Marihuana Smoking, a Possible Carcinogen or Cocarcinogen

Abstract

Marihuana smoking may act as a carcinogen or co-carcinogen. It contains several proven carcinogens such as nitrosoamine and benzene, and is known to damage the respiratory epithelium, including the nasopharynx. There is also a proven decrease in cellular and humoral immunity. These bets, coupled with reports in the literature of multiple cases of cancer of the respiratory tract in the young with the average age at onset of 26 years, highlight this hazard. The AIDS population (whose life-span is now being prolonged) are the most susceptible to this potential effect of marihuana smoking. References: 11