Marijuana Smoke Inhalation and Potential Micronutrient Deficiencies among Nigerian Smokers

The impact of marijuana use on the micronutrient status remains largely unexplored.  This knowledge gap may hinder the development of comprehensive public health strategies and interventions aimed at promoting optimal nutritional status among marijuana users. This study aimed to determine serum levels of vitamins E and C, magnesium, zinc, copper, and copper-to zinc ratio among marijuana smokers. Serum zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin E, and C were assayed in 60 regular marijuana users and 60 non-users of marijuana using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric and spectrophotometric methods respectively. Only individuals who tested positive for the presence of cannabinoids in their urine using cannabis test strips were recruited. The data generated were compared using Students' paired t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% confidence intervals and at a 5% level of significance (p<0.05). Serum zinc, vitamin C, and E were significantly lower (p<0.001), while copper was higher among marijuana smokers than non-smokers. Copper-to- zinc ratio was significantly higher (p<0.001) in marijuana smokers compared to non-smokers. There was no significant difference in serum levels of magnesium between marijuana smokers and non-smokers. Serum zinc, vitamins C and E decreased while serum copper increased with increasing duration of marijuana usage (p<0.05), but the differences in magnesium levels were insignificant. Findings indicated significant differences in micro-nutrient levels among marijuana consumers compared to non-users, with lower zinc, vitamin C, and E and increased copper levels. The increased copper-to-zinc ratio in marijuana users suggests an imbalance that could have broader health implications.