We were told cigarettes could kill you. But the people telling us this were smoking marijuana—which is WORSE than a cigarette.
“Researchers from the University of Western Australia found that cannabis exposure was associated with significant increases in cancers, particularly breast, pancreatic, liver, thyroid, and testicular. Testicular cancer risk rose 2.6 times among cannabis users. The perspective, published in the journal Addiction Biology also discovered that cancers in users tend to develop much earlier and are more aggressive.
Beyond cancer, the scientists uncovered troubling links to birth defects. Epidemiological data across Europe and the United States revealed elevated rates of severe developmental abnormalities, including missing limbs, heart problems, and chromosomal disorders. In other words, cannabis users appear to be passing on DNA mutations to their children in the womb.”
But in California and elsewhere, marijuana is used “recreationally—as a method of suicide. Those are the medical facts.
Report: Cannabis tied to alarming rise in cancer, birth defects, and accelerated aging
By StudyFinds Staff, Reviewed by Chris Melore, Research led by Albert Stuart Reece and Gary Kenneth Hulse, University of Western Australia, Study Funds, 11/14/24 https://studyfinds.org/cannabis-cancers-birth-defects/
CRAWLEY, Australia — A startling new paper highlights a disturbing connection between using cannabis and rising rates of various cancers and congenital abnormalities, as well as DNA damage. The research paints a sobering picture of the hidden health consequences of widespread cannabis consumption as more and more countries legalize its use recreationally.
Researchers from the University of Western Australia found that cannabis exposure was associated with significant increases in cancers, particularly breast, pancreatic, liver, thyroid, and testicular. Testicular cancer risk rose 2.6 times among cannabis users. The perspective, published in the journal Addiction Biology also discovered that cancers in users tend to develop much earlier and are more aggressive.
Beyond cancer, the scientists uncovered troubling links to birth defects. Epidemiological data across Europe and the United States revealed elevated rates of severe developmental abnormalities, including missing limbs, heart problems, and chromosomal disorders. In other words, cannabis users appear to be passing on DNA mutations to their children in the womb.
“The link we’ve described between cannabis use and genotoxicity has far-reaching consequences. This new research shows how genetic damage from cannabis use can be passed down the generations,” notes co-author Dr. Stuart Reece in a media release. Reece believes this “should reframe the discussion surrounding cannabis legalization.”
The researchers attribute these health impacts to the cannabis plant’s chemical composition, including compounds like THC and CBD, which have been shown to cause genetic damage and disrupt normal cellular processes. Importantly, they point out that cannabis potency has skyrocketed in recent decades, with THC levels now commonly reaching 25-30% – a potential driver behind the worsening outcomes.
At the heart of this research is a process called “micronuclear fragmentation.” Think of your cells’ genetic material as a carefully organized library. Sometimes, small pieces of this library can break off and form tiny separate compartments called micronuclei. These micronuclei are like badly damaged satellite branches of your cellular library, and their formation often spells trouble.
Recent studies have shown that when cells are stressed – particularly when their power plants (mitochondria) are damaged – these micronuclei become even more fragile. When they rupture, it’s like a paper shredder gone haywire in your genetic library, leading to widespread DNA damage and chaos in the cell.
Here’s where cannabis enters the picture: All cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, have been shown to interfere with cellular power plants and promote micronuclei formation. The culprit appears to be a specific part of the cannabinoid molecule called the olivetol nucleus, meaning this isn’t just about THC – it’s about all cannabinoids.
While cannabis-related cancers may be relatively rare, the effects on aging and birth defects appear widespread and severe. Studies have shown a 30% acceleration of cellular aging in users as young as 30 and clusters of major birth defects in areas with high cannabis cultivation.
The authors urgently call for new epidemiological research to further investigate the modern health consequences of cannabis use, given the rise in potent products. They believe policymakers and the public can no longer ignore the mounting evidence of cannabis-related genotoxicity.
Paper Summary
Methodology
This paper is a perspective piece that synthesizes findings from multiple recent studies, particularly focusing on new research published in Science about micronuclear fragmentation. The authors reviewed and analyzed studies from various fields, including molecular biology, epidemiology, and clinical research, to build a comprehensive picture of cannabis’s potential genetic impacts.
Results
The paper identifies three main areas of concern: increased cancer risk (with particularly strong evidence for testicular cancer), birth defects (especially affecting cardiovascular, neurological, and limb development), and accelerated aging (showing about 30% faster aging by age 30 in cannabis users). The research suggests these effects may be transmitted across generations through changes to reproductive cells.
Study Limitations
The paper acknowledges that some historical cannabis-cancer studies have shown conflicting results, which may be due to multiple exposures (like tobacco use), differences in study design, and varying cannabis potencies. Additionally, many studies excluded high-level cannabis exposure, which may have limited their findings.
Discussion & Takeaways
The study’s findings fundamentally challenge the prevailing narrative around the relative safety of cannabis use. The researchers emphasize that the data points to cannabis as a potent genotoxin, capable of causing widespread genetic damage and disrupting normal cellular processes.
This has dire implications not just for individual users but for the health of future generations. The transgenerational transmission of cannabis-related abnormalities is especially alarming and demands urgent attention from policymakers and public health officials.
The authors call for a major shift in how we approach cannabis, moving beyond simplistic discussions of personal liberties to focus on the solemn responsibility of protecting societal genomic integrity. They believe the mounting evidence is a “resounding clarion call to action” that cannot be ignored.
Funding & Disclosures
This research was funded by grants from the University of Western Australia and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
