' by Gracie and Hancox published in Addiction in 2021 [1]. As pulmonologists, we found this manuscript to be relevant in raising awareness on a subject that needs further investigative efforts; namely, the question of cannabis usage via inhalation and its effects on the lungs.…”