Marijuana ‘genotoxic’, may increase cancer risk: new paper

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A new scientific paper describes cannabis as a “genotoxic” substance that damages genetic information within cells, potentially leading to DNA mutations, accelerated biological aging and cancer.

The authors of the analysis say that this genotoxicity can be passed on to the weed smoker’s offspring via a damaged egg and sperm, making cannabis a risk problem for future generations.

“The link we have described between cannabis use and genotoxicity has far-reaching consequences,” said study co-author Stuart Reece of the University of Western Australia. “This new research shows how genetic damage from cannabis use can be passed down through generations.”

Reece’s research is rooted in the power of mitochondria, which are specialized structures within cells that generate the energy needed to fuel cellular processes. It has already been reported that mitochondria produce less energy if cannabinoids, the active chemicals in marijuana, are present.

Reece and his colleague were inspired by recent research published in Science, which found that mitochondrial dysfunction causes chromosomal damage, increasing the risk of cancer, accelerated aging and birth defects.

The scientific studies weren’t specifically about marijuana, but Reece was able to glean new, “broad insights” about cannabis use that weren’t well understood before, including that cannabis causes mitochondrial and genetic damage.

Cannabis has been shown to increase the risk of testicular cancer, but Reece admits that historically, “the cancer-cannabis link has been controversial.” He blames this discrepancy on poor study design and a rapid increase in power since the 1970s.

“While cancer is thought to be a rare outcome among individuals exposed to cannabis, the effects of aging are not,” added Reece. “A dramatic acceleration of [biological] The age of 30% to just 30 years old was recently reported.”

It’s unclear how much long-term damage marijuana use can cause.

Reece hopes his analysis, published Thursday in the journal Addiction Biology, “reframes the discussion about legalizing cannabis from a personal choice to one that potentially spans multiple generations.”

Recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states, and a dozen more have legalized medical pot.

Voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota this month voted against proposals to legalize weed, while Nebraska voters chose to legalize it for medical uses.