![\"Lung](\"https:\/\/scitechdaily.com\/images\/Lung-Cancer-Tumor-Disease-Anatomy-Close.jpg\")
<\/a>Research counsel heavy marijuana smoking might elevate most cancers danger, however researchers are nonetheless working to grasp the long-term results and the function of dosage.<\/strong><\/p>\n As marijuana turns into authorized in additional states, many individuals are asking whether or not it’s really secure. Whereas the hyperlink between tobacco smoking and lung most cancers is properly established, the connection between marijuana use and most cancers stays much less clear, in accordance with Brooks Udelsman, MD, a thoracic surgeon with USC<\/span> Surgery, part of Keck Medicine of USC.<\/p>\n Researchers are continuing to investigate whether marijuana smoking raises the risk of lung cancer. A recent Keck Medicine study<\/a> led by Niels Kokot, MD, an otolaryngologist with the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology \u2013 Head and Neck Surgery, found that heavy marijuana smokers may face a greater risk of both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.<\/p>\n Another study<\/a> led by Dr. Kokot found that people who use marijuana daily are 3.5 to 5 times more likely to develop head and neck cancers compared to nonusers. These cancers include those affecting the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oropharynx (tongue and tonsils and back wall of the throat), and nearby salivary glands.<\/p>\n As studies continue, Dr. Udelsman says one major unanswered question is how much marijuana use increases cancer risk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we don\u2019t know right now is the dose relationship,\u201d he says. \u201cSo, if someone smokes marijuana occasionally once a week, once a month, or a few times a year, do they still have that same risk? My suspicion is that there is probably minimal risk. All we know right now is that people who smoke a lot of marijuana\u2014to the point that they develop a dependency on it or require hospital care or evaluation for it\u2014do appear to have a higher cancer risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Researchers are also examining whether marijuana use could be linked to other cancers, including bladder and gastrointestinal cancers, Dr. Udelsman says.<\/p>\n \u201cWith tobacco, we do see an increased prevalence of bladder cancer. Whether that relationship is also the same for heavy marijuana smoking, we don\u2019t know,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re trying to determine what the risks are so that people can know what risks they\u2019re taking,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not,\u201d says Dr. Udelsman. \u201cThe risk is harder to track because there isn\u2019t a lot of data on it yet, but as of now there does not seem to be a relationship between edibles and lung cancer. We don\u2019t yet know if there is a link to other types of cancers, however.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Udelsman says anything that causes long-term inflammation can raise cancer risk. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, around 70 of which are linked to cancer. Some of those same chemicals are also found in marijuana smoke.<\/p>\n He adds that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), marijuana\u2019s main psychoactive ingredient, is connected to the conversion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs may trigger inflammation and damage DNA<\/span>. \u201cAnytime inflammation and changes to DNA occur, you\u2019re at risk for developing cancer,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n There is not enough evidence yet to confirm a direct link between secondhand marijuana smoke and lung cancer. However, Dr. Udelsman says breathing in secondhand smoke could still increase risk because it exposes people to inflammatory particles associated with cancer development.<\/p>\n The two primary forms of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.<\/p>\n Small cell lung cancer is strongly associated with tobacco smoking and may also be connected to marijuana smoking, Dr. Udelsman says. \u201cIt\u2019s almost unheard of to get small cell lung cancer without some type of inhalational injury,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Researchers have also found higher rates of non-small cell lung cancer among people who smoke either tobacco or marijuana compared to nonsmokers. \u201cWe also see an increase in non-small cell lung cancer in smokers of both tobacco and marijuana, so both types are increased when compared to nonsmokers,\u201d Dr. Udelsman says.<\/p>\n Vaping marijuana may carry risks as well, although researchers still do not have enough long-term data to determine whether it directly causes lung cancer. When vaping products first became popular, many people assumed vaping tobacco was safer than smoking traditional cigarettes. However, doctors are now seeing serious inflammatory lung conditions associated with vaping. \u201cBut we are starting to see some very severe inflammatory diseases\u2014not cancers, but benign diseases\u2014from vaping,\u201d Dr. Udelsman says.<\/p>\n Because vaping has only been common for about 15 years, researchers say more time is needed to understand whether vaping tobacco or marijuana contributes to lung cancer, since the disease often develops over decades.<\/p>\n \u201cThe data on vaping is very new, so we don\u2019t know yet, but I\u2019d worry about anything you\u2019re breathing into your lungs because it infiltrates the cells and air sacs in your lungs, which can cause damage and put you at a higher risk for cancer,\u201d Dr. Udelsman says.<\/p>\n Dr. Udelsman says occasional recreational marijuana use is unlikely to create a major public health crisis involving lung cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cI worry less about occasional use and the slight inflammation that it might cause for a temporary period. Your body probably recovers from that very quickly, with very little damage,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m more worried about chronic, heavy exposure: people who are using marijuana every day, multiple times a day. That\u2019s where I think you can start to build up injury. Those are the people data today shows are at risk for developing cancer, similar to tobacco.\u201d<\/p>\n People who smoke marijuana heavily should talk with their doctor about their risk factors and whether additional medical evaluation may be appropriate.<\/p>\n Reference: \u201cAssociation of cannabis<\/span> use and lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study\u201d by Tyler J. Gallagher, Niels C. Kokot, Joshua Lopez, Eddie Rodriguez, Brooks V. Udelsman, Sean C. Wightman, Scott M. Atay, Takashi Harano, Graeme M. Rosenberg, Jorge J. Nieva and Anthony W. Kim, 22 April 2026, Lung Cancer<\/i>. Never miss a breakthrough: Join the SciTechDaily newsletter.<\/a><\/b><\/a>Heavy Marijuana Use and Lung Cancer Concerns<\/h4>\n
Is marijuana intake through non-smoking methods (consuming edibles, etc.) also associated with a risk of getting lung cancer?<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Which components in marijuana smoke can cause cancer?<\/h4>\n
Is secondhand marijuana smoke also linked to lung cancer?<\/h4>\n
Are certain types of lung cancer more common with smoking marijuana?<\/h4>\n
Does vaping marijuana cause lung cancer?<\/h4>\n
How much marijuana smoking is dangerous?<\/h4>\n
DOI: 10.1016\/j.lungcan.2026.109421<\/a><\/p>\n
Follow us on Google<\/a> and Google News<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n