Light Marijuana Use Not Tied To Lung Cancer

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Light Marijuana Use Not Tied to Lung Cancer

 

A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society suggests that light to moderate marijuana use does not increase one’s risk of lung cancer.  Researchers are still looking into the impact that heavy marijuana use has on lung cancer risk.

 

According to Donald P. Tashkin, emeritus professor of medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, “Findings from a limited number of well-designed epidemiological studies do not suggest an increased risk for the development of either lung or upper airway cancer from light or moderate use, although evidence is mixed concerning possible carcinogenic risks of heavy, long term use.”

 

However, he continued, marijuana does “cause visible and microscopic injury to the large airways that is consistently associated with an increased likelihood of symptoms of chronic bronchitis that subside after cessation of use.”

 

Despite the risks that are associated with smoking marijuana, Tashkin concluded that they are far less dire than the consequences of tobacco use on lung health.

 

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