Researchers (Hsu, M., Et.al.) examined over 2,500 publications regarding cannabis and medical issues (a meta-analysis) spanning 15 years (2010 – 2025). As a result, researchers found that the use of cannabis was associated to higher risks of psychotic symptoms, generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), adverse coronary effects (heart attacks), and higher risk of having a stroke. Also noted was that from studies, 29 percent of individuals who use cannabis for medicinal purposes met the diagnostic criteria for having a cannabis use disorder (CUD).  “Evidence-based guidelines do not recommend the use of inhaled or high-potency cannabis (=/>10% or 10 mg Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [Δ9-THC]) for medical purposes.”

The authors did acknowledge that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved specific conditions for which cannabinoids can be used to treat specific symptoms of specific disorders such as, “….HIV/AIDS – related anorexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain pediatric seizure disorders”. Greater research needs to be conducted into the medical application of cannabis, as a therapeutic agent, for specific conditions, to close this information gap. 

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Researchers, Kamel, I (et.al.), conducted a retrospective study of patient health records (N= 4,636,628), from 2010 – 2018, for subjects aged 50 years and younger. The large cohort was separated into two groups, those with a cannabis use diagnosis (N=93,267) and non-users (N=4,543,361). Research made sure there was no bias from a pre-existing condition or risk factors. When compared to non-user group, findings for the cannabis use were:

• 15-fold prevalence for depressive episodes
• 6-fold greater risk of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• 4-fold greater risk of a stroke
• 3-fold greater risk of a Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE)
• 2-fold greater risk of heart failure

Of interest here is the time frame used for the analysis of 2010 – 2018. Even during the early days of legalization, the authors observed the significance of this in that, “This analysis provides evidence linking cannabis-use to adverse cardiovascular events, including MI, ischemic, stroke, heart, failure, and mortality.”

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The author’s note, ” These findings suggest that large, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the causality of cannabis use toward altering brain function and the duration over which these effects persist.”

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Among their findings included, the enactment of state medical cannabis laws (MCL) was associated to a 42.7% increase in the diagnosis of cannabis use disorders (CUD) and an 88.6% increase in cannabis poisonings (CPs). In those states that implemented “recreational cannabis laws” (RCL), the rates of cannabis poisonings (CP) increased by 31.6% in the adult population.

The authors caution that the implementation of cannabis legalization at the state level for, medical or “recreational” use, is associated to greater health risks for the adult population, increased impacts to the health care system and final costs associated to the treatment for (CUDs) or (CPs). 

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This study was released in the academic journal “Addiction” by Carnegie Mellon Professor, Dr. Jonathan Caulkins. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), from 1979 – 2022, frequency of use rates for alcohol and cannabis were assessed from the over 1.6 million survey respondents. Cannabis use frequency rates were at it all time low in 1992, but they have continued to increase to currently outpacing those who drink alcohol. While the number of people who drink alcohol versus use cannabis is greater, the frequency rate of cannabis use is higher by 3 – 4 times that of alcohol consumption. 

Factors that have contributed to the increase in cannabis use include the nationwide push towards legalization, a reduction in criminal consequences and an overall loosening of public policy and opinion.   

Read Time: ~10 minutes

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The Midwest HIDTA’s seven-state area consists of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the three Illinois counties of Madison, Rock Island, and St. Clair. The region spans over 428,000 square miles, encompasses 73 HIDTA-designated counties, and is considered the largest of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s 33 HIDTA regions. It is as varied as it is vast, and incorporates major urban cities, separated by suburban sprawl and rural countryside. Within the Midwest HIDTA are more than 4,300 miles of interstate highways and an international border stretching over 300 miles. Its central location and intertwining roadways, make the region ideal for drug trafficking organizations and criminals’ intent on transporting drugs into or through to other destinations.

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However, despite this shift in opinion, survey respondents still believed that marijuana (ranked #8 for harmfulness) is less harmful than other substances such as alcohol (ranked #7), and cigarettes (ranked #1). In their summary, Gallup authors noted that, “… slim majorities now believe marijuana has a negative effect on its users and society as a whole.” 

Read Time: < 5 minutes (Article only) or 15 minutes (Article and supporting data pdf)  

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This study used patient data (deidentified), over a ten-year period comparing the occurrence of HNC in patients with a diagnosed CUD (N=116,076 patients) to those who did not use cannabis (N=3,985,286 patients) to arrive at relative risks factors. The authors (Gallagher, T. et.al.) found that when comparing non-users to those with a CUD, the risk of developing “any” HNC was 3.49 times greater in the CUD group. For location specific cancers in the CUD group, risk of oral cancer was 2.51 higher, oropharyngeal cancer (back of mouth and throat) was nearly 5 times higher, and laryngeal cancer (throat) was more than 8 times the risk, when compared to non-cannabis user group.

While the authors identify several potential relationships common to tobacco and cannabis use to adverse health outcomes, the call for more research to better understand this issue is clear. 

Abstract Read Time: < 5 minutes

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Researchers noted that the Copper concentrations discovered could be responsible for exposures that are 4.5 to 11 times greater than the established safe exposure limits. Elements like Copper were noted to, “…play a significant role in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Wilson’s disease.” (A buildup of Copper in the liver, brain and other organs resulting in life-threatening organ damage.) 

Read time: 10 minutes.

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