Project 454884

The United Nations World Drug Report estimates that over 180 million individuals use cannabis with 90% of users preferring smoking as a delivery route. Cannabis smokers have a higher incidence of coughing and chronic bronchitis relative to non-smokers, symptoms that are shared with tobacco smokers. Respiratory viral infections are more common in tobacco smokers, with greater influenza-related morbidity and mortality occurring in this population. Whether cannabis smokers are similarly susceptible to influenza infections remains unclear. This is important as influenza results in 250,000-500,000 global deaths annually. Our goal is to determine the impact of cannabis smoke on antiviral immunity and the mortality associated with viral infection. Using diverse cannabis strains available under a Health Canada approved license, we plan to expose human lung cells and animal models to cannabis smoke and assess their response to influenza A infection. Our approach will provide modern evidence to inform health policy, by defining the impact of cannabis smoke on antiviral responses as well as mortality risks associated with influenza A infection.