Marijuana Use Doubles Risk of Death From Heart Disease: Study

Marijuana

A study published the journal Heart last week shows marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.

Researchers analyzed data from multiple studies involving a total of 200 million people — most of whom were between 19 and 59 years old.

The results showed marijuana users face a 20% higher risk of stroke, a 29% higher risk of heart attack, and a staggering 200% higher risk of “cardiovascular death.”

In a separate column, Heart’s editors said it is time to treat marijuana like an important factor for cardiovascular disease, writing,

Cannabis use, like tobacco and alcohol use, should be assessed in all patients. At least in the USA, health professionals are the most influential source of cannabis information regardless of patient age, cannabis use or state legal status, making it important for clinicians to ask about use, educate all patients about cannabis risks and take cannabis use into account in clinical decision making.

We have written for years how THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.

Public health data across America has shown marijuana products routinely send kids to the emergency room and prompt parents to call poison control centers.

And marijuana’s legalization in many states has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal marijuana across America.

All of this underscores what we have always said: 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.

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Health Experts Push Back on Marijuana ‘Treatment’ for Autism

Marijuana

Despite a lack of clear, scientific evidence, some parents reportedly are turning to marijuana to treat autism in children.

The Wall Street Journal writes,

While medical marijuana is prescribed for everything from cancer symptoms to epilepsy to chronic pain and even dementia, its use in children with autism is more controversial.

After all, we know regular use of THC in adolescents can negatively impact their developing brains and lead to a higher risk of mental-health problems.

THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry actually warns against using marijuana to treat autism in children, and The Autism Science Foundation says parents should be “very cautious” about giving THC to kids.

Food, drinks, and other products laced with THC often mimic popular candies that appeal to children, but their high concentrations of THC make these products dangerous.

For years now, public health data across America has shown marijuana products are sending kids to the emergency room and prompting parents to call poison control centers.

This year, multiple bills legalizing THC-infused food and drinks were filed at the Arkansas Legislature. Fortunately, none of those bills passed, and lawmakers actually enacted a measure to prohibit THC in Arkansas.

All of this simply 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.

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