Inhaled marijuana and the lung, a toxic cocktail?

Unlike the well-documented effects of tobacco smoke on the lung, the effects ofcannabis smoke remain controversial, the main bias consisting in co-consumption of tobacco. That said, the composition of joint smoke is close to that of cigarettes, containing many compounds that are carcinogenic and/or alter the respiratory epithelium. Confirmed respiratoryeffects in chronic cannabis smokers include aggravated chronic bronchitis symptoms, a cumulative effect with tobacco on COPD and emphysema occurrence, an increased risk of bullousemphysema, and pneumothorax with heightened risk of recurrence after pleural symphysis. Recent prospective studies have shown a negative impact on lung function, with not only damageto the airways, but also DLCO alteration and an accelerated drop in FEV1. Finally, cannabis smoking is very common among young patients with lung cancer. Its consumption could lead to adifferent lung cancer profile, potentially more undifferentiated and less accessible to targetedtherapy. Questioning about cannabis consumption must be systematic and targeted medicalcare should be offered. (c) 2022 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.