A recent study on cannabis use and women from France found that women who frequently use cannabis have a significantly higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-users. The study involved nearly 122,000 British participants, categorized into low, moderate, and heavy cannabis users based on their reported lifetime usage. Over a 13-year follow-up period, 2,375 deaths were recorded, with 1,411 from CVD.
Heavy cannabis users were more likely to be younger, use tobacco, and have lower alcohol consumption, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, high education, and income levels. The study’s findings highlighted a significant link between heavy cannabis use and CVD death among women, particularly those who also used tobacco. This was not the case for male users. The study’s researchers stressed that the association between death and cannabis use remains unclear. However, they theorized that chemicals in cannabis may cause inflammation and arterial issues, and carbon monoxide exposure from smoking may contribute.
The study noted limitations such as self-reported cannabis use without biological verification and unknown specifics regarding cannabis dosage and consumption methods. The findings coincide with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports that cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the US, with 19% of Americans using it at least once in 2021. Additionally, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is expected to rise due to increasing rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
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