Drug Watch International

MARIJUANA RESEARCH REVIEW

Fungal sinus infection associated with marijuana use

Marijuana smoke is often contaminated by the fungus, aspergillus, (Kagen et al, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol.71, pp. 389-393, 1983). A report by these authors showed that 11 of 12 samples they tested demonstrated various species of the fungus, aspergillus. It then was of great interest when Brummund, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 256, pp. 3249-3253, 1 986, reported cases of allergic sinus infection with the same fungus from the recreational use of contaminated marijuana.

Commentary:  Fungal sinus infections can be very difficult to treat and can lead to destruction of the sinuses with involvement of the brain and central nervous system. ##

Marijuana implicated in fatal fungal infection

A 34-year-old man who had undergone a bone marrow transplant for chronic leukemia was reported to have developed a fatal disseminated fungal infection associated with a contaminated batch of marijuana cigarettes used heavily for several weeks prior to his admission to the hospital (Chest vol.94/2, pp.432-433, 1988).

Commentary:  Noting that "Invasive aspergillosis has become a significant cause of death in immunosuppressed patients" The authors, Hamadeh and associates, reported the case so that physicians would be aware of this potentially lethal complication of marijuana use in compromised hosts such as patients with AIDS or malignancies.

Aspergillus spores are found throughout the environment in soil, air, and vegetable matter, including tobacco and marijuana. However, smoking contaminated plant material, puts a concentration of the fungi directly into the lungs and blood stream placing smokers/patients without intact immune systems at extreme risk. ##

Marijuana use impairs function in all areas

Psychological tests measuring intelligence, memory, and other mental functions, were given to 26 heavy cannabis users and compared with a control group by Varma reported in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence ,vol. 21, pp.147-152, 1988. A heavy cannabis user was defined as a person consuming cannabis for five years, 20 or more times per month, with a daily intake equivalent to 150 mg of delta-9 THC, 3 to 5 joints depending on the concentration.

Commentary: These authors found that the cannabis users, with an average of 6.8 years of use, were found to react very slowly in performing motor tasks, but more importantly, suffered disability in personal, social, and vocational areas. They also indicated a higher score for neurotic and psychotic behavior. This is consistent with several other recent studies linking marijuana smoking to behavioral problems. ##

Marijuana smoking linked to increased lung damage

Marijuana smoke is known to be as irritating as tobacco smoke. Research by Barbers and associates American Review of Respiratory Diseases, vol. 135, pp.1271-1275, 1987, showed that smoking of both marijuana and tobacco caused the small oxygen exchang­ing parts of the lung to shed inflammatory cells. The smoking of marijuana and tobacco together increased this reaction significantly above smoking either drug alone, and marijuana caused an adverse effect on the lungs that was independent of and additive to that of tobacco. 19 healthy non-smokers and 43 healthy smokers of tobacco and/or marijuana took part in the study.

Commentary: None of these individuals had any previous history of chronic lung disease. These lung inflammatory changes are early findings in individuals who go on to develop malignancy, chronic infection, and emphy­sema in their lungs. ##

Pre-employment screening for marijuana use makes good economic sense

Zwerling and associates, in the Journal of the American Medicine Association, vol.264, pp.2639-2643, 1 990, present a prospective controlled study of the association between pre-employment drug screening tests and adverse employment outcomes in 2,537 postal employees. "This was a blind study: the employees, hiring officials, medical personnel and management officials did not know the results of the urine drug screens at any time during the study. The study was designed to detect and measure any association between the presence of marijuana and/or or cocaine on a pre-employment drug screen and employment outcomes such as employee turnover, absenteeism, accidents, injuries, and discipline."

Commentary: The purpose of the study was to substantiate or disprove claims that drug-abusing employees have substantially more accidents at work, many more compensable injuries, and use significantly more sick leave than those who do not use illicit drugs.

The study showed that marijuana users had "55% more industrial accidents, 85% more injuries and a 78% increase in absenteeism." It also showed that cocaine users had a 145% increase in absenteeism and an 85% increase in injuries. The mean absence rate from the job was 7.1% for marijuana users compared to 4% for non-users.

The study showed that pre-employment drug screens positive for marijuana and cocaine were associated with significant adverse employment outcome supporting the use of such screening for economic and health reasons. ##

Marijuana continues to be available for scientific research

Since the 1970's more than 10,500 scientific studies have been conducted on marijuana. The marijuana (cannabis) used in the studies is obtained from the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Mississippi, who produce a standardized marijuana specifically for research. Material to be used in clinical trials is shipped to Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina where it is processed into marijuana cigarettes. It is then made available for Researchers following proper protocol and paperwork filed with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in that form. Questions regarding the availability of marijuana should be directed to Dr. Rao Rapaka or Dr. Paul Hillery at NIDA (301-443-4250). ##

Per Mahmoud A. EISohIy, Ph.D., Project Director,
NIDA  Marijuana Project. 4/1/9  

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Material used in this publication has been has been reviewed and commented on by William M. Bennett, M.D., Professor, Chief of Nephrology, Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon.  

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