Marijuana Smoking Research Articles

Lung Transplantation from Donors with a History of Substance Use

<h3>Purpose</h3> Substance use is common among lung transplant donors, but the implications have not been well studied aside from donor smoking. Stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine can induce pulmonary arterial hypertension while smoked products such as cannabis and crack cocaine can produce airways and parenchymal lung diseases. We sought to characterize donor substance use at our center and evaluate the associations with overall survival as well as post-transplant graft function. <h3>Methods</h3> We studied all double lung transplants in our program between 2004-2016. We reviewed donor substance use histories for the following: heavy smoking, heavy drinking, regular cannabis smoking, ecstasy, benzodiazepines, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, and opiates. We used proportional hazards modelling to evaluate the association between each drug and overall survival as well as chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) development. We used Fisher's Exact test to evaluate the association between drug use and grade 3 primary graft dysfunction (PGD3) in addition to baseline lung allograft dysfunction (BLAD), defined as failure to achieve both FEV1 and FVC ≥80% predicted on 2 consecutive tests ≥3 weeks apart. <h3>Results</h3> Of 473 recipients studied, 186 (39%) received lungs from a donor with a history of drug use in at least one of the 9 categories defined previously. Donor heavy smoking (n=65) was associated with lower overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.10; p=0.032) and an increased risk of PGD3 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.15-3.84; p=0.014) and BLAD (OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.47-4.53; p<0.001). Donor crack cocaine use (n=24) was also associated with impaired overall survival both unadjusted (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.15-3.55; p=0.015) and adjusted for donor heavy smoking (HR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.13-3.50; p=0.017). No other history of donor substance use was associated with post-transplant survival, CLAD, PGD3, or BLAD. <h3>Conclusion</h3> History of substance use was common in our cohort of lung donors. Donor crack cocaine use in addition to donor heavy smoking were associated with impaired post-transplant survival while donor use of other substances does not appear to affect survival and lung function outcomes post-transplant.

Psychiatric Manifestation Among Cannabis Abusers in Benghazi City

Cannabis is the name for preparations from the plant Cannabis sativa The most immediate effect of smoking cannabis is to increase the heart rate by 20% to 50% within a few minutes 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive principle of cannabis The effects of cannabis depend upon the dose received, the mode of administration The short-term effects of cannabis on the brain can include: Confusion ,sleepiness (fatigue),impaired ability to remember Concentrate, pay attention, anxiete fear or panic reduced ability to react quickly Cannabis use can also result in psychotic episodes characterized symptom by, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, disturbances in mood psychotic.

Standardized Cannabis Smoke Extract Induces Inflammation in Human Lung Fibroblasts.

Cannabis (marijuana) is the most commonly used illicit product in the world and is the second most smoked plant after tobacco. There has been a rapid increase in the number of countries legalizing cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Smoking cannabis in the form of a joint is the most common mode of cannabis consumption. Combustion of cannabis smoke generates many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke. Although the impact of tobacco smoke on respiratory health is well-known, the consequence of cannabis smoke on the respiratory system and, in particular, the inflammatory response is unclear. Besides the combustion products present in cannabis smoke, cannabis also contains cannabinoids including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds are hydrophobic and not present in aqueous solutions. In order to understand the impact of cannabis smoke on pathological mechanisms associated with adverse respiratory outcomes, the development of in vitro surrogates of cannabis smoke exposure is needed. Therefore, we developed a standardized protocol for the generation of cannabis smoke extract (CaSE) to investigate its effect on cellular mechanisms in vitro. First, we determined the concentration of Δ9-THC, one of the major cannabinoids, by ELISA and found that addition of methanol to the cell culture media during generation of the aqueous smoke extract significantly increased the amount of Δ9-THC. We also observed by LC-MS/MS that CaSE preparation with methanol contains CBD. Using a functional assay in cells for CB1 receptors, the major target of cannabinoids, we found that this CaSE contains Δ9-THC which activates CB1 receptors. Finally, this standardized preparation of CaSE induces an inflammatory response in human lung fibroblasts. This study provides an optimized protocol for aqueous CaSE preparation containing biologically active cannabinoids that can be used for in vitro experimentation of cannabis smoke and its potential impact on various indices of pulmonary health.

