ABSTRACT

Recently a case of marijuana induced pancreatitis was reported, marijuana contains cannabinoid compounds including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinoid, cannabidiol and terpenes. Cannabinoids activate the Cannabinoid receptors which are found in abundance in the gastrointestinal tract including the pancreas. The aim of this study was to determine the activities of serum amylase and lipase among marijuana smokers in Benin City, Edo State. Sixty marijuana smokers and 60 age-matched non-marijuana/cigarette smokers were recruited in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Serum amylase and lipase were determined using spectrophotometric method. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tool. The mean ± SD serum amylase of male (136.03±30.33) and female (108.00±19.15) marijuana smokers were significantly higher (p<0.05) than male (71.30±10.14) and female (79.14±11.73) non-smokers. Some 50/60 (83.3%) of marijuana smokers had amylase activity above the upper limit of the reference range while 38/60 (63.3%) had lipase activity above the upper limit of the reference range. Marijuana consumption may act as a trigger for pancreatic injury independent of dose and duration of consumption.