A recent study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine reveals that individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) face a staggering 325% increased risk of developing oral cancer within five years compared to those without the disorder.

The research highlights that cannabis smoke contains carcinogenic compounds similar to those found in tobacco smoke, which can harm oral tissues and potentially contribute to this increased cancer risk.

In fact, the incidence of oral cancer was observed to be 0.74% among patients with CUD, compared to just 0.23% in those without the disorder.

As of 2022, around 17.7 million people reported daily or near-daily cannabis use, with estimates suggesting that approximately 30% of these users may develop CUD.

Within the study cohort, which included over 45,000 adults screened for drug use disorders, 949 individuals (2.1%) developed CUD during the follow-up period.

Despite cannabis being perceived as safer than tobacco or alcohol, the study underscores the need for further investigation into its health risks, particularly concerning cancer.

This research brings to light significant long-term health risks associated with problematic cannabis use, especially in the context of increasing societal acceptance of cannabis.

Interestingly, the study suggests that the connection between CUD and oral cancer persists even when controlling for smoking status, indicating that other factors, such as the immune-suppressing effects of THC, may also play a role.

The findings emphasize the need for improved cancer screening practices and public health messaging about the long-term effects of cannabis use, as well as integrating oral health awareness into treatment for substance use disorders.

After adjusting for variables like age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status, the association between CUD and oral cancer remained significant, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.25.

Moreover, tobacco smokers with CUD exhibited a 624% increased likelihood of developing oral cancer within five years compared to their counterparts without CUD.

The cohort for this analysis consisted of 45,129 adults who had no prior oral cancer diagnosis at the time of screening, providing a robust foundation for these findings.