Michael Roth

Michael D. Roth, M.D., is a Professor and Vice Chair within the UCLA Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, and a member of the Interdepartmental Program in Molecular Toxicology. Dr. Roth completed his M.D. at the UCLA School of Medicine in 1983, graduating with AOA honors, and subsequently trained at UCLA Medical Center with Board-certification in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care. Dr. Roth is actively involved in basic, translation and clinical research; recognized widely for his work in the fields of cancer research, immunology, emphysema, connective tissue related interstitial lung disease and the biology/toxicology of inhaled substance abuse. His research investigates the effects of inhaled cannabis, including purified delta-9-THC as its primary psychoactive cannabinoid, as mediators of lung inflammation, airway injury, and pre-cancerous changes. He also studies the manner in which cannabinoids interact with the immune system and the expression of specific cannabinoid receptors by immune cells. His most recent work focuses on the local effects of inhaled cannabis on the anti-bacterial and immune-protective activity of lung macrophages. With the growing legalization of cannabis and increasing cannabis use, it is important to understand both its potential adverse effects and the potential medical use of components of cannabis.