A new report has revealed that the use of marijuana can increase the risk of developing illnesses such as schizophrenia and respiratory problems.
The report from a committee created by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine listed the identified risks and benefits of cannabis. Several studies were quoted including some stating that cannabis and cannabinoids have positive effects in treating chronic pain, improving the quality of sleep, easing spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, and preventing nausea during chemotherapy.
On the other hand, smoking cannabis was found to increase the risk of developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, worsening bipolar disorder, heart problems, bronchitis, impaired memory, and many other health problems.
The link between marijuana and cardiovascular problems is still unclear, and more evidence is needed to establish the link. However, the committee mentioned that there is some evidence to support the idea that pot can trigger heart attacks. Further, the report mentioned that there was substantial evidence that the risk of chronic bronchitis increases with regular use of marijuana and that the condition will improve when individuals stop smoking.
It was also disclosed that around 22.2 million Americans aged from 12 and above admitted to trying pot and 90 percent of them smoked for recreational purpose. This makes pot "the most popular illicit drug in the United States, in terms of past-month users," the report said.
Although further confirmation is necessary, the report is considered important as it contradicts existing ideas about pot as a medicinal substance. The plant is legally accepted as a medicine in 28 states in the US including Washington.
Professor Marie McCormick from the Harvard Medical School said "this growing acceptance, accessibility, and use of cannabis and its derivatives have raised important public health concerns. Moreover, the lack of any aggregated knowledge of cannabis-related health effects has led to uncertainty about what, if any, are the harms or benefits of its use."
The report is described as the most "rigorous review of scientific research published since 1999" about the health impacts of cannabis.