Cannabis consumption may be associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke, according to a recent preliminary study.
The findings suggest that the potential health risks are not limited to smoking marijuana. Researchers identified similar associations among people who consumed cannabis through different methods, including vaping and edible products.
The research comes amid a rise in cannabis consumption across the U.S. Approximately one in six American adults reported using marijuana during the previous month in 2024. This compares with one in ten in 2020, representing a 51 percent increase.
Earlier studies have also connected cannabis consumption with unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes. Some suggested that individuals using the substance more frequently faced greater health risks. However, evidence from previous investigations has not always been consistent, prompting researchers to investigate the relationship further.
For the latest analysis, investigators examined survey responses from 442,906 American adults collected through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2020 to 2024. Participants answered questions about their cannabis habits and whether medical professionals had previously diagnosed them with cardiovascular conditions, including heart attacks, coronary disease, and strokes.
The results revealed notable differences across consumption groups. Compared with individuals who had not recently used cannabis, respondents reporting consumption on one to five days monthly had 23 percent greater odds of reporting a cardiovascular disease history. Those using it between 16 and 30 days in a month recorded 21 percent higher odds.
Stroke showed the strongest association. Participants reporting occasional consumption had 40 percent higher odds of having experienced a stroke, while frequent users recorded a 25 percent increase. However, researchers found no statistically meaningful relationship between heart attacks and monthly consumption frequency.
The findings differed from expectations because cardiovascular risk did not consistently increase alongside more frequent consumption. Both occasional and frequent users demonstrated elevated odds of cardiovascular disease.
The analysis included adjustments for several potential contributing factors, such as age, income, education, tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, obesity, diabetes, physical activity, and kidney disease.
Nevertheless, the findings have some limitations. Since the research examined reported health conditions and cannabis habits at a particular point rather than tracking changes over time, it cannot establish that cannabis directly causes cardiovascular disease. Information was also self-reported, leaving room for inaccurate recollections.
Additionally, researchers lacked details about product strength and quantities consumed. Some participants may also have stopped using cannabis following a diagnosis.
Marijuana businesses like Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) will be hoping that more rigorous studies are conducted to confirm or rule out the findings of this preliminary study so that consumers can get appropriate advice when they visit licensed outlets.
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