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It might take a puff or two Californians to get their heads around an apparent contradiction recently included in the law of the State. Marijuana smoke above that doctors can recommend to dispatch the suffering of cancer patients will soon come with a warning saying that produces disease.

months of state regulators of the environment last voted for smoking marijuana up on its list of hundreds of substances known to cause cancer. The decision could lead to warning signs in the medical marijuana dispensaries and labels on cans packed in one year.

A measure of voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana in California in 1996. Key donors included patients with serious illnesses like cancer and AIDS who said pot has helped them manage pain and nausea.

Scientists with the Office of Environmental health risk assessment examined 27 studies on the relationship between marijuana and cancer in humans. Although not all studies have shown a link, regulators found that "smoking marijuana has been clearly shown, through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause cancer," said a statement agency.

Dr. Thomas Mack, University of Southern California epidemiologist and chairman of the committee, said the decision to smoke marijuana as a carcinogen list should not surprise anyone.

"If you take a piece of plant material, a leaf, and burn it, you'll get the type of compounds that cause cancer," said Mack.

Marijuana smoke and tobacco smoke share 33 of the same carcinogenic compounds, according to scientists from the Agency.

Only tests that animals subjected to very high doses of marijuana was the link between drugs and cancer quite clear, "he said.

To counter the conclusion that smoking marijuana leads to major health risks, the defenders were quick to jump on the flaws in the studies reviewed by the committee.

For example, regulators examined three studies that have found links between marijuana and lung cancer. Among them, two were conducted in North Africa, where smoking marijuana regularly mix with tobacco, an issue that the Committee has recognized.

The committee also reviewed a large 2006 study found not only marijuana smokers showed no increased risk of cancer than nonsmokers, but perhaps even less.

"If they want to smoke marijuana to be classified as carcinogenic, although it is true.

proponents of marijuana have hailed the results of Tashkin as evidence that the pot may actually protect against cancer. He said he did not know if marijuana has this power or not.

The decision to list marijuana as a carcinogen is the California Proposition 65, a measure approved by voters who urged regulators to identify substances that can cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The law also requires warnings on products and in buildings where chemicals are present in the list of potentially harmful levels.

Since the law was passed in 1986, the list has grown to nearly 800 substances, including common items such as aspirin, gasoline and acrylamide, a chemical naturally occurring in potato chips and fries French.

Frank Lucido of Berkeley recommended pot to his patients for medical marijuana became legal in the state 13 years ago. He became so convinced of the potential drugs that now serves as vice president of the newly formed American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, a group of doctors who study and set standards for the use of medical marijuana.

Lucido said he will not stop recommending pot. But it may suggest patients take the medication in other forms, such as marijuana to the infusion of food or spray.