High levels of dangerous metals like lead and cadmium found in exclusive marijuana users

Recreational poisoning!

"... cannabis plant is known to accumulate metals found in water, soil, fertilizers and pesticides. ...
After adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity and education, the researchers found higher levels of cadmium and lead in the blood and urine of participants reporting exclusive marijuana use when compared with non-marijuana/non-tobacco use. Cadmium and lead levels were also higher in exclusive marijuana users who’d reported using the drug within the last seven days, with metal levels falling with increased time since last use. ...
In terms of limitations, the researchers recognize that their study did not include how the marijuana was used, such as vape, combustibles and edibles, so they were unable to determine the difference in metal concentrations by method of use. ..."

"... Marijuana is the third most commonly used drug in the world behind tobacco and alcohol. As of 2022, 21 states and Washington D.C., covering more than 50 percent of the U.S. population, have legalized recreational use of marijuana; and medical marijuana is legal in 38 states and Washington D.C. However, because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, regulation of contaminants in all cannabis-containing products remains piecemeal and there has been no guidance from federal regulatory agencies like the FDA or EPA. As of 2019, 48.2 million people, or 18 percent of Americans, report using marijuana at least once in the last year.
While 28 states regulate inorganic arsenic, cadmium, lead, and total mercury concentrations in marijuana products, regulation limits vary by metal and by state. ..."

From the abstract:

"Abstract

Background:

Marijuana is the third most used drug in the world.

Objectives:

Because the cannabis plant is a known scavenger of metals, we hypothesized that individuals who use marijuana will have higher metal biomarker levels compared with those who do not use.

Methods:

We combined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2018) for 7,254n=7,254

 participants, classified by use: non-marijuana/non-tobacco, exclusive marijuana, exclusive tobacco, and dual marijuana and tobacco use. Five metals were measured in blood and 16 in urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; urinary metals were adjusted for urinary creatinine.

Results:

Participants reporting exclusive marijuana use compared with non-marijuana/non-tobacco use had statistically significantly higher mean cadmium levels in blood [1.22 micrograms per liter1.22μg/L (95% CI: 1.11, 1.34); less than 0.001p<0.001] and urine [1.18 micrograms per gram1.18μg/g (95% CI: 1.0, 1.31);  0.004p=0.004] and statistically significantly higher mean lead levels in blood [1/27 micrograms per deciliter1.27μg/dL  (95% CI: 1.07, 1.50); 0.006p=0.006 ] and urine [1.21 micrograms per gram1.21μg/g  (95% CI: negative 0.006−0.006, 1.50); 0.058p=0.058].

Discussion:

Our results suggest marijuana is a source of cadmium and lead exposure. Research regarding cannabis use and cannabis contaminants, particularly metals, should be conducted to address public health concerns related to the growing number of cannabis users. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12074"

High levels of dangerous metals found in exclusive marijuana users A new study has found that people who exclusively use marijuana have higher levels of potentially dangerous metals in their blood and urine than those who don’t. The findings suggest that marijuana may be an overlooked source of metal exposure, an important consideration given the rise in its use.

Blood and Urinary Metal Levels High among Exclusive Marijuana Users

Blood and Urinary Metal Levels among Exclusive Marijuana Users in NHANES (2005–2018) (open access)