Study links cannabis use to increased heart disease deaths

A new study published in the journal Heart reveals that cannabis use is associated with a doubled risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The research also indicates a 29% higher risk for acute coronary syndrome and a 20% increased risk for stroke. This study analyzed data from 24 individual studies conducted between 2016 and 2023, providing a comprehensive look at the health risks faced by cannabis users.

As cannabis consumption rises across the United States, particularly with recreational use now legal in 24 states, the need to understand its health implications has become more urgent. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is considering reclassifying cannabis to a less dangerous category under the Controlled Substances Act. Meanwhile, a report from Carnegie Mellon University shows that daily cannabis users have surpassed daily alcohol drinkers for the first time, especially among younger demographics. A 2022 survey by New Frontier Data found that 69% of individuals aged 18 to 24 prefer cannabis over alcohol.

Experts Dr. Lynn Silver from the Public Health Institute and Stanton Glantz, an emeritus professor at the University of California, San Francisco, noted in an editorial accompanying the study that as cannabis use becomes more normalized, public perception of its risks has declined. They emphasize that the findings highlight the potential adverse health effects associated with cannabis use. In their editorial, they suggest treating cannabis similarly to tobacco: legal but discouraged, with measures to protect bystanders from secondhand exposure.

The study’s authors acknowledge limitations, including possible inaccuracies in dosage measurements. They call for additional research to determine whether the cardiovascular risks are primarily linked to inhaled cannabis products, which comprised most cases in their analysis, or if they also extend to other forms of cannabis consumption. As the landscape of cannabis use continues to evolve, understanding its health implications remains crucial.