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Eisen SA, Chantarujikapong S, Xian H, Lyons MJ, Toomey R, True WR, Scherrer JF, Goldberg J, Tsuang MT. 
“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.”. 
Addiction. 2002 Aug 29;97(9):1137-44.
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  • Eisen SA
  • Chantarujikapong S
  • Xian H
  • Lyons MJ
  • Toomey R
  • True WR
  • Scherrer JF
  • Goldberg J
  • Tsuang MT
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  • Erowid RefID: 5925
  • PubMedID: 12199829
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    Abstract
    AIMS: To assess the effects of former heavy marijuana use on selected aspects of health.


    DESIGN: 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.


    SETTING: In-person survey and questionnaires.


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


    MEASUREMENTS: 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.


    FINDINGS: 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.
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