The effects of marijuana smoking on lung function in older people

Background: Previous studies have associated marijuana exposure with increased respiratory symptoms and chronic bronchitis among long-term cannabis smokers. The long-term effects of smoked marijuana on lung function remain unclear. Methods: We determined the association of marijuana smoking with the risk of spirometrically defined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7) in 5291 population-based individuals and the rate of decline in FENT1 in a subset of 1285 males and females, aged >= 40 years, who self-reported use (or non-use) of marijuana and tobacco cigarettes and performed spirometry before and after inhaled bronchodilator on multiple occasions. Analysis for the decline in FENT1 was performed using random mixed effects regression models adjusted for age, sex and body mass index. Heavy tobacco smoking and marijunana smoking was defined as >20 pack-years and >20 joint-years, respectively. Results: similar to 20% of participants had been or were current marijuana smokers with most having smoked tobacco cigarettes in addition (83%). Among heavy marijuana users, the risk of COPD was significantly increased (adjusted OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.55-3.88). Compared to never-smokers of marijuana and tobacco, heavy marijuana smokers and heavy tobacco smokers experienced a faster decline in FEV1 by 29.5 mL.year(-1) (p=0.0007) and 21.1 mL.year(-1) (p<0.0001), respectively. Those who smoked both substances experienced a decline of 32.31 mL.year(-1) (p<0.0001). Interpretation: Heavy marijuana smoking increases the risk of COPD and accelerates FEV1 decline in concomitant tobacco smokers beyond that observed with tobacco alone.