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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.
My father smoked weed daily for thirty years. He died at age 52. My siblings and I have congenital defects and have battled health issues for most of our lives. Yes, just an anecdote, but…
Straight lies. Covid vaccines are the cause. People have smoked weed forever & most ppl who smoke weed NEVER get cancer. FACT. Covid? Lies.
After “fact checking” the report their are several issues found within. Who ever wrote this article and report should have to answer for. First the SCIENCE study has nothing to do with cannabis use and it’s effects. Second recent studies have shown cannabis to not cause birth defects. Those studies looked at cannabis and it’s effects on unborn children and infants. Another issue is the use of Frances birth defects. Which appeared BEFORE cannabis farming in France and dates back to early 2000s. The report says the cause could be cannabis farming not use. Which according to the French Health Ministry is not true and no common link between families was ever found. In fact French authorities have said it was brought on by reproductive medicine and age of those having kids not environmental. The report leaves out the French health officials conigal heart defects report over a twenty year period. Which showed the heart defects made up 1% of those children born. At no point in Australia or France were those born with defects linked to cannabis. Thier is NO EVIDENCE cannabis was the cause or they ever did cannabis in most cases. Nothing in the report proves or supports what the researcher or doctor is claiming nor what was written in this article. In America 1 in 33 children are born with defects. With American Indains and Whites have the highest rates. No increase in defects were reported from areas that grow cannabis. According to the UN the highest birth rate defects are found in the Middle East and North Africa for example Sudan 82 per every 1000 live births while France is 39.7 per 1000. A study done by and published in Addiction Journal analyzed 57 studies looked at 13 million kids and 100,000 infants that were exposed to cannabis in womb. The conclusion was it does not cause birth defects. It does cause issue such as low weight and premature birth but not defects. This is just another example of people in the medical community linked to big pharma who don’t like cannabis promoting propaganda.