Marijuana Linked to Increased Heart Attack, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Death in Landmark Study

A major new review published on June 17 in the medical journal Heart has raised alarms about the cardiovascular risks of marijuana, suggesting it may pose a greater threat for heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death than other illicit drugs like cocaine and opioids. The findings, drawn from an analysis of 24 studies involving nearly 200 million people, challenge the perception of cannabis as a relatively benign substance and underscore the need for heightened public health awareness as its use grows in the United States and globally.  The study, led by researchers at the University of Toulouse, France, found that cannabis users face a 29% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome—conditions like heart attack caused by reduced blood flow to the heart—compared to non-users. They also have a 20% increased risk of stroke and a doubled risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. One striking finding, based on a French hospital database, indicated that cannabis was a stronger predictor o...