Multiple clinical risks for cannabis users during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global public and mental health systems.
• Identifying at-risk populations, including substance users, is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.
• Increased psychoactive substance use, particularly cannabis, was observed during pandemic lockdowns.

Discussion:

• Cannabis use may compromise respiratory health, potentially increasing vulnerability to viral infections like COVID-19.
• Similarities exist between the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis smoking and tobacco smoking.
• Cannabis smoke contains toxic substances like tar, linked to lung diseases, and chemicals retained longer in the body.

Key Insights:

• Regular cannabis users might be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and its complications.
• Cannabis users are not currently recognized as a primary risk group for COVID-19, despite potential respiratory risks.
• The long-term retention of cannabis chemicals and presence of toxins warrant further investigation regarding COVID-19 outcomes.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the risks associated with cannabis use during viral pandemics.
• Clinicians require enhanced awareness of cannabis-related risks to develop specific intervention strategies.
• This population warrants increased clinical attention globally to mitigate potential health disparities during public health crises.