Study of 450,000 Adults Links Cannabis Use to 40% Higher Stroke Odds

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 6

Nearly 450,000 U.S. adults surveyed from 2020 to 2024 showed cannabis users had higher odds of stroke and broader cardiovascular disease than non-users, according to research due to be presented at the American Heart Association meeting.
One-to-five-day monthly users had 40% higher reported stroke odds and 23% higher cardiovascular-disease odds, while 16-to-30-day users had 25% higher stroke odds and 21% higher cardiovascular-disease odds.
Smoking, vaping and edibles showed similar risk patterns, but the study found no statistically significant link between cannabis use frequency and heart attacks.
Researchers and outside experts said the findings challenge assumptions that marijuana is harmless, especially as past-month use rose to one in six U.S. adults in 2024 from one in 10 in 2020.
Because the study was observational, based on self-reported phone surveys and not yet peer-reviewed, it shows correlation rather than causation; doctors urged patients to discuss cannabis use rather than change medications abruptly.