420 with CNW — Study Says Marijuana Smoking Doesn’t Present Same Risks as Tobacco
Like several Western countries, the United States has been caught up in a wave of cannabis reform that has seen dozens of states legalize either recreational or medical cannabis use among their residents. But with millions of Americans now gaining access to legal cannabis, some cannabis reform opponents have argued that cannabis consumption is a dangerous activity that can open users to other substances.
Cannabis has been compared to tobacco cigarettes, which are also smoked and are known to cause a multitude of health issues. However, a recent study by University of California researchers has revealed that marijuana smoking does not present the same risks as tobacco smoking.
In a recent study, the researchers compared current cannabis users, people who have used cannabis in the past, and those who have never used cannabis to determine if they experienced any health issues similar to cigarette smokers. After more than four years of comparison and research, the team found that past and present cannabis consumption “of any lifetime amount” had no association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development or progression.
The team published its findings in the journal “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases.”
The findings were celebrated by numerous cannabis advocates who said that the results were in line with past studies, which had concluded that smoking cannabis over the long term was not associated with irreversible airway damage, lung cancer or COPD. A large-scale national study carried out by the University of Central Florida in 2012 also found that “low to moderate” cannabis use presented fewer health risks to users compared to tobacco.
In another study from 2006, researchers interviewed an estimated 2,000 patients with and without cancer and found that while smoking tobacco increased the risk of developing cancer, cannabis didn’t seem to present the same risk even in lifetime users. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Deputy Director Paul Armentano said that the findings were “reassuring to cannabis consumers and health professionals alike.” Furthermore, he said that they would help to inform future evidenced-based cannabis policies and public health messaging.
In all cases, researchers have been unable to determine why cannabis doesn’t increase the risk of lung cancer or pulmonary diseases despite producing carcinogens and tar when burned.
The UCLA researchers concluded that more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of smoking marijuana, especially in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
The UCLA study goes a long way to dispel the claims by prohibitionists regarding the effects of smoking marijuana. As the truth becomes more clear, the market for marijuana is likely to grow, and its economic benefits could spread to ancillary entities such Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX), whose purpose is to meet the needs of the companies which deal directly with the cannabis plant.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Like several Western countries, the United States has been caught up in a wave of cannabis reform that has seen dozens of states legalize either recreational or medical cannabis use among their residents. But with millions of Americans now gaining access to legal cannabis, some cannabis reform opponents have argued that cannabis consumption is a dangerous activity that can open users to other substances.
Cannabis has been compared to tobacco cigarettes, which are also smoked and are known to cause a multitude of health issues. However, a recent study by University of California researchers has revealed that marijuana smoking does not present the same risks as tobacco smoking.
In a recent study, the researchers compared current cannabis users, people who have used cannabis in the past, and those who have never used cannabis to determine if they experienced any health issues similar to cigarette smokers. After more than four years of comparison and research, the team found that past and present cannabis consumption “of any lifetime amount” had no association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development or progression.
The team published its findings in the journal “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases.”
The findings were celebrated by numerous cannabis advocates who said that the results were in line with past studies, which had concluded that smoking cannabis over the long term was not associated with irreversible airway damage, lung cancer or COPD. A large-scale national study carried out by the University of Central Florida in 2012 also found that “low to moderate” cannabis use presented fewer health risks to users compared to tobacco.
In another study from 2006, researchers interviewed an estimated 2,000 patients with and without cancer and found that while smoking tobacco increased the risk of developing cancer, cannabis didn’t seem to present the same risk even in lifetime users. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Deputy Director Paul Armentano said that the findings were “reassuring to cannabis consumers and health professionals alike.” Furthermore, he said that they would help to inform future evidenced-based cannabis policies and public health messaging.
In all cases, researchers have been unable to determine why cannabis doesn’t increase the risk of lung cancer or pulmonary diseases despite producing carcinogens and tar when burned.
The UCLA researchers concluded that more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of smoking marijuana, especially in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
The UCLA study goes a long way to dispel the claims by prohibitionists regarding the effects of smoking marijuana. As the truth becomes more clear, the market for marijuana is likely to grow, and its economic benefits could spread to ancillary entities such Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX), whose purpose is to meet the needs of the companies which deal directly with the cannabis plant.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
