Marijuana is Bad for Your Heart

Marijuana causes heart problems — A new study led by UC San Francisco researchers has found that chronic cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed in edible form, is associated with significant cardiovascular risks.

The report, published in JAMA Cardiology, found that people who regularly used marijuana in either form had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers. Vascular function in those who used cannabis by either means was reduced roughly by half compared to those who did not use it.

Decreased vascular function is associated with a greater risk of heart attack, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions.

"There is a popular belief that marijuana smoke is harmless," wrote Mohammadi, Navabzadeh, Jiménez-Téllez, et al. in their study. "However, marijuana smoke contains many of the thousands of chemicals contained in tobacco smoke, along with fine particles that contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As cannabis legalization increases, it is crucial to understand the public health and clinical implications of marijuana use."

The researchers recruited 55 people between October 2021 and August 2024 who were outwardly healthy and either regularly smoked marijuana or consumed edibles containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

Along with decreased vascular function, marijuana smokers had changes in their blood serum that were harmful to endothelial cells, which form the inner lining of all blood and lymphatic vessels. Those who took edibles containing THC, however, did not display these changes in blood serum. It's unclear how THC damages blood vessels.

"This study enhances the understanding of the potential risks to vascular health linked to cannabis use and provides more evidence that cannabis use is not benign," the researchers concluded.

THE RISE OF HIGH-POTENCY THC

Cardiovascular issues are not the only risks associated with cannabis use, of course. Many well-meaning Americans have internalized the propaganda of the well-organized cannabis industry, suggesting that cannabis products can cause no harm and may even mitigate specific health problems such as glaucoma or anxiety disorders, despite a distinct lack of scientific evidence for such claims. In an astonishing turnaround, cannabis went from a dangerous gateway drug to a wellness product in a matter of decades.

Foundry Front Range Managing Partner Ben Cort has been raising awareness of the commercialization of cannabis products for years. In his 2017 book Weed, Inc., he explained how the potent products the marijuana industry is selling in the 21st century are a far cry from the weed people smoked in the 1970s. "The average cannabis product sold in Colorado in 2020 had a THC content of 69 percent," says Cort. "Concentrates are everywhere and are not just being used by the fringe; they are mainstream, and they are what many people picture when they talk about marijuana," he wrote in Weed, Inc. In other words, cannabis products have been weaponized. Cort's 2024 follow-up book, "Weed Inked," contains further evidence that high-potency THC products are harmful to personal and public health.

Chronic cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) and can induce psychosis.

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a growing problem nationwide. Studies indicate increasing rates of cannabis use disorder following the legalization and commercialization of cannabis in recent years. Cannabis use disorder poses specific health challenges, including hyperemesis, psychosis, paranoia, and—as the UCSF study confirms—heart health risks.

FOUNDRY FRONT RANGE TREATS CANNABIS USE DISORDER

Foundry Front Range has specialized expertise in treating cannabis use disorder. Cannabis, which is stored in fat cells, can remain in the body and cause psychoactive effects long after a person stops consuming it. This can lead to residual effects of cannabis that must be stabilized before clients are ready to engage in treatment programming. Specialized medical attention may also be required to help people experiencing severe CUD side effects, like nausea or psychosis, feel stable and comfortable.

Because 58-plus percent of people with SUD have more than one substance use disorder, treating the effects of cannabis use disorder can be even more complex. Patients with cannabis use and at least one other substance use disorder are more likely to need more clinical attention and medical resources. They may also have home environments or relationships that make substance use seem permissible or supported, requiring family programming and education about how to build recovery-supportive environments.

Continuing care planning, which ensures that individuals have a specific ongoing care plan after completing treatment, is crucial for allowing them to navigate the fragile period of early recovery safely. As this article suggests, cannabis use disorder and other substance use disorders increase the potential for chronic health problems. With growing evidence that cannabis can affect the heart and blood flow, cardiological assessment may be advisable during and after substance use disorder treatment.

With some of the most experienced clinicians, a modern and well-equipped clinical facility, and leading experts in addiction medicine, Foundry Front Range represents a good treatment option for people experiencing Cannabis Use Disorder. To learn more, visit www.foundryfrontrange.com or call (720) 807-7867.

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