Cannabis Found to Cause Genetic Damage and Raise Cancer Risk

Introduction

A recent investigation published in Addiction Biology has raised alarming questions about the effects of cannabis use, suggesting it could cause cellular and genetic damage that may increase cancer risk and potentially affect future generations.

Genotoxic Effects of Cannabis

This study categorizes cannabis as a “genotoxic” agent, meaning it can harm the genetic material within our cells.

Such damage often leads to DNA mutations, encourages accelerated aging, and heightens the risk of developing aggressive tumors.

The researchers have proposed a startling idea: the genetic damage from cannabis consumption might be passed down through reproductive cells to future generations.

This implies that the impact of cannabis could ripple beyond the user, potentially affecting the health of their offspring.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Broader Implications

Conducted by scientists at The University of Western Australia, the study draws connections to previous research that has shown cannabis can disrupt cellular energy production by targeting mitochondria.

These claims are bolstered by recent findings published in Science, which link mitochondrial dysfunction to chromosomal damage, further increasing the risks of cancer, premature aging, and developmental issues.

While the Science studies didn’t specifically focus on cannabis, they help clarify how this substance can affect mitochondrial health and genetic integrity—areas that were previously not well understood.

According to Dr. Stuart Reece, a co-author of the study, the findings call for a serious reconsideration of the conversation surrounding cannabis legalization.

The focus needs to shift from merely personal choice to the broader implications for health across generations.

As this research unveils the depths of cannabis’s long-term effects, it suggests that the consequences could be more widespread than once thought.

This shift in perspective not only complicates the narrative around cannabis use but also emphasizes the necessity for ongoing dialogue about its potential risks.

Study Details:

• Title: Key insights into cannabis-cancer pathobiology and genotoxicity
• Authors: Albert Stuart Reece and Gary Kenneth Hulse
• Journal: Addiction Biology
• Publication Date: 13 November 2024
• DOI: 10.1111/adb.70003