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Study: Cannabis Smoke Exposure Not Associated with Impaired Lung Function

South Brisbane, Australia: The long-term inhalation of cannabis smoke does not impact lung function in the same manner as inhaling tobacco, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.

A team of Australian researchers evaluated the impact of tobacco smoking and cannabis smoking on lung function in a cohort of 30-year-old subjects. Study participants began smoking cannabis, tobacco, or both as young adults. Pulmonary performance was evaluated at age 21 and at age 30 via a spirometry assessment.

Researchers reported that cigarette-only smokers "already showed evidence of impaired lung function" at age 30. By contrast, "those who have [only] used cannabis ever since the adolescent period do not appear to have evidence of impairment of lung function." Specifically, investigators identified airflow obstructions in the lungs of cigarette-only smokers, but they observed no such obstructions in cannabis-only subjects.

Authors further acknowledged, "Co-use of tobacco and cannabis does not appear to predict lung function beyond the effects of tobacco use alone."

They concluded, "Cannabis use does not appear to be related to lung function even after years of use."

The findings are consistent with those of numerous other studies reporting that cannabis smoke exposure, even long-term, is not predictive of the sort of significant adverse pulmonary effects that are consistently associated with tobacco.

Consumers who wish to mitigate or eliminate their exposure to combustive smoke may do so via an herbal vaporizer, which heats cannabinoids to the point of vaporization but below the point of combustion. In clinical trials, herbal vaporizers have been found to be a "safe and effective" cannabinoid delivery device.

Full text of the study, "Do tobacco and cannabis use and co-use predict lung function: A longitudinal study," appears in Respiratory Medicine.

Marijuana Legalization Associated with Reductions in Codeine Prescriptions

Ithaca, NY: The adoption of statewide marijuana legalization laws is associated with reductions in the amount of codeine dispensed at retail pharmacies, according to data published in the journal Health Economics.

A team of researchers affiliated with Cornell University in New York and with George Mason University in Virginia assessed the impact of adult-use cannabis legalization laws on shipments of opioids to hospitals, pharmacies, and other endpoint distributors.

The authors reported that adult-use legalization laws were associated with a 26 percent reduction in pharmacy-based distribution of codeine; this percentage increased in magnitude to 37 percent after the law had been in effect for four years. Authors did not find other evidence of legalization laws affecting changes in other types of opioid distribution.

"This finding is particularly meaningful," one of the study's co-authors said in a press release. "Where previous studies have focused on more potent opioids, codeine is a weaker drug with a higher potential for addiction. It indicates people may be obtaining codeine from pharmacies for misuse, and that recreational cannabis laws reduce this illicit demand."

Among prescription opioids, "codeine is particularly likely to be misused and diverted," the authors wrote.

Numerous studies have documented a decrease in the use of opioids and other prescription medications, including benzodiazepines and sleep aids, among people residing in jurisdictions that provide regulated cannabis access.

Full text of the study, "Recreational cannabis and opioid distribution," appears in Health Economics.

Analysis: Fewer People Self-Report Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol

East Lansing, MI: The percentage of US adults who self-report engaging in driving under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances is decreasing, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Researchers affiliated with Michigan State University and with the University of Michigan assessed drugged driving prevalence among a nationally representative sample for the years 2016 to 2020.

They reported that fewer adults acknowledged driving under the influence of either alcohol, cannabis, or other illicit substances. In particular, they highlighted, "Subgroups with past-year cannabis use that displayed significant declines in DUIC [DUI cannabis] include males, [those] ages 18–25, Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, those with a high school education or less, and those living in a state with a medical cannabis law."

Authors concluded, "US population trends of DUI from any substance declined from 2016 to 2020."

Recent studies have consistently reported that adults residing in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal are less likely to report having driven under the influence as compared to those who do not.

Full text of the study, "Driving under the influence of cannabis, alcohol, and illicit drugs among adults in the United States from 2016 to 2020," appears in Addictive Behaviors.

New Jersey: Officials Move Forward with Plans for Cannabis Consumption Lounges

Trenton, NJ: State regulators have advanced rules regulating the establishment of cannabis consumption venues.

The decision to permit social use areas will be at the discretion of municipalities, which already decide whether or not to allow adult-use retail facilities.

Proposed regulations governing the sites prohibit patrons from either purchasing food or consuming alcohol on site. Licensed cannabis retailers are not permitted to operate more than one consumption lounge. Lounges can be either indoor or outdoor.

The proposed rules are now subject to a public comment period, which runs until March 18, 2023.

In a statement issued by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the agency said that it "expects the new cannabis consumption area rules to have a beneficial social impact by advancing social equity, while allowing persons 21 years of age and older another venue to safely enjoy the personal use of cannabis."

A minority of adult-use states, including Alaska, Colorado, and Nevada, currently regulate social use establishments.

New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Proposed Rules for Cannabis Consumption Areas includes a summary of the proposed rules for New Jersey consumption venues.