Longitudinal associations between e-cigarette use and onset of multiple modes of cannabis use among US adolescents

ObjectiveTo examine the prospective associations between e-cigarette use and subsequent onset of various modes of cannabis use during a 12-month follow-up period among US adolescents. MethodsData were from the Wave 4 (2017, baseline) and Wave 4.5 (12-month follow-up) surveys of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study. Study population was cannabis-naïve US adolescents (12–16 years) at baseline who reported cannabis use status at follow-up (N = 9,692). Outcomes were modality-specific past-12-month cannabis use (vaping, blunting, smoking with hookah) and any cannabis use (past-12-month and past-30-day) at follow-up. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the weighted association between baseline past-30-day e-cigarette use and each outcome. ResultsBaseline e-cigarette use was significantly associated with onset of cannabis vaping (aOR = 4.00, 95% CI = 2.25–7.10), blunting (aOR = 5.30, 95% CI = 2.82–9.94), any cannabis use (aOR = 3.94, 95% CI = 2.35–6.62), and past-30-day cannabis use (aOR = 4.47, 95%CI = 2.64–7.58) at follow-up. Non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to report past-12-month blunting (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.07–2.24) and smoking cannabis with hookah (aOR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.14–8.63) compared with non-Hispanic whites. Other tobacco use, alcohol use, perceiving e-cigarette use as having little or some harm, older age, high severity of externalizing mental health problems, and living in states legalized adult recreational cannabis use were significantly associated with future onset of cannabis vaping, blunting, and any cannabis use. ConclusionsThe association of e-cigarette use with cannabis vaping was not stronger than its association with other modes of cannabis use. Future studies are needed to explain the mechanisms linking e-cigarettes and cannabis use.

Impact of Tobacco, Marijuana and Alcohol Use on Overall Survival in Recurrent Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use have all been associated with immune suppressive effect. This study assess the impact of smoking status, marijuana use and alcohol consumption on overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with recurrent-metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Between January 15^th 2016 and April 9^th 2020, 201 pts with R/M HNSCC were treated with ICI. Data on smoking status, marijuana use and alcohol consumption were collected through retrospective chart review. We had p16 status, hemoglobin, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count recorded initially at the time of starting ICI. OS was defined from the start of ICI to death. Progression Free Survival (PFS) was defined from the start of ICI to disease progression (PD) or death. <h3>Results</h3> 201 pts were analyzed, sex: 154 male (77%), 47 female (23%). Median age 61 (IQR: 55-68). ICI drug: pembrolizumab 100 (50%), nivolumab 91 (45%), ipilimumab+nivolumab 10 (5%). Line of therapy: first: 98 (49%), second and beyond: 103 (51%). Tumor site: oropharynx 84 (42%), oral cavity 45 (22%), others 72 (36%). p16 status: negative 132 (66%), positive 69 (34%). Smoking status: former 111 (55%), never 54 (27%), current 36 (18%), median pack-year 18 (IQR: 0-37). Alcohol use: yes 110 (55%), no 91 (54%). Marijuana use: yes 47 (23%), no 154 (77%). Laboratory values: median neutrophil count: 4.58 (IQR: 3.43-6.47), median lymphocyte count: 0.69 (IQR: 0.47-1.08), median platelet count: 229 (IQR: 187-300), hemoglobin: normal/low 101/100 (50%/50%), albumin: normal/low 156/45 (78%/22%), LDH: normal/high 124/77 (62%/38%). Overall response rate: 36 (18%). Median OS: 12 months (CI: 9.4-14.8), median PFS: 4 months (CI: 3.5-5.7). Tobacco: former [HR 0.92 (0.62-1.36), <i>p=0.3</i>], current [HR 0.66 (0.39-1.14), <i>p=0.3</i>]. Marijuana: yes [HR 0.66 (0.43-1.01), <i>p=0.054</i>]. Alcohol: yes [HR 0.91 (0.65-1.28), <i>p=0.6</i>]. The variables associated with OS were high neutrophil count [HR 1.28 (1.08 – 1.51), <i>p=0.004</i>], high lymphocyte count [HR 0.75 (0.60 – 0.95), <i>p=0.015</i>], albumin (low) [HR 2.06 (1.37 – 3.10), <i>p<0.001</i>], hemoglobin (low) [HR 1.64 (1.14 – 2.35), <i>p=0.007</i>], LDH (high) [HR 1.78 (1.23 – 2.56), <i>p=0.002</i>] and p16 status (positive) [HR 0.58 (0.39-0.87), <i>p=0.009</i>]. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In our single institutional cohort, smoking status, marijuana use and alcohol consumption did not appear to have a significant impact on OS in patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICI. As we previously reported, the pre-treatment patient characteristics associated with OS include neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, albumin, LDH and p16 status.

