A drug derived from marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), formulated in sesame oil and
encapsulated in soft gelatin capsules (Marinol(R); Roxane), is currently available as a prescription drug for
the treatment of two diseases or conditions. It is indicated for the treatment
of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and for the AIDS
wasting syndrome. The marijuana plant in smokeable
form is available to ten patients in the
While most of the research on water
filtration has focused on tobacco smoke, the work with marijuana smoke has
revealed that, except for their respective psychoactive components (nicotine
and cannabinoids), both smokes share many common
constituents and physical properties. Many of the results obtained from studies
of tobacco smoke are applicable to marijuana smoke.
In the late 1970's, a group based at the
University of Athens Medical School (Greece) conducted a series of chemical and
pharmacological studies on marijuana and tobacco smoke.1-4 These
scientists tested smoke that had been filtered through a water pipe and also
tested the water itself, which contained both soluble and insoluble compounds.
Chemical analysis revealed many different compounds in the smoke and in the
water, as expected from the combustion of plant materials. The water did trap
some THC, as well as other psychoactive compounds, however, most of the THC
present in the marijuana passed through the water pipe unchanged.
Pharmacological tests (in mice) revealed that some of the water-trapped
marijuana compounds were responsible for producing catatonia and for
suppressing spontaneous motor activity. In contrast, the water-filtered smoke
itself did not affect spontaneous motor activity and did not induce catatonia,
though it was richer in THC. These results indicate that water filtration
removes some behaviorally active compounds in preference to others; this may be
important when comparing the therapeutic effects of whole marijuana smoke to
water-filtered smoke.
Research has shown that water filtration
reduces both the amount of particulate matter and the number and quantity of
toxic substances in the smoke that passes through it. In a 1963 study by
Hoffman et al.,5 the water pipe was found to retain 90% of
the phenol and 50% of the particulate matter and benzo-a-pyrene of the original tobacco
smoke. In another study,6 tobacco smoke components that were passed
through a water pipe showed only a minor hyperplasic reaction and no sebaceous
gland destruction when they were painted onto mouse skin. (The application of
substances to mouse skin to assess carcinogenic potential is a classic
toxicological test; the induction of abnormal cell proliferation [hyperplasia]
is a red flag.) In contrast, tobacco smoke condensate that was not
water-filtered induced strong hyperplasia and complete sebaceous gland
destruction when applied to mouse skin in the same concentration. Salem and Sami,7
also using the mouse skin test, showed that there was a significant reduction
of carcinogenic potential in water-filtered smoke compared to the water
remaining in the pipe i.e., the water-trapped material was more
carcinogenic than the smoke that passed through it. Indeed, when analyzed by
thin layer chromatography, two carcinogenic agents were identified in the water
itself, while only one was identified in the water filtered smoke. Therefore,
water filtration removes at least two known carcinogens that would normally be
found in the smoke.
Recently, Dr. Gary Huber at the University of
Texas and colleagues from Harvard's School of Public Health conducted a
cellular toxicity study of marijuana and tobacco smoke.8 This
research group showed that passing marijuana or tobacco smoke through water, or
even exposing the smoke to a wetted surface of about 48 square inches,
effectively removed substances (acrolein and
acetaldehyde) which are toxic to alveolar macrophages. Alveolar macrophages are
one of the major defense cells of the lung and are an important component of
the immune system. When the macrophages were exposed to smoke that was not
water filtered, there was a marked impairment of their capacity to kill
bacteria. When the smoke was water-filtered, however, there was no reduction in
the bactericidal ability of the macrophages, suggesting that marijuana smoke
that has been passed through sufficient water will have less impact on the
immune system than marijuana smoke that has not been water-filtered. This
intriguing finding would be of particular importance when treating patients
with the AIDS wasting syndrome.
The laboratory results discussed above
parallel what is known from studying human tobacco-smoking populations. Thus,
there is substantial epidemiological evidence that among tobacco smokers, those
who smoke through a water pipe have a much lower incidence of carcinoma than
those who smoke cigarettes or smoke a "regular" pipe or cigars.6,7,9,10
In summary, it appears that water filtration can be effective in removing components from marijuana smoke that are known toxicants, while allowing the THC to pass through relatively intact. The effectiveness of toxicant removal is related to the smoke's water contact area. Specially designed water pipes, incorporating particulate filters and gas dispersion frits would likely be most effective in this regard; the gas dispersion frit serves to break up the smoke into very fine bubbles, thereby increasing its water contact area. While individuals vary greatly in their smoking technique, state of health, dosing regimen, and so on, it seems that many patients could benefit from the use of water pipes to deliver THC. This would allow patients to titrate their dose easily while reducing the health hazard associated with smoke.
1) Spronck, H.J.W.;
2) Alikaridis,Ph.; Michael,C.M.; Papadakis,D.P.; Kephalas, T.A.; Kiburis,J.
Scientific Research on Cannabis. No. 55. Chemical
aspects of cannabis smoke produced through water pipes. United
Nations Secretariat ST/SOA/SER.S/55, GE. 77-7339, 1-9 (
3) Savaki,H.E.; Cunha,J.; Carlini,E.A.; Kephalas, T.A. Pharmacological activity of three fractions
obtained by smoking cannabis through a water pipe. Bulletin on Narcotics, 28,
49-56 (1976)
4) Lazaratou,H.; Moschovakis,A.; Armagandis,A.; Kapsambelis, V.; Kiburis,J.; Kephalas, T.A. The pharmacological effect of fractions obtained by smoking
cannabis through a water pipe. II. A second fractionation step. Experientia, 36, 1407-1408 (1980)
5) Hoffman, D.; Rathkamp,
G.; Wynder, E.L. Comparison of the yields of several
selected components in the smoke from different tobacco products. Journal of
the National Cancer Institute, 31, 627-635 (1963)
6)
7)
8) Huber, G.L.; First, M.W.; Grubner, O. Marijuana and tobacco smoke gas-phase cytotoxins. Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior, 40,
629-636 (1991)
9) Lubin,J.H.; Li,
J.-Y.; Xuan, X.-Z.; Cai,S.K.;
Luo, Q.-S.; Yang, L.-F.; Wang, J.-Z.; Yang,L.; Blot, W.J. Risk of lung cancer among cigarette and
pipe smokers in Southern China. International Journal of Cancer, 51,
390-395 (1992)
10) Srivastava,
Y.C. Oral Leukoplakia. International Surgery, 58,
614-618 (1973)
Acknowledgement:
This study was supported by a grant from MAPS
email: st.maps@cybernetics.net (Sylvia Thyssen,
Network Coordinator)
Copyright © 1995 by Nicholas V. Cozzi, Ph.D. This document may be freely copied
and distributed, subject to the following limitations: 1) This document must be
copied in its entirety, without modifications; 2) This
document may NOT be copied for commercial purposes.
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