Mutagenicity, developmental toxicity and carcinogenicity of cannabis

Data on the mutagenicity, developmental toxicity and carcinogenicity of can nabis are reviewed in this article. The available evidence on the possible mutagenic effects of cannabinoids is still inconclusive. there is no consen sus on the induction of point mutations, while some experimental results su ggest that cannabinoids may cause chromosomal damage. Concerning the develo pmental effects of cannabis, an increased embryolethality and somatic growt h retardation have been observed in animals, as well as changes in motor be haviour, after perinatal exposure to cannabinoids. An elevated risk for inf ertility has been suggested for women smoking marijuana. On the other hand, intrauterine exposure to cannabinoids may be followed by changes of behavi our later in childhood. Finally, the experimental work concerning the possi ble carcinogenic action of cannabinoids has shown that cannabis acts as a t umour promotor in animals. Epidemiological studies have incriminated cannab is smoking for the development of head and neck carcinomas and for carcinom as of the respiratory tract in humans, but several confounding factors have rendered this evidence inconclusive. At least part of the great popularity of cannabis smoking is due to the widespread belief that it is harmless. H owever, the studies presented in this review show that, despite their low a cute toxicity profile, cannabinoids represent several risks in terms of chr onic toxicity.