Marijuana, now most often called cannabis, use is growing. In recent years, almost 20% of the U.S. population have used cannabis, with 4% using it daily or almost daily. What is the impact on the health of regular users?

            Advocates describe better sleep, less pain, and less anxiety. Unfortunately, these benefits come at a price.

            Multiple studies have examined the association of regular cannabis use with symptoms and illness.

            I can get the good news out of the way quickly. Regular users are less likely to report nasal congestion than non-users, unlike tobacco users who report more nasal and sinus issues.

            Unfortunately, on the key major illness side, the news is not good. Regular cannabis users have more heart attacks and strokes than non-users, with even higher risk among those who use it daily or near-daily.

            Regular cannabis smokers also have dramatically more (3-4 times) head and neck cancers than non-users. The highest risk was for laryngeal cancer, but higher rates of mouth and tongue cancer are also seen.

            Middle-aged and older adults are increasingly using cannabis-based therapies (CBT) for symptoms, and this population suffers from many CBT-related side effects, including dry mouth, dizziness, balance problems, drowsiness, and confusion.

            Motor vehicle accident rates rose an average of 15% in states after recreational cannabis use was legalized, and the best evidence we have suggests that regular cannabis use is associated with a roughly 50% greater chance of having an accident and a 30% increase in fatal accidents.

            Finally, there is the concern about cannabis’ effects on the developing brain. Cannabis use by mothers during pregnancy has been linked to problems with attention, memory, problem-solving skills, and behavior in their children.

            Using cannabis before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory, and learning.

            So, no, cannabis is not harmless. If you use it, do so with the knowledge that you may pay a price beyond the cost of the drug.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

            If you are of French heritage, have a French name, spoke French as a child at school or in your home, and/or know of family who immigrated from Canada or France, do I have a book for you! Historical researcher, educator, and author Alfred H. Saulniers has written and published an all-encompassing tome covering all aspects of the French population’s experiences and impact on New Bedford and the greater New Bedford area. Titled “The French of New Bedford: The Early years,” Saulniers gives us likely the most comprehensive deep dive into the lives of French and French descends from this region covering a vast period of time; the 1600s to 1930s.

            Saulniers discussed his book at the Mattapoisett Free Library on February 8, giving his audience a peek into the lives and times of the large French population that still exists in the area, albeit changed. He explained that when French speakers came to the area, many were seeking employment while others were following family members as they settled in small communities within New Bedford.

            Saulniers explained that each of these communities had a church they preferred and tended to congregate and socialize within their chosen neighborhoods. He said that the French came from various counties and countries depending on what era they emigrated to the US. They filtered into society, bringing with them skills learned from their original homes. There were French speaking Belgiums, metropolitan French, Swedish French, and the Arcadians. He chuckled saying this area could have become an area of French-speakers had the French and Indian War had turned out differently.

            After the American Revolution, Saulniers said many British loyalist fled north into Canada, French-speakers tended to remain here.

            Using familial vignettes, Saulniers has laid-out and added layers of details worthy of a challenge to the length of Moby Dick. There are twelve chapters that cover such subject matter as French whalers, Civil War soldiers, mill workers, religion, and newspapers to name just a few.

            And the French celebrated. There were French operas, music halls, and marching bands. On the government side of life, many French, both male and female, became leaders in the communities they served. But first they had to overcome challenges. Saulniers writes, “Once they came to New Bedford, Franco-Americans faced obstacles to their to their greater civic participation. They needed an adequate command of the English language, they needed to become US citizens and they overcome the entrenched opposition of the old-line Protestant Yankees and recently arrived English and Irish who controlled the city’s politics.” With time, they were gradually accepted.

            Saulniers put to rest the notion that the French were not whalers and while many more became mill workers; few became supervisory staff. But they did fight for union rights including participation in local union strikes that took place from the 1877s to the 1920s. Interesting note: Mrs. Aurelia LeBeau traveled the country where she spoke out on behave of workers as a union leader. It is likely she was the only female union leader.

            Back when newspapers were the primary social media tool, New Bedford could boast of two French language newspapers – and they were dailies! Suffice to say it was a very literate population.

            Immigrant surnames and even first names were changed making them more anglicized. It signaled their assimilation. Henri became Henry, Laurent became Lawrence, Maximilien became Maximilian, Oliva became Oliver, Pierre became Peter. The female first name changes included Marie became Mary, Beth became Bertha, Corde-lie became Cordelia, Eugenie became Eugenia, Octavie became Octavia, and Virginie became Virginia.

            The book is jam-packed with historical references and photographs that give the reader a glimpse of life as lived by the French of New Bedford. Published by Spinner Publications, New Bedford.

By Marilou Newell