Marijuana Linked With Increased Risk of Heart Attack, Failure: New Study
Regular marijuana use may raise the risk for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure — especially among people with other underlying health issues — according to two studies presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023.
The first study found daily marijuana use raised a person’s risk of heart failure by about one-third, compared to people who never used marijuana.
The second study examined 28,535 marijuana users with existing cardiovascular risk factors — including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It found:
- 20% had an increased chance of having a major heart or brain event while hospitalized.
- 13.9% of marijuana users with cardiovascular risk factors had a major adverse heart and brain event while hospitalized compared to non-users.
- Marijuana users had a higher rate of heart attacks.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol were predictors of major heart and brain problems among marijuana users.
Experts also noted that smoking marijuana increases concentrations of carbon monoxide and tar in the human body much like tobacco — and that both tobacco and marijuana have been linked to heart disease, chest pain, heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, and other serious problems.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Ballot Committees Vying to Pass Constitutional Amendments in Arkansas
With only a year until the 2024 elections, ballot committees are vying to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in Arkansas.
For example, the group Restore Election Integrity Arkansas recently filed paperwork indicating it will work for an amendment requiring elections to use secure paper ballots.
Arkansas Citizens for Truth, Justice, and the American Way likewise has announced it plans to work for passage of five constitutional amendments: one repealing the state sales tax on used cars; another lowering the state sales tax on new vehicles; a third amendment abolishing property tax for individuals over age 65; an amendment to strengthen Arkansas’ Freedom of Information Act; and an amendment “to concern casinos in Arkansas.”
The group notes that these amendments would be for the 2026 election cycle.
The organization Arkansans for World Class Education continues raising funds in the state, according to reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
The group worked unsuccessfully to place the “Public Schools Amendment of 2022” on the ballot last year. Among other things, that proposed amendment would have removed the provision in the Arkansas Constitution that lets the legislature make laws concerning the State Board of Education.
The committee Arkansans for Cannabis Reform signaled last year that it might try to place a marijuana amendment on the 2024 ballot, but has reported no activity since then. In 2020 the group unsuccessfully worked to place a recreational marijuana amendment on the ballot.
Although no official ballot committee has formed yet, it is possible the abortion industry will attempt to use Arkansas’ petition process to place an abortion amendment on the ballot in 2024.
Late last year, pro-abortion groups released statements to the media listing Arkansas as one of the places where they would like to pass an abortion amendment.
In January our team intercepted a political poll asking voters in Arkansas a series of questions about campaign messaging for an abortion amendment.
For example, some of the poll questions were along the lines of, “Does the statement, ‘This amendment safeguards reproductive freedom’ make you more likely or less likely to vote for the amendment?”
More than one national pro-life leader has told us that they have heard rumors about pro-abortion petition drives kicking off in Arkansas ahead of 2024 as well.
If that happens, the next 12 months could be a critical time for the pro-life movement in Arkansas.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.