BOSTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The active component of marijuana could enhance the ability of the virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma to infect cells and multiply, said a U.S. study.
Study author Dr. Jerome E. Groopman, of the Harvard Medical School, found low doses of A-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, equivalent to that in the bloodstream of an average marijuana smoker, could be enough to facilitate infection of skin cells and could even coax these cells into malignancy.
While most people are not at risk from Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus, the researchers say those with lowered immune systems, such as AIDS patients or transplant recipients, are more susceptible to developing the sarcoma as a result of infection.
Their findings, reported in Cancer Research, offer cautionary evidence that those with weakened immune systems should speak with their doctors before using marijuana medicinally or recreationally.
"These findings raise some serious questions about using marijuana, in any form, if you have a weakened immune system," Groopman said in a statement.
