You might want to think about this joint.
Recreational cannabis is legal in 24 US states, and advocates are hailing the change as a cultural victory.
But new research suggests that this monumental decision may come with an unexpected health problem that scientists are only beginning to uncover.
The health risks of cannabis are well documented.
Short-term effects can include anxiety, memory problems and dry mouth, while longer-term use has been linked to damage to the lungs and blood vessels and even scromitosis, a growing disorder that can lead to life-threatening neurological complications.
A new study published Thursday in BMJ Open has established a link between the legalization of recreational cannabis in the United States and an increase in hospitalizations for several cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers analyzed more than 50 million hospital discharge records between 2012 and 2018.
They found that admissions for atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), heart failure, and heart attacks increased more quickly after recreational cannabis laws took effect in the Western United States than in areas without similar legislation.
Patients hospitalized for these pathologies were on average 51 years old, compared to 55 years in other regions. They were also more likely to live in higher-income ZIP codes (26% vs. 19%) and less likely to identify as white.
Before legalization, hospital discharge rates for the conditions studied were lower in the Western region than in regions without recreational cannabis laws.
But after enactment, those rates increased more quickly — just over 2% faster for atrial fibrillation, almost 4% faster for heart failure and just over 3% faster for heart attacks.
“While several studies have examined the association between recreational cannabis legalization and psychiatric problems, substance use, emergency room visits, and motor vehicle accidents, ours is the first study to examine the association with (cardiovascular) hospitalizations,” the researchers said.
Following the excellent data
Cannabis may affect cardiovascular health through several physiological mechanisms, including increased heart rate, blood pressure fluctuations, blood clots, and chest pain.
Legalization has also been associated with more widespread cannabis use, particularly among older adults, who already face an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
Because the western region of the United States began legalizing recreational cannabis in 2014 – years before other regions – researchers analyzed records from 13 western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
In 2018, more than 98% of people in this region lived in or bordering a state where the sale of cannabis is legal, making it the ideal case study for tracking the public health impact of policy change.
Researchers specifically monitored hospitalization rates for acute heart failure, heart attack, atrial fibrillation/flutter, ischemic stroke (blood clot), venous thromboembolism or VTE (deep vein blood clot), and ventricular tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
To measure the impact, the team established a baseline of the two years before legalization and compared Western hospitalization trends with those in regions where recreational cannabis remained illegal.
The researchers cautioned that this is an observational study with various limitations, such as the inability to examine state-by-state trends, distinguish specific methods of cannabis use, or account for trends in illegal use.
Therefore, the study cannot establish that legalization directly caused the increase in hospitalizations.
“Although an observational study cannot prove causality, our results highlight potential adverse effects.
of recreational legalization on population health,” the researchers said.
“Globally, our results support a cautious approach to legalization laws accompanied by data collection on (cardiovascular) outcomes. »
Gn Health