Individual and Combined Association Between Prenatal Polysubstance Exposure and Childhood Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Polysubstance use among pregnant women has increased because of the opioid epidemic and the increasing legalization of cannabis along with persistent tobacco and alcohol consumption. Previous research on prenatal substance use and the child's risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has mostly focused on single-substance exposures; simultaneous examination of multiple substance use and assessment of their synergistic health consequences is needed. To assess the consequences of the use of specific substances during pregnancy, investigate whether the interaction of multiple prenatal substance exposures is associated with increases in the risk of childhood ADHD, and estimate the aggregate burden of polysubstance exposure during gestation. This cohort study analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort from 1998 to 2019. The sample of the present study comprised a multiethnic urban cohort of mother-child pairs who were predominantly low income. A total of 3138 children who were enrolled shortly after birth at Boston Medical Center were included and followed up from age 6 months to 21 years. Substance use during pregnancy was identified based on self-reported tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of cannabis, cocaine, or opioids in any trimester of pregnancy. Diagnostic codes for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, were also used to identify opioid exposure during gestation. ADHD diagnosis in the child's electronic medical record. Among 3138 children (1583 boys [50.4%]; median age, 12 years [IQR, 9-14 years]; median follow-up, 10 years [IQR, 7-12 years]) in the final analytic sample, 486 (15.5%) had an ADHD diagnosis and 2652 (84.5%) were neurotypical. The median postnatal follow-up duration was 12 years (IQR, 9-14 years). Among mothers, 46 women (1.5%) self-identified as Asian (non-Pacific Islander), 701 (22.3%) as Hispanic, 1838 (58.6%) as non-Hispanic Black, 227 (7.2%) as non-Hispanic White, and 326 (10.4%) as other races and/or ethnicities (including American Indian or Indigenous, Cape Verdean, Pacific Islander, multiracial, other, or unknown). A total of 759 women (24.2%) reported the use of at least 1 substance during pregnancy, with tobacco being the most frequently reported (580 women [18.5%]). Cox proportional hazards models revealed that opioid exposure (60 children) had the highest adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for ADHD (2.19; 95% CI, 1.10-4.37). After including main statistical effects of all individual substances in an elastic net regression model, the HR of opioids was reduced to 1.60, and evidence of a statistical interaction between opioids and both cannabis and alcohol was found, producing 1.42 and 1.15 times higher risk of ADHD, respectively. The interaction between opioids and smoking was also associated with a higher risk of ADHD (HR, 1.17). The findings of this study suggest that it is important to consider prenatal concurrent exposure to multiple substances and their possible interactions when counseling women regarding substance use during pregnancy, the future risk of ADHD for their children, and strategies for cessation and treatment programs.

Recreational cannabis use and identity formation: a collective memory work study

ABSTRACT Until quite recently, cannabis was the most widely used illicit drug globally. Using collective memory work, this study focuses on experiences of cannabis use as part of young persons’ deviant leisure repertoire and explores its role in identity formation processes. The study included a group process of analyzing our own memories of early experience of cannabis use, as well as analysis of the group research meetings themselves. Three themes emerged from the analysis: 1. The construction of cannabis as both cool and dangerous; 2. Smoking cannabis for the first time as a rite of passage; 3. Cannabis smoking as an extraterritorial space that allows exploration and identity formation in adolescence/early adulthood. A fourth theme that emerged from the analysis of the group meetings is cannabis use as part of identity work in adulthood. The study demonstrates that the label “cannabis user” has had an important role in our identity formation.

Patient to Physician: “I Smoke Pot. I Need Surgery. Is That a Problem?”

