How Cannabis Could Affect Your Health at Every Age: From Fertility to Aging

Cannabis use may be more than a personal lifestyle choice, as emerging research suggests potential health impacts across different stages of life, from fertility issues and cancer risks to accelerated aging. New findings describe cannabis as “genotoxic,” meaning it can harm genetic information within cells, potentially influencing both current users and future generations. This groundbreaking research calls for a broader view of cannabis health effects, especially as legalization expands across the U.S.

One area of concern is cannabis’ impact on reproductive health. The study, published in Addiction Biology, highlights how genetic changes caused by cannabis use may be transmitted to offspring through damaged egg and sperm cells. According to Dr. Stuart Reece of the University of Western Australia, this could mean that DNA mutations from cannabis use affect not only the user but also their children and possibly grandchildren.

This generational transmission of cellular damage could influence fertility and increase birth defects, posing new questions about cannabis’ long-term reproductive risks. For men, cannabis use has also been linked to an increased risk of testicular cancer, a condition that can impact young and middle-aged men. Although previous research on this cancer-cannabis connection has been mixed, Dr. Reece suggests that weak study designs and the rapid rise in cannabis potency could be factors contributing to the lack of consensus.

Cannabis appears to have significant effects on cellular aging as well. Reece’s research suggests that regular cannabis use could speed up biological aging processes by up to 30% in a single decade. This effect is thought to occur because cannabinoids, the active chemicals in marijuana, interfere with mitochondria, which are crucial for cellular energy production. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to chromosomal damage, which not only affects overall cellular health but may also accelerate aging.

A study published in Science revealed that mitochondrial damage contributes to chromosomal instability, leading to conditions commonly associated with aging, such as wrinkles, reduced energy, and even heightened cancer risks. Although this particular study didn’t focus specifically on cannabis, Reece’s findings support that cannabis-induced mitochondrial damage could have similar consequences.

The link between cannabis use and cancer remains controversial, but this study argues that the relationship warrants further attention, especially with today’s high-potency marijuana strains. In recent decades, THC levels in cannabis have risen dramatically, which may amplify risks that were less apparent in studies conducted during the 1970s and 1980s.

Some data indicate that regular cannabis users may face increased risks for certain cancers, especially in reproductive organs. With more potent strains now widely available, these risks may be even more significant, suggesting that long-term users could be vulnerable to both cancer and cellular damage.

With cannabis legalized for recreational use in 24 states and medically approved in many others, Reece’s study suggests a reframing of the legalization discussion. Instead of viewing cannabis as a matter of personal choice, it may be necessary to consider its broader health implications.

The possibility of generational health impacts raises questions about societal costs and long-term healthcare consequences. Voters in states like Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota recently decided against legalization, possibly in light of these ongoing health debates.

As cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding its effects on health across the lifespan—from fertility and cancer risks to accelerated aging—may help consumers make more informed decisions about its use. Future research will be essential in clarifying these potential risks and in guiding public policy as the landscape of cannabis use continues to evolve.

Could learning about cannabis' possible impact on fertility and aging change your stance on legalization?