Pubdate: Tue, 03 Feb 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Kristen Wyatt, Associated Press

POT USE DOUBLES CRASH RISK

Colorado Publishes Review of Marijuana Health Research

Colorado released a sweeping report Monday about marijuana and health 
- - everything from pot's effect on drivers to asthma, cancer rates and 
birth defects.

The 188- page report doesn't include new research on marijuana. 
Instead, it's a review of what its authors call limited existing studies.

The report looks at studies showing that risk of a motor vehicle 
crash doubles among drivers with recent marijuana use, and that heavy 
use of marijuana is associated with impaired memory.

Other highlights from the report:

In adults, heavy use of marijuana is associated with impaired memory, 
persisting a week or more after quitting.

Maternal use of marijuana during pregnancy is associated with 
negative effects on exposed offspring, including decreased academic 
ability, cognitive function and attention.

Regular marijuana use by adolescents and young adults is strongly 
associated with developing psychotic symptoms and disorders such as 
schizophrenia in adulthood.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment review was 
ordered by state lawmakers. A panel of doctors met for several months 
to compile the survey, which was delivered to lawmakers last week.

The report also lays out areas where there is limited evidence, or 
where research is lacking.

For example, the report found insufficient evidence to say how long 
after smoking pot a person is impaired. Other areas of scanty research:

Doctors noted there is little available research on the health 
effects of edible or concentrated marijuana.

Marijuana smoke contains "many of the same cancer-causing chemicals 
as tobacco smoke." But doctors noted there is "limited" or "mixed" 
evidence to suggest pot smoking is associated with greater risk of 
lung cancer or other respiratory health effects.

The doctors suggested additional education about the health effects 
of marijuana and asked for increased public-health surveys about how 
people use pot.

Researchers noted that because marijuana use was illegal nationwide 
until 1996 - when California voters approved the first medical uses 
for pot-research is extremely limited. Marijuana research has 
historically looked for adverse effects, not possible health benefits.

"This legal fact introduces both funding bias and publication bias 
into the body of literature related to marijuana use," authors noted.

Last year, Colorado funded eight studies to examine possible health 
benefits of marijuana, including treatment for seizures, Parkinson's 
disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Those studies, totaling 
about $ 8 million, may not have results for several years.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom