Comprehensive Review of Marijuana Research Since 1999 Reveals Health Effects of Cannabis

Written by Lucas Kibby, CleanFleet

American researchers by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine finished a comprehensive review, for the first time in decades, of 10,000 studies conducted since 1999 of marijuana research. There are nearly 100 conclusions reached by this massive report that includes definitions of weights of evidence and direction for future studies.

According to the report, cannabis has legitimate medicinal benefits for a variety of ailments, but also has been shown as a contributor to certain mental health issues, has a role as a gateway drug to some degree, and, now common knowledge, has substantive evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.

What did the report find in association to workplace risk?

Are you thinking about dropping marijuana (THC) from the drug testing panel? Have you already?

Some companies are deciding to not test for marijuana for pre-employment due to some hiring shortage issues in various industries. But these companies could be sacrificing increased workplace risk for a quick hire.

Let’s take a look at 6 areas in the new report that could affect your company and why you may not want to drop marijuana yet from your drug testing panel.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: INJURY AND DEATH

There is substantial evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.

There is moderate evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and increased risk of overdose injuries, including respiratory distress, among pediatric populations in U.S. states where cannabis is legal.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: PSYCHOSOCIAL

There is moderate evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and the impairment in the cognitive domains of learning, memory, and attention (acute cannabis use)

There is limited evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and impaired academic achievement and education outcomes, increased rates of unemployment and/or low income, and impaired social functioning or engagement in developmentally appropriate social roles.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: PROBLEM CANNABIS USE

There is substantial evidence that being male and smoking cigarettes are risk factors for the progression of cannabis use to problem cannabis use and initiating cannabis use at an earlier age is a risk factor for the development of problem cannabis use.

There is moderate evidence that major depressive disorder is a risk factor for the development of problem cannabis use and exposure to the combined use of abused drugs is a risk factor for the development of problem cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: ABUSE OF OTHER SUBSTANCES

There is moderate evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and the development of substance dependence and/or substance abuse disorder for substances including alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit drugs.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: MENTAL HEALTH

There is substantial evidence of a statistical association between cannabis use and the development of schizophrenia or other psychoses, with the highest risk among the most frequent users.

CONCLUSIONS FOR: RESPIRATORY DISEASE

There is substantial evidence of a statistical association between cannabis smoking and worse respiratory symptoms and more frequent chronic bronchitis episodes (long-term cannabis smoking).