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ANN KENEVAN on October 17, 2024

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ANN KENEVAN

In Willie’s own words, “There’s been a lot of talk about marijuana being harmless, but I think it’s a lot more dangerous to the lungs than most dope smokers realize. Especially the strong marijuana that’s around these days. Each year it seems to get a little stronger…your lungs are not really suppos... View MoreIn Willie’s own words, “There’s been a lot of talk about marijuana being harmless, but I think it’s a lot more dangerous to the lungs than most dope smokers realize. Especially the strong marijuana that’s around these days. Each year it seems to get a little stronger…your lungs are not really supposed to breath anything but oxygen – pure, fresh air.” Marijuana and the Lungs Marijuana smoke is also an irritant to the lungs, and frequent marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems experienced by people who smoke tobacco. These include coughing and phlegm production on most days, wheezing, bronchitis, and greater risk of lung infection, although most of these may go away after stopping smoking marijuana. Frequent marijuana smokers also have more healthcare visits both overall and for respiratory conditions compared to nonsmokers. While research has not shown a clear increase in risk for lung cancer among marijuana smokers, results have been mixed for heavy, long term use. Smoking marijuana may be associated with the formation of large air sacs in the lung, called bullae, which can lead to shortness of breath and, if they rupture, death. Similarly, there are reports of sudden lung collapse or air pockets forming between the lungs among marijuana smokers. Other Health Effects of Marijuana Marijuana has many effects on the brain. It impairs short-term memory and motor coordination; slows reaction time; alters mood, judgment and decision-making; and in some people can cause severe anxiety or loss of touch with reality. Because of these effects, marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. Marijuana also affects the heart. The heart rate is raised 20-100 percent shortly after smoking, an effect which can last up to 3 hours and put users at an increased risk of heart attack. Marijuana use can affect the general quality of the user’s life as well. Heavy marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, relationship problems and less academic and career success compared to their peers. Youth and Marijuana Marijuana use is particularly harmful to youth since the part of the brain that craves pleasure matures earlier than the area that controls our ability to understand risks and consequences. A national study by Monitoring the Future showed that in 2013 1.1% of 8th graders, 4.0% of 10th graders, and 6.5% of 12th graders reported using marijuana daily. Marijuana is highly accessible, especially to older teenagers. In 2013, 39.1% of 8th graders, 69.7% of 10th graders, and 81.4% of 12th graders reported marijuana as being fairly easy or very easy to get. Studies show that as availability increases, perception of harm decreases. The perception that there is no great risk in smoking marijuana is decreasing among youth. In 2013, 61.0% of 8th graders, 46.5% of 10th graders and 39.5% of 12th graders said there was a great risk in smoking marijuana regularly. These numbers had been steadily declining over the last five to eight years. Is it Addictive? http://www.lung.org/associations/states/colorado/tobacco/marijuana.html

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Marijuana and Lung Health www.lung.org

1 October 17, 2024

ANN KENEVAN

I READ THAT HE DOES HAVE LUNG CANCER AND HAS HAD ONE LUNG REMOVED.

1 October 17, 2024