Special report Pt. 2: A look at marijuana’s health impacts

When it comes to the health impacts of soon-to-be-legal marijuana, long-time smokers and those who say it greatly relieves their pain have one view of its benefits, while some health professions have raised concerns about the long-term impacts.

July 1st is the official date of marijuana legalization here in Oregon.

According to the Thoracic Society, marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the world. And after tobacco, it’s the second most commonly smoked substance.

Dr. Jamie Conklin, a pulmonologist at St. Charles Bend, says it’s too early to tell whether it’s safe or not.

“We haven’t had good data for 20, 30, 50 years,” Conklin said. “Part of that is in the past, people who smoked marijuana smoked cigarettes. So it was hard to separate one use from the other.”

Conklin says just like tobacco, it’s a substance you burn and inhale, which is a common cause of bronchitis, the biggest long-term effect.

If you’re consuming marijuana through edibles, Dr. Ruperto Vallarta, a pediatrician at St. Charles Redmond, says it poses a huge risk to children.

The way edibles are displayed, like candy and cupcakes, creates a danger if a child were to consume it.

“That’s actually the problem our neighboring states are facing — an increase in emergency room visits, increase in calls in the poison control center because of these edibles. So that’s really scary,” Vallarta said.

Smoking marijuana can impact development at a young age, some experts say.

Vallarta says there are short- and long-term effects. He says from 11 years of age to our mid 20s, our brains are still developing.

“There’s a part of our brain that is still developing. That’s the pre-frontal cortex. Imagine if you’re using marijuana — that could affect a teenager’s judgement or decision making,” Vallarta said.

A new cannabis testing lab recently opened in Bend. Synergy Lab tests for levels of THC, pesticides and other harmful or helpful ingredients to avoid overdosing or under-dosing.

Owner Darren Puziss says it’s important to test for it, so there’s quality control.

“People will know what’s in their medicine. People will know how much THC and how much they need to dose themselves with. It’s also important people don’t overdose,” Puziss said.

Jeremy Campbell, chief technical officer of Synergy Lab, says it’s a safety factor. Potential contamination in edibles, extracts and flowers can be extremely detrimental to medical marijuana users since they’re already immuno-compromised.

“Ingesting these types of substances, which are known to be toxic at higher levels, could be more dangerous for them,” Campbell said.

Synergy Lab can give the tested marijuana a failing grade, based on the level of harmful substances, but cannot give it a pass or fail based on its potency. After passing the test, the marijuana can be sold in Oregon dispensaries.

Michael Hewes of Redmond says he’s been smoking marijuana since he was 14 years old. Today, he is 68, and still feels it’s helping him deal with pain.

“I had polio when I was 4 years old, and I’m really paying for that now,” Hewes said. “But it helps a lot for my pain. It’s been helping a lot.”

Robert Harris, 32, also of Redmond, received his medical marijuana card for a back injury eight years ago. He said the doctor recommended surgery, but medicinal marijuana was a cheaper and easier option.

“My pain is 100 percent manageable with medical marijuana,” he said. “So I go to the doctor and see him once a year — get a couple CAT scans, and he’s said, ‘Nothing’s changed, but it’s not seeming to get any worse.'”

Both Hewes and Harris say they smoke marijuana at least four or five times a day.

Conklin says it’s easier to adjust when you’re older.

“The biggest research (finding) is, people who’ve used it when they’re young, and then use it when they’re older, tend to tolerate it better,” he said.

But the long-term health risks are still unknown.

“The one concern I would have as a health care provider: If someone uses large quantities that you’re suggesting, 20 years down the road — what (impact) does that have? I don’t know,” Conklin said.

Another factor to consider, when weighing marijuana’s health and other impacts: Tests presented at a Colorado meeting of the American Chemical Society showed the levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, have increased by at least three times, compared to levels seen 20 or 30 years ago. That also will have an impact on research into the drug’s effects.