Topics in Pain Management: March 2022 - Volume 37 - Issue 8 - p 6-8 doi: 10.1097/01.TPM.0000822716.90106.1c

Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke in the United States and Canada in 2019

Little is known about exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke (SHCS) among residents of detached single-family homes and multiunit housing (MUH). Using data from the 2019 International Cannabis Policy Study, the prevalence of (a) self-reported exposure to SHCS at home (n = 33,024) and (b) self-reported SHCS incursions into MUH (defined as SHCS from another unit/the outdoors, n = 15,634) was estimated in (1) Canada; (2) US states where non-medical cannabis use was legal, and (3) US states where it remained illegal. Factors associated with exposures and incursions were assessed using weighted logistic regression. Overall, 16.9% of residents in Canada, 20.6% in US legal states, and 15.5% in US illegal states reported exposure to SHCS in their homes at least once in the previous month. One quarter (25.7%) of Canadian MUH residents, 26.6% from US legal states, and 20.1% from US illegal states reported at least monthly incursions. Sociodemographic factors associated with incursions suggested MUH residents reporting incursions lived in qualitatively different MUH than those not reporting incursions. Irrespective of the legality of non-medical cannabis use, smoke-free policies in MUH should protect residents from involuntary exposure to all types of secondhand smoke.

Genome-wide identification of the shared genetic basis of cannabis and cigarette smoking and schizophrenia implicates NCAM1 and neuronal abnormality

ObjectivesConfirming the existence and composition of the shared genetic basis of Schizophrenia and cannabis and cigarette smoking has critical values for the clinical prevention and intervention of psychosis. MethodsTo achieve this goal, we leveraged Genome-Wide summary statistics of Schizophrenia (n = 99,934), cigarette smoking (n = 518,633) and cannabis usage (n = 162,082). We applied Causal Analysis Using Summary Effect Estimates (CAUSE) and genomic structural equation modeling (GenomicSEM) to quantify the contribution of a common genetic factor of cannabis and cigarette smoking and schizophrenia (referred to as SCZ_SMO), then identified genome-wide loci that made up SCZ_SMO. ResultsWe estimated that SCZ_SMO explained 8.6% of Schizophrenia heritability (Z score <-2.5 in CAUSE, p<10−20 in Genomic SEM). There were 20 independent loci showing association with SCZ_SMO at the genome-wide threshold of p<5 × 10−8. At the top locus on chromosome 11, fine-mapping identified rs7945073 (posterior inclusion probability =0.12, p = 2.24 × 10−32) as the top risk variants. Gene-level association and fine-mapping highlighted NCAM1, PHC2, and SEMA6D as risk genes of SCZ_SMO. Other risk genes were enriched in cortex, neuron, and dendritic spines (adjusted p<0.05). SCZ_SMO showed significant positive correlation (p<10−6) with the genetic risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (r = 0.50), lifestyle problems (r = 0.83), social deprivation (r = 0.58) and all-cause pregnant loss (r = 0.60). ConclusionOur result provided new evidence on the shared genetic basis model for the association between Schizophrenia and smoking and provided genetic and biological insights into their shared mechanism.

Lifetime marijuana use and epigenetic age acceleration: A 17-year prospective examination

AimsThis study was designed to assess links between lifetime levels of marijuana use and accelerated epigenetic aging. DesignProspective longitudinal study, following participants annually from age 13 to age 30. Setting and participantsA community sample of 154 participants recruited from a small city in the Southeastern United States. MeasurementsParticipants completed annual assessments of marijuana use from age 13 to age 29 and provided blood samples that yielded two indices of epigenetic aging (DNAmGrimAge and DunedinPoAm) at age 30. Additional covariates examined included history of cigarette smoking, anxiety and depressive symptoms, childhood illness, gender, adolescent-era family income, and racial/ethnic minority status. FindingsLifetime marijuana use predicted accelerated epigenetic aging, with effects remaining even after covarying cell counts, demographic factors and chronological age (β’s = 0.32 & 0.27, p’s < 0.001, 95% CI’s = 0.21–0.43 & 0.16–0.39 for DNAmGrimAge and DunedinPoAm, respectively). Predictions remained after accounting for cigarette smoking (β’s = 0.25 & 0.21, respectively, p’s < 0.001, 95% CI’s = 0.14–0.37 & 0.09–0.32 for DNAmGrimAge and DunedinPoAm, respectively). A dose-response effect was observed and there was also evidence that effects were dependent upon recency of use. Effects of marijuana use appeared to be fully mediated by hypomethylation of a site linked to effects of hydrocarbon inhalation (cg05575921). ConclusionsMarijuana use predicted epigenetic changes linked to accelerated aging, with evidence suggesting that effects may be primarily due to hydrocarbon inhalation among marijuana smokers. Further research is warranted to explore mechanisms underlying this linkage.

