In addition to its acute effects, cannabis/THC induces epigenetic modifications, which can affect its consumers and their offspring.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.banm.2024.02.009
Summary: Epigenetics causes changes in the phenotype in the absence of changes in the DNA of genes, i.e., the genotype. Under various influences, such as exposure to certain xenobiotics, epigenetic marks are produced by different mechanisms, including the grafting of methyl groups onto certain cytosines of DNA, or on diaminated acids of histones, or the grafting of acetyl groups onto these histones around which the DNA of genes is wrapped. These modifications affect the exposure of these DNA segments to RNA polymerases that copy it into messenger RNAs, resulting in the carrier proteins of each of our traits. As a result, the expression of these genes can be repressed or increased. Tetrahydrocannabinol/THC, the major psychotropic and addictive principle of cannabis, induces epigenetic effects in its users that can have a lasting effect on some of their characteristics. If they are of childbearing age or if they are pregnant women, they will be able to pass on these epigenetic marks to their offspring. This transmission may result in malformations of the conceived child, reductions in height and birth weight, delayed development of staturoweight and mental health, increased risk of sudden death, hyperactivity with attention deficit, vulnerability to autism, drug addiction, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, etc. immune deficiencies.
(Source: Bulletin of the National Academy of Medicine Volume 208, Issue 4, April 2024, Pages 459-465 as publish in Science Direct)