MARIJUANA-JOINT SHARING LINKED TO SPREAD OF POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASE

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is warning people not to
share marijuana joints because the practice is resulting in the spread of
meningococcal disease, which is potentially fatal.

Two people have died since November after contracting the illness. The
health authority said in a news release that it has recorded five cases of
the disease since November. Four of those people regularly smoked and
shared marijuana, the health authority said.

"Sharing joints, which has been reported in other clusters of meningococcal
cases, exposes users to saliva that may contain the meningococcal
bacteria," Dr. Patricia Daly, director of communicable disease control for
the health authority, said in the release. "Those who smoke and share
marijuana on a regular basis are urged to either change their behaviour or
get vaccinated."

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium that can be spread through
sexual contact, saliva and the sharing of joints, cigarettes and drinks.