Marijuana Is Associated With a Hormonal Imbalance Among Several Habits Related to Male Infertility: A Retrospective Study.

Marijuana is one of the most consumed drugs worldwide. There is increasing evidence of an association between marijuana and male infertility. This study intends to assess the repercussion of marijuana smoking and other habits (sedentary lifestyle, alcohol, and tobacco use) in the testicular function of infertile men seeking andrological evaluation. A retrospective study was performed using medical records data of men aged 18–59 years from 2009 to 2017. Complete semen analyses, sperm functional tests, SHBG, and hormonal levels, testosterone-to-estradiol ratio (T/E2), and testis volume were evaluated. Exclusion criteria included cryptorchidism, infertility caused by genetic or infectious diseases, and cancer. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate which habit could predict certain parameters using the software SPSS 23.0 (P < 0.05). In a sample of 153 men, semen parameters, testosterone levels, and testis volume were not significantly influenced. Marijuana use had the broader hormonal changes since it influences estradiol (P = 0.000; B = −11.616), prolactin (P = 0.000; B = 3.211), SHBG levels (P = 0.017; B = 7.489), and T/E2 (P = 0.004; B = 14.030). Sedentary lifestyle (P = 0.028; B = 1.279) and tobacco smoking (P = 0.031; B = −2.401) influenced the prolactin levels. Marijuana is associated with hormonal imbalance in this infertile cohort by lowering estradiol levels and inhibiting aromatase function.

Daily fluctuations in drinking intensity: Links with vaping and combustible use of nicotine and marijuana

BackgroundWhether alcohol use intensity on a given day is linked with nicotine or marijuana use that same day is not well known, nor are links of drinking intensity with different modes of nicotine and marijuana use. This study examined these within-person links across 14 days in a national sample of young adults (YAs). MethodsPast 30-day drinkers participating in the U.S. nationally representative Monitoring the Future study of 12th graders in 2018, who also reported alcohol use during a 14-day data collection one year later in the Young Adult Daily Life Study in 2019, were included (N = 487). Weighted multilevel modeling estimated within- and between-person associations of drinking intensity with cigarette smoking, nicotine vaping, marijuana smoking, and marijuana vaping. ResultsWithin-person fluctuations in drinking intensity on a given day were associated with cigarette smoking, nicotine vaping, and marijuana smoking, but not marijuana vaping. There were significant between-person associations of means of drinking intensity and each outcome, except for cigarette smoking. ConclusionDrinking intensity on a given day was associated with multiple modes of nicotine use and marijuana smoking that day. Nicotine and marijuana use remain critical areas of concern for public health, and future research and interventions should consider the comorbidity of drinking intensity and multiple modes of nicotine and marijuana use. Focusing on the same-day use of alcohol may provide a tailored avenue for preventing and reducing nicotine and marijuana emerging trends among YAs.

Determination of 210Po and 210Pb in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants and products

