With the increasing legalization of marijuana across the United States, questions about its safety and health implications have become more prevalent. Currently, 33 states permit its medical use, and 11 states allow recreational consumption. However, despite its widespread usage, there remains a paradox: broad public familiarity with cannabis contrasts sharply with limited scientific understanding of its long-term effects.
One critical concern is the impact of cannabis on lung health. It’s advised not to smoke cannabis, as it can inflame the lungs. Alternatives like under-the-tongue tinctures, edibles, topical products, or dry herb vaporizers are recommended. Smoking cannabis, especially holding the smoke in the lungs for more than a second or two, can irritate the lungs without enhancing the effect. According to Northwell Health, smoking marijuana can lead to chronic bronchitis and other airway changes.
From a mental health perspective, there are risks, especially for individuals with a family history of psychosis or schizophrenia. Early cannabis use in adolescence can trigger psychotic symptoms and potentially lead to long-lasting issues with psychosis and schizophrenia. This is particularly concerning given that marijuana cultivation and use date back some 6000 years, highlighting its long-standing presence in human societies.
Other health risks associated with marijuana use include impaired thinking, problem-solving, memory issues, poor coordination and balance, elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, more frequent respiratory infections, hallucinations at high doses, decreased sperm counts and erectile dysfunction in males, and irregular menstrual cycles in females.
However, it’s also acknowledged that cannabis can have therapeutic benefits, particularly when consumed by inhalation (smoking or vaporizing). This method offers rapid onset and easier dosage control, although it can cause chronic bronchitis and requires frequent redosing due to its short-lasting effects. Harvard Medical School experts suggest that while cannabis has benefits for certain conditions, it also poses risks, particularly for individuals over 55. Moreover, a positive result in a cannabinoid screen from urine can indicate recent and past marijuana use, with more than 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of THC being a threshold for a positive test.
The debate around cannabis safety is ongoing. While public sentiment is increasingly in favor of legalization, with a CBS News/YouGov survey indicating that two-thirds of Americans support legal recreational marijuana use, the medical community continues to grapple with its complex implications. As research evolves, it becomes clear that the story of cannabis is not one of straightforward benefits or harms, but rather a nuanced narrative shaped by individual circumstances, medical history, and the method of consumption.
For more detailed information on cannabis and its effects, refer to the extensive research and insights provided by institutions such as Harvard University, Harvard Health, Johns Hopkins, and Health Encyclopedia.
