A growing body of scientific evidence shows marijuana is harmful regardless of how people use it.
Below are seven ways marijuana is harmful, according to science.
1. Marijuana Users are Twice as Likely to Die from Heart Disease.
Marijuana has been tied to a number of deadly heart problems — including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
Researchers now say marijuana use raises a person’s risk of stroke by 20%, and it doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.
2. Marijuana Users Face a High Risk for Diabetes.
Research published this year shows shows marijuana is linked to a 400% increased risk for developing diabetes.
3. Marijuana Users are More Likely to Develop Cancers.
Experts have found heavy marijuana use is strongly linked to a 325% increased risk of oral cancer.
A 2024 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology found daily marijuana use is linked to a higher risk of head and neck cancers.
And the American Lung Association notes that marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens found in tobacco.
4. Marijuana May Harm Fertility and Hurt Unborn Children.
Researchers have found that marijuana use may harm female fertility and increase chromosome errors.
THC — the main active substance in marijuana — can disrupt egg cell growth, alter important genes, and cause problems with chromosomes.
Marijuana use during pregnancy also has been shown to hurt unborn children and newborns.
5. Marijuana Use is Commonly Associated with Mental Disorders.
For years researchers have found links between marijuana use and serious mental health problems.
A recent study published in the American College of Physicians’ journal found marijuana that is high in THC is associated with “anxiety, depression, psychosis or schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder (CUD).”
Researchers have raised concerns about the number of teens struggling with cannabis-induced mental disorders.
Experts have found heavy marijuana use is linked to paranoia, schizophrenia, self-harm, and other serious problems.
6. Marijuana is Tied to Cognitive Problems.
Experts routinely link marijuana use with dementia, memory loss, and lower cognitive abilities.
These effects may continue even after someone stops using marijuana.
7. Marijuana Users Face Greater Risk of Dependence and Addiction.
Marijuana is addictive, and studies have found nearly one-third of users develop some form of marijuana use disorder. The risk is even higher — up to 17% — for those who start using in adolescence.
Dependence and addiction can lead to a number of other physical and mental problems.
Conclusion
Scientific evidence shows again and again that marijuana is a health hazard, but marijuana also hurts whole communities.
Marijuana legalization in other states has actually fueled the black market, emboldened drug cartels, and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.
News outlets report Chinese organized crime is dominating black market marijuana in states where the drug is legal.
Arkansas State Police routinely confiscate illegal marijuana grown in other states.
In Arkansas, marijuana industry insiders worked unsuccessfully to expand marijuana via the state’s ballot initiative process in 2022 and 2024. Fortunately, neither of those bad measures passed.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