The concentrations of polonium 210Po and radio-lead 210Pb in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants and products now legally available in Poland were determined. Limiting the delivery of radionuclides to the body is an important aspect of civil protection in many countries. Reduction in use and awareness of the risks associated with tobacco and cannabis smoking have a great impact. The 210Po and 210Pb concentrations in 44 hemps, 20 hashish and 8 hemp tea samples, as well as in 3 types of cannabis plants (highest parts of mature hemp plant Fenola, Fedora and Futura) were determined. Each of the sample names means a different type and cross of C. sativa L. Being numerous, the are recognized on the market precisely by these names. Effective doses were calculated and compared to the doses of the other combustion products, such as tobacco. In the case of hemp, the highest concentration of 210Po was found in samples of dried Sweet Carmel (34.7 ± 0.23 mBq·g−1), while the lowest in the Hemp Berry (0.57 ± 0.23 mBq·g−1). In the case of 210Pb, the highest concentration was in Strawberry Kush (2.32 ± 0.05 mBq·g−1), while the lowest in Strawberry Haze (0.19 ± 0.03 mBq·g−1). In hashish, the highest and lowest concentrations of 210Po were in Strawberry Diesel 164 ± 3 mBq·g−1 and in Mango Kush 2.5 ± 0.2 mBq·g−1. The highest and lowest concentrations in the case of 210Pb in hashish were in Pollen Hashish 45.1 ± 0.2 mBq·g−1 and in Mango Kush Hashish 0.45 ± 0.05 mBq·g−1, respectively. These radionuclides did not constitute a radioactive equilibrium (210Po/210Pb).

Sources of Polonium 210Po and Radio-Lead 210Pb in Human Body in Poland.

This article contains and discusses the results of research on the source of polonium 210Po and radio-lead 210Pb in the human body of adults living in Poland. An adult inhabitant of Poland receives an effective annual radiation dose of 309 µSv from inhalation and absorption of 210Po and 210Pb. The main sources of both radionuclides in the body is cigarette and marijuana smoking. In terms of food, the consumption of fish, cereals, vegetables and fruit as well as mushrooms have the largest contribution to annual dose. This study highlights the importance of cigarette smoking and the growing importance of marijuana hash smoking as the main source of 210Po and 210Pb for adults living in Poland. The calculated dose that results from the decay of both radionuclides in body is 1/10 of the annual radiation dose received by a Polish inhabitant from natural sources (2.8 mSv) and is almost five times lower than the dose resulting from the inhalation of 222Rn.

Marijuana and Myocardial Infarction in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Background: Atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, acute coronary syndromes, and cardiac arrest have been attributed to marijuana. But the National Academy of Science’s 2017 Report, The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids, found limited evidence that acute marijuana smoking is positively associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, and uncovered no evidence to support or refute associations between any chronic effects of marijuana use and increased risk of myocardial infarct (MI).Aims: We sought to determine the association of marijuana smoking with MI in the UK Biobank cohort. Because red wine is a mood-altering substance, we compared the effect of marijuana with red wine on MI incidence.Methods: Our analysis included all subjects with MI. The diagnosis was ascertained using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10 I21). Marijuana was recorded in UKB Category 143, medical conditions, marijuana use. Cigarette smoking information was from UKB Category 100058, smoking. To compare marijuana smoking with the effect of wine drinking we used data from UKB Category 10051, alcohol.Results: With marijuana use, MI incidence decreased (p < 0.001, two tail Fisher exact test). Red wine was associated with lower MI incidence, although the incidence begins to rise at 11 or more glasses per week (p < 0.001, two tail Fisher exact test). Multivariate analysis was done with logistic regression, MI dependent variable, cigarette pack-years, diabetes type 2, sex, BMI, hypertension, marijuana use, age, red wine consumption, independent variables. Odds ratio (O.R.) 0.844 associated with marijuana use indicates that MI was less likely in marijuana users and was comparable to the effect of red wine (O.R. 0.847).Conclusion: Marijuana, which has not been shown to have the favorable physiologic effects of red wine on the heart, does reduce MI risk to an extent comparable to red wine. Perhaps both affect the heart by reducing stress.

Understanding the Placental Biology of Tobacco Smoke, Nicotine, and Marijuana (THC) Exposures During Pregnancy.

Widespread public health campaigns have reduces the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine exposures during pregnancy in the United States. However, tobacco and nicotine exposures during pregnancy persist as a common modifiable perinatal risk exposure. Furthermore, declines in tobacco use have been accompanied by parallel rises in both the prevalence and incidence of marijuana use in pregnancy. This is worrisome, as the macromolecules which comprise tobacco and marijuana smoke affect placental function. In this chapter we summarize the decades of evidence contributing to our understanding of the placental molecular pathophysiology accompanying these chemical exposures, thereby rendering risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.

