Anti-cannabis rhetoric has plagued the plant ever since the days of Reefer Madness. The majority of misinformation from back in the day has largely faded away (such as the notion that smoking pot turns you into a sex-crazed murderer). Other claims have simply re-branded (cannabis-induced psychosis comes to mind).
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A recent paper published in the journal Addiction Biology makes many scary assertions about the effects of weed consumption. The New York Post picked up the story with the sensational headline Smoking pot can increase cancer risk, speed up aging — and harm your future children. The content raised eyebrows—and the information within even more so.
The paper argues marijuana is “a ‘genotoxic’ substance because it damages a cell’s genetic information, which can lead to DNA mutations, accelerated aging, and cancer.” It goes on to claim this genotoxicity can be passed down to future generations, with authors writing that pot smoking has “far-reaching consequences.”
Cannabis journalist Jeremy Berke of the Cultivated newsletter put out a call on X (formerly Twitter) to see if any experts could break down the data—and Boston-based cannabis clinician Dr. Benjamin Caplan delivered.
Just so I understand, everyone should brace ourselves, this new “paper” claims smoking weed will give you cancer, make you age faster, and ruin your grandkids’ DNA? Yes, seems like they’re really suggesting that. Happy to unpack the highly speculative science behind these…
— Dr Caplan (@drcaplan) November 15, 2024
Dr. Caplan poked holes in the perspective paper, arguing the authors “cherry-picked” statistics and borrowed findings from unrelated studies to help back up the claims within. He noted the researchers failed to disclose correlations and confounding factors, such as using tobacco, a known carcinogen.
The doctor also mentioned the study authors seemingly ignored relevant yet conflicting research specifically related to cannabis and cancer. Several studies have indicated weed may actually help fight cancer. Furthermore, the paper claims cannabis is linked to birth defects. However, as Dr. Caplan notes, the authors fail to mention studies where no connections are found.
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It goes without saying that Dr. Caplan has a vested interest in picking apart a study that may affect his business. After all, he specializes in helping medical cannabis patients. Regardless, the doctor makes valid points and raises an even more impactful one: always read between the lines. Every scientific inquiry has limitations; headlines only tell one side of the story.
The bottom line is you can’t believe everything you read.
