Does marijuana use have residual adverse effects on self-reported health measures, socio-demographics and quality of life? A monozygotic co-twin control study in men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of former heavy marijuana use on selected aspects of health.


METHODS
A monozygotic co-twin control design was used to compare the health of former heavy marijuana using male monozygotic twins to that of their co-twins who never used marijuana significantly.


METHODS
In-person survey and questionnaires.


METHODS
Fifty-six marijuana use discordant monozygotic twin pair members of the Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry.


METHODS
Current socio-demographic characteristics; current nicotine and alcohol use; life-time nicotine and alcohol abuse/dependence; past 5-year physical and mental health services utilization; and health-related quality of life.


RESULTS
The mean number of days on which the marijuana user twin used marijuana in his life-time was 1085, while the non-marijuana user used marijuana a maximum of 5 days. Marijuana was last used a mean of 20 years previously. No significant differences were found between the former marijuana user twins and their siblings for current socio-demographic characteristics; current nicotine or alcohol use; life-time nicotine or alcohol abuse/dependence; past 5-year out-patient or emergency room visits, hospitalizations or medication use for medical problems; past 5-year mental health out-patient use or hospitalizations; or health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous heavy marijuana use a mean of 20 years earlier by a group of men who reported no other significant illicit drug use does not appear to be associated with adverse socio-demographic, physical or mental health adverse effects. The conclusions of the study are limited by possible participation and recall biases, relatively small sample size and the absence of a physical health examination.
Research and Medical Service, St Louis VAMC and Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis 63106, USA. seisen@im.wustl.edu
Seth A
SA
Eisen
Sunanta
S
Chantarujikapong
Hong
H
Xian
Michael J
MJ
Lyons
Rosemary
R
Toomey
William R
WR
True
Jeffrey F
JF
Scherrer
Jack
J
Goldberg
Ming T
MT
Tsuang
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic