A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine Focus found no evidence of an association between cannabis consumption and an elevated risk of heart disease. Researchers affiliated with the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health examined the relationship between cannabis use and asthma, depression, and myocardial infarction in racial and sexual orientation minority groups.
The researchers analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2016–2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System questionnaire that included a representative sample of 729,240 individuals. 8% self-reported as current cannabis users who consumed at least 4 days within the last month.
The researchers observed unadjusted, significant differences in the associations between cannabis use and myocardial infarction, asthma, and depression among racial and sexual orientation subgroups. The unadjusted models indicated that current cannabis consumers had a decreased risk of heart attack and an increased risk of asthma. These associations became non-significant once the research team adjusted for covariates such as age and pre-existing health conditions. The study revealed that cannabis users who consumed within the past 30 days did not have a significant risk of heart attack as compared to non-users. One finding suggested that the association between cannabis use and depression differed among sexual orientation subgroups. The researchers noted that these associations were not significant after adjusting for covariates and analyzing each subgroup.
The findings corroborate previous studies that did not find an association between cannabis consumption and myocardial infarction (MI). The study revealed a statistically significant link between current cannabis use and depression, but the findings did not indicate a causal association. Some previous research studies have found an association between chronic cannabis use and heart disease and stroke, but the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug limits research that would provide a better understanding of pulmonary risks.
Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine Focus, NORML
