For a long time now I have said that the legalization of marijuana was done without due regard for its downside. Here is another previously unrecognized downside. [CUD = Cannabis Use Disorder; CVD = Cardiovascular Disease]
From Cardiology Advisor:
Anees Bahji, M.D., from the University of Calgary, and colleagues examined the association between CUD and adverse CVD outcomes. The analysis included linked administrative health databases (2012 through 2019) from 29,764 matched pairs of individuals with and without CUD.
The researchers found that approximately 2.4 percent in the CUD group and 1.5 percent in the non-CUD group experienced an incident adverse CVD event (risk ratio, 1.57). There was a significant association observed between CUD and reduced time to an incident CVD event. There was greater risk seen for incident CVD among individuals without mental health comorbidity, those who had not used health care services in the previous six months, those who were not on prescription medications, and individuals who did not have comorbid conditions.
“This evidence suggests that cannabis use may place a healthier population at increased risk of major cardiovascular events,” the authors write. “As a result, our study points to the importance of educating our patients about the potential risks associated with cannabis use and CUD.”
For those unaware a 1.57 risk ratio is very significant. In addition the risk was even greater for those who not appear to be at increased risk for CVD (no prescription meds; no recent use of health care services; no comorbid conditions).
This is a big study with over 29,000 matched pairs, and so I would guess that we haven’t heard the lat of this issue, but predictably you will not read about it in the MSM.
10/18/23