David Bridges
In the past few years, the prevalence of cannabis use among adults in the United States has surged to unprecedented levels. Many individuals advocate for this natural drug, touting its benefits as safe, organic, and even therapeutic. However, an increasing volume of research indicates that marijuana consumption may lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including lethal heart disease. This growing concern raises important questions about the long-term health implications of recreational and medicinal marijuana use.
A recent study published in the journal Heart on June 17 reveals alarming evidence that using marijuana doubles the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular diseases. The study highlights significantly increased risks for stroke and acute coronary syndrome (ACS)—a condition that represents a sudden drop in blood flow to the heart, potentially culminating in a heart attack. While earlier research has established a connection between cannabis and cardiovascular issues, this new analysis emphasizes the extent and seriousness of these dangers. The authors caution that additional studies are necessary to confirm this association and explore the underlying mechanisms involved.
These findings may be startling for those who perceive cannabis as an innocuous high; however, co-author Emilie Jouanjus, a clinical pharmacologist from the University of Toulouse in France, expressed little surprise. With over ten years of experience studying the negative health impacts of marijuana, she aspires for this research to encourage more informed choices regarding cannabis use. Jouanjus emphasizes the importance of understanding the associated risks, even if the substance is derived from natural sources.
“It’s crucial for individuals to recognize that there are inherent risks, regardless of the natural origins of the product,” Jouanjus remarked in an interview with Gizmodo. The past decade has seen a surge in state-level legalization, making weed more accessible and socially accepted, which has led to an increase in both recreational and medicinal usage. Jouanjus and her colleagues advocate for a shift in public health messaging, suggesting that cannabis should be regarded similarly to tobacco—not criminalized, but rather, its risks should be openly discussed to discourage its use.
The research team meticulously analyzed 24 studies conducted from January 2016 to December 2023, examining the relationship between marijuana consumption and severe cardiovascular events. These studies collectively included approximately 200 million participants, predominantly aged between 19 and 59 years. The focus was on mortality related to cardiovascular diseases, as well as non-fatal outcomes such as stroke and acute coronary syndrome.
The comprehensive analysis revealed that cannabis use elevates the risk of acute coronary syndrome by 29%, increases the risk of stroke by 20%, and doubles the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular conditions. While the researchers assert that their study provides a thorough review of available data linking marijuana use to cardiovascular disease, Jouanjus pointed out that many included studies lacked detailed information regarding the timing and manner of participants’ cannabis exposure.
This gap leaves numerous critical inquiries unanswered, such as: what dosage of cannabis becomes unsafe? Do occasional marijuana users face lower cardiovascular risks? Is consuming edibles a safer alternative compared to smoking? Jouanjus hopes forthcoming studies will delve into these vital questions. Some researchers, like Matt Springer, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, have already begun to investigate.
Springer co-authored a recent study published in JAMA Cardiology in May, which found that both smoking marijuana and consuming edibles heighten the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This finding challenges the widespread belief that edibles present a less harmful method of cannabis consumption and underscores the drug’s concerning implications for heart health.
Like Jouanjus, Springer was not taken aback by the correlation between cannabis usage and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. “This aligns with multiple reports in recent years that indicate associations between cannabis consumption and various cardiovascular outcomes, as well as another recent meta-analysis presented at the [American College of Cardiology] conference in March,” he shared with Gizmodo via email. That analysis indicated that cannabis users face a significantly heightened risk of experiencing a heart attack compared to non-users.
Springer’s recent study demonstrated that cannabis users exhibited impaired blood vessel dilation, subsequently placing them at an increased risk of heart attacks and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This observation could potentially explain the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease mortality identified by Jouanjus and her team; however, more evidence is necessary to substantiate this assertion.
There are additional possible mechanisms at play. Jouanjus referenced prior studies indicating that, similar to tobacco, cannabis may lead to the accumulation of plaque within arterial walls. This buildup raises the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. Furthermore, she noted that the psychoactive component of marijuana—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—is significantly more concentrated in today’s cannabis products compared to those available two decades ago. This increase may also contribute to the heightened risk of cardiovascular mortality observed in her research.
Although numerous factors could plausibly affect the cardiovascular consequences of cannabis, uncovering why this substance harms heart health will necessitate further investigation. Meanwhile, Jouanjus believes that the evidence available is sufficient to advocate for caution and moderation regarding marijuana use. While the public is increasingly aware of the benefits associated with cannabis, she hopes her study will also shed light on its potential risks.
Springer concurs with this perspective, stating, “These reports from recent years, including ours and this paper, indicate that cannabis is not necessarily harmless.”
Brandon Fletcher
Ethan Carter
