Cannabis and oral cancer: What science says about long-term smoking risks |

So, here’s something you probably didn’t see coming, while weed is often seen as a “healthier” alternative to smoking cigarettes, a new study just dropped some unsettling news: long-term cannabis use might significantly raise your risk of oral cancer. And not just a little. We’re talking risks comparable to regular cigarette smokers.A group of researchers wanted to dig deeper into this and found some eye-opening stuff that could change how you think about lighting up.

The new study

“A recent study by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has found that individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) are more than three times more likely to develop oral cancer within five years compared to those without CUD. The study highlights the potential long-term health risks associated with problematic cannabis use,” the University said in a statement available on its website. For the study, the researchers examined the health reports of over 45000 patients. “Cannabis smoke contains many of the same carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco smoke, which have known damaging effects on the epithelial tissue that lines the mouth,” said Raphael Cuomo, Ph.D. associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and member of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. “These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that chronic or problematic cannabis use may contribute to cancer risk in tissues exposed to combustion products.“Your mouth is more than just for ingestion of food, it’s full of sensitive tissues, blood vessels, and mucous membranes that can react badly to prolonged exposure to hot smoke, toxic compounds, or anything else that irritates the lining. When you’re smoking cannabis, you’re exposing your mouth to some of the same harmful chemicals found in tobacco. That heat and smoke combo? Yeah, it’s not doing your gums, tongue, or cheeks any favors.Researchers found that cannabis smokers were more likely to show early signs of potentially cancerous lesions, like white or red patches in the mouth. These patches may not hurt or look scary at first, but they can lead to serious trouble over time.

Cannabis vs. cigarettes: Not so different?

Here’s the kicker: while tobacco has long been blamed for causing oral cancer (and rightly so), this study suggests cannabis might not be much better, especially if you’re a frequent user. In fact, people who smoked weed at least once a week for five or more years had a markedly higher risk of developing those precancerous oral lesions.The chemicals in cannabis smoke, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds, are also found in tobacco. And guess what? Those are the very toxins that damage cells and trigger cancer growth. So if you thought weed smoke was harmless, maybe it’s time to think again.Cannabis might feel “cleaner” than cigarettes, but it’s not without risks. Oral cancer is sneaky, it can creep in without symptoms at first and become serious before you even realize something’s wrong.This study is just a reminder that while cannabis is legal and even helpful for many people, it’s not immune to the laws of biology. Your body reacts to smoke, period.