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January 23, 2025 — A new study from the University of California San Diego has revealed concerning findings about the impact of in-home cannabis smoking on children. The research, published in JAMA Network Open on January 23, 2025, suggests that smoking cannabis inside the home significantly raises the likelihood of detectable cannabis levels in children’s urine. This raises concerns about potential long-term health risks due to exposure to harmful chemicals in cannabis smoke.
In the study, researchers examined cannabis smoking practices in San Diego County, focusing on how these behaviors relate to cannabis biomarker detection in children. The team analyzed data from 275 households, specifically measuring the presence of cannabis biomarkers in the urine of the youngest child, with a median age of just three years.
The findings were stark. In households where cannabis smoking was reported indoors, 69% of children had detectable levels of cannabis biomarkers, compared to just 24% in households without in-home cannabis smoking. These figures highlight the increased odds of secondhand exposure for children living in homes where cannabis is smoked.
“While the long-term health consequences of cannabis smoke are not yet fully understood, cannabis smoke contains carcinogens, respiratory irritants, and other harmful chemicals,” said Dr. John Bellettiere, Assistant Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego. “Our study found that the odds of detectable cannabis in children were five times higher in households with reported in-home cannabis smoking.”
The study also acknowledged the role of socioeconomic factors, as many participants were recruited from low-income households participating in the Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program. Researchers cautioned that the study’s findings might not be fully representative of the broader U.S. population.
Experts suggest that young children, who spend most of their time at home, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of secondhand cannabis smoke. Dr. Osika Tripathi, a recent graduate of the UC San Diego—San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, emphasized that reducing in-home cannabis smoking could significantly reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals.
“As evidence regarding the health effects of cannabis continues to grow, adopting strategies from tobacco control—such as smoke-free laws and policies—could play a key role in protecting children’s health,” Dr. Tripathi said. “Understanding the long-term health risks of secondhand cannabis smoke exposure is a critical next step.”
While the study calls attention to the potential dangers of secondhand cannabis smoke, it is important to note that the research does not yet provide definitive conclusions about the full scope of health risks for children exposed to cannabis smoke over time.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on a study published in JAMA Network Open and highlights the potential risks of secondhand cannabis smoke exposure in children. The research findings reflect the situation in specific households and may not apply universally. Further research is required to better understand the long-term health consequences of secondhand cannabis smoke exposure.
