Starting the conference Niall Coogans from the University of Strathclyde, presented a paper investigating the dangers of long-term cannabis use. No previous study has found clear evidence to suggest there might be any such harm, save damage to respiratory functions. But since more people are smoking more cannabis for longer further investigation remains necessary.
About 400 participants were selected for this study, most of whom smoked daily and all of whom had used cannabis for at least ten years. They had an average age of 33, were male and female and rich and poor and they used other drugs – especially alcohol and tobacco – so were fairly representative of the long-term user.
The main conclusions found were that cannabis had some potential for harm when used over a long period. As found with previous studies, the harm was mostly confined to respiratory problems. Interestingly, the potential for harm remained the same regardless whether participants consumed a little or a lot of cannabis over this period.
