In a groundbreaking revelation, new research has found that cannabis use may significantly increase the risk of dying from heart-related conditions. The large-scale analysis, encompassing 24 studies and data from nearly 200 million individuals, links cannabis consumption to a twofold rise in cardiovascular mortality.
Conducted by scientists at the University of Toulouse, the meta-analysis paints a concerning picture: cannabis users face a 100% increase in the risk of death from heart disease, a 29% spike in acute coronary events like heart attacks, and a 20% rise in the likelihood of strokes. The findings come amid growing global legalization and rising recreational and medicinal use of the drug.
While the researchers caution that the study does not definitively prove that cannabis directly causes these cardiovascular issues, the strength of the associations raises red flags. Experts point to the increasing potency of cannabis products and evolving consumption habits as likely contributors to the observed health risks.
“Given the trends in legalization and the public perception of cannabis as a relatively benign substance, these findings should serve as a wake-up call,” the study authors warned. They advocate for an approach that treats cannabis similarly to tobacco—discouraged, regulated, but not criminalized.
The study calls for improved public awareness and further investigation into the long-term health consequences of cannabis use. As legalization expands, researchers emphasize the need to balance policy with science and public health.
The message is clear: cannabis may not be as harmless as once thought—especially for the heart.