ABSTRACT
The physiopathological effects of marihuana smoke and of its constituent cannabinoids were reported first from in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. Marihuana smoke is mutagenic in the Ames test and in tissue culture and cannabinoids inhibit biosynthesis of macromolecules. Exposure of animals to THC or marihuana produces symptoms of neurobehavioral toxicity, disruptive effects on all phases of gonadal or reproductive function and is fetotoxic. Smoke inhalation produces symptoms of airway obstruction and squamous metaplasia- Ten years after completion of these experimental studies, clinical manifestation of marihuana physiopathology are now reported. These include: long term impairment of memory storage in adolescents; prolonged impairment of psychomotor performance, resulting in lethal train and car accidents; residual impairment of plane piloting; a six fold increase in incidence of schizophrenia; cancer of mouth, jaw, tongue and lung in 19 to 30 year old; non-lymphoblastic leukemia in children from marihuana smoking mother and fetotoxicity.
