Quote from Alex bobby on June 19, 2025, 7:07 AM

Cannabis Use Doubles Risk of Fatal Heart Disease, New Study Warns

As cannabis legalisation gains traction around the world and use becomes increasingly normalised, scientists are sounding the alarm over growing evidence that cannabis consumption—especially in its more potent, modern forms—may significantly increase the risk of fatal heart problems.

A new study published in the journal Heart reveals a sobering reality: people who use cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular diseases compared to non-users. This research challenges the perception that cannabis is a low-risk recreational drug, raising urgent public health questions as access to cannabis expands.

Cannabis: Europe’s Most Popular Drug

Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in most European countries, but that hasn’t slowed its popularity. According to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), around 24 million people—or 8.4% of adults—used cannabis in the past year. From herbal marijuana to edibles, concentrates, and synthetic cannabinoids, today’s users are faced with an increasingly potent array of products.

These modern cannabis variants often contain much higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient that produces the “high.” Synthetic cannabinoids, in particular, can carry extremely high THC concentrations and are associated with a range of severe side effects, prompting concerns among health professionals.

Key Findings: Heart Risks and Cannabis Use

In this latest analysis, French researchers reviewed 24 studies conducted between 2016 and 2023 to assess real-world data on cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes. The results were alarming:

• Cannabis users were twice as likely to die from heart disease as non-users.
• There was a 29% higher risk of acute coronary syndromes, such as heart attacks.
• A 20% higher risk of stroke was also observed among cannabis users.

These statistics don’t establish a direct causal link between cannabis and heart disease but point to a strong association. The study authors acknowledged that most of the data came from observational studies, which means other variables—like diet, tobacco use, or pre-existing conditions—could play a role. Nonetheless, the findings were consistent across multiple data sets, making them difficult to ignore.

A Wake-Up Call for Regulators and Users

Health experts outside the study were quick to stress its importance. In a written commentary, Stanton Glantz and Dr. Lynn Silver of the University of California, San Francisco, said the findings raise “serious questions about the assumption that cannabis imposes little cardiovascular risk.”

They argued that as cannabis becomes more widely accepted and legalised, it must be brought into the same preventive frameworks used to combat other leading causes of heart disease—such as tobacco use and poor diet.

The authors called for:

• Mandatory health warnings on cannabis packaging.
• Public education campaigns about the cardiovascular risks of cannabis.
• Restrictions on secondhand cannabis smoke, similar to those used for tobacco.

The Complex Reality of Cannabis Use

While the study adds weight to concerns over cannabis’ health effects, it also highlights how complicated the issue is. Cannabis users in the reviewed studies were more likely to be younger and male—two demographics that also tend to have different health behaviour patterns than older or female populations.

Moreover, different cannabis products may carry different levels of risk. Smoking, edibles, vaping, and synthetic cannabinoids all affect the body in different ways, and further research is needed to untangle their relative impact on cardiovascular health.

Still, the researchers emphasised that even with its limitations, their review represents one of the most comprehensive assessments of cannabis’ cardiovascular effects in real-world settings to date.

A Public Health Tipping Point?

The findings arrive at a critical time. Countries across the globe—from Germany to the United States—are relaxing laws around cannabis. In some places, it is now marketed as a wellness product, or as a safer alternative to alcohol and tobacco.

However, the perception of cannabis as “harmless” may be increasingly outdated in light of mounting scientific evidence. As THC levels rise and synthetic products proliferate, users may be exposing themselves to cardiovascular risks they don’t fully understand.

“The message from this research is clear,” said Glantz and Silver. “Cannabis isn’t risk-free, and it must be treated with the same caution and regulatory scrutiny as other substances that impact heart health.”

Looking Forward: Toward Safer Cannabis Use and Smarter Policy

As cannabis use continues to grow across Europe and beyond, the challenge for policymakers, healthcare providers, and consumers is too strike a balance between personal freedoms and public health.

The latest findings on cannabis and cardiovascular risk should not be a reason to stigmatise users, but rather an invitation to develop evidence-based education, regulation, and harm-reduction strategies. This could include:

• Standardised warning labels on all cannabis products.
• Public awareness campaigns similar to those for tobacco and alcohol.
• Investment in long-term research to differentiate the risks of various cannabis formats (smoked, vaped, ingested, synthetic).
• Monitoring youth usage, as early and heavy cannabis consumption could pose greater long-term health risks.

As legalisation advances, so too must our understanding of cannabis’ health impacts. With proper oversight, innovation, and honest public discourse, we can move toward a future where cannabis is used responsibly—without ignoring the science that warns of its potential dangers.

Conclusion

The study published in Heart serves as a stark reminder that the evolution of cannabis—from a counterculture symbol to a commercialised product—must be matched by rigorous public health oversight. With millions of people using increasingly potent forms of cannabis, and legalisation efforts accelerating across the globe, it's time for lawmakers, health professionals, and users alike to confront the drug’s very real—and potentially deadly—impact on heart health.