"Cannabinoids' Short-Term Effects on Immune Phenotype and Function in HIV-Infected Patients: A Review"

Smoking marijuana and 9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (dronabinol, Marinol) is used for treating anorexia and weight loss caused by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HTV-1). However, there have been concerns that these chemicals may have a negative influence on the immune systems of HTV-infected persons. The writer has conducted randomised, potential, controlled trial in adults who have HIV-infection and who have been receiving protease inhibitor-that contains high active antiretroviral therapy to assess the usage of marijuana cigarette (3.95 percent THC), dronabinol (2.5 mg), and an oral placebo in adults who have HIV-infection receiving protease inhibitor-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Immunological presentation (flow cytometric quantification of cellular subpopulations, B cells, and natural killer [NK] cells) and immunological function (induced cytokine production, NK cell activity, and lymphoproliferation) tests were carried out at the beginning and on a regular basis.

Marijuana smoking and cataract

Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for cataract and other ailments, including heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cannabis smoke, like tobacco smoke, contains a comparable variety of carcinogenic and toxic compounds. In the present study, we analyzed UK Biobank data to determine whether smoking cannabis, like cigarettes, might be related to cataract. Our analysis included all UK Biobank subjects with cataracts and information on cannabis and cigarette smoking habits. The diagnosis of cataract was ascertained using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10), H25. The age at diagnosis of cataract was obtained from UK Biobank data field 4700. Cannabis information was recorded in UK Biobank category 143, data field 20453, ever taken cannabis. Subjects who used cannabis 11-100 times or more were significantly younger (4-5 years) when they developed cataract than subjects who never used cannabis. To determine the relationship of current cigarette smoking to cannabis use and age at cataract, the univariate general linear model of SPSS was used, dependent variable age at cataract, fixed factor cannabis use, random factor pack years of cigarettes smoked. Cannabis use was significantly related to age at cataract diagnosis (P<0.001) and independent of the effect of pack-years of cigarettes smoked (P=0.008). Linear regression revealed an insignificant relationship between pack-years of cigarette smoking and age at cataract diagnosis (P=0.073). To further evaluate the relationship of cannabis to cataract, propensity score matching was performed. We identified 28,432 subjects with cataract. Current cigarette smoking and age were covariates;cannabis use (yes/no) was the indicator variable.Current cigarette smoking was significantly associated with a 1.2 odds ratio for cataract. Cannabis use was not significantly associated with the odds ratio for cataract. Like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains thousands of organic and inorganic chemical compounds. Cannabis tar is chemically similar to tar found in tobacco smoke, and over fifty known carcinogens have been identified in cannabis smoke, including nitrosamines, reactive aldehydes, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Thus, the association of cannabis with cataract that we report here is not entirely surprising. Further studies are warranted.

Changes in Cannabis Consumption Among Emerging Adults in Relation to Policy and Public Health Developments

Background: Rates of cannabis use appear to be highest among emerging adults (EA). Evidence suggests that cannabis smoking, as well as alternate methods of cannabis use (e.g., vaping, edibles) have become a prevalent mode of consumption among this population. Substance use or misuse peaks during emerging adulthood and may be influenced by extreme economic, social and community developments, such as policy changes, public health concerns, and significant global events such as pandemics. For instance, it is highly likely that cannabis consumption trends among at-risk populations were influenced by the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, the declaration of the “e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury” or “EVALI” outbreak, and the “COVID-19” pandemic. ObjectivesWe aimed to examine self-reported changes in frequency of cannabis use among EA in Canada (N = 312): pre-legalization, post-legalization; pre-EVALI, post-EVALI; pre-COVID-19, since-COVID-19. ResultsThere was a gradual increase in average frequency of smoking and vaping cannabis across the six different time intervals from the pre-legalization period (2018) to the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020). Males reported higher frequencies of cannabis smoking and vaping compared to females. ConclusionsDespite health concerns and expectations that EVALI and COVID-19 events would lead to decreased consumption, our results suggest an average increase in smoking and vaping cannabis, although the most notable increase was after legalization. There are important sex differences in behavioral factors of cannabis use in EA, though it appears that the “gender-gap” in cannabis consumption is closing. These findings may facilitate the development of intervention programs for policy measures to address cannabis-attributable outcomes in the face of contextual factors that promote use, such as public emergencies or changes in policy landscapes.