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19h ago

Regular Cannabis Use Impairs Vascular Function Comparable to Tobacco, New Study Shows

Marijuana smokers experienced a 42% drop in artery dilation; THC edible users saw a 56% decline, prompting experts to seek broader studies on cardiovascular safety.

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Employees inspect cannabis plants at cannabis grower Hollandse Hoogtes, where regulated cannabis cultivation takes place in a grow center, in Bemmel, Netherlands, on April 1, 2025.
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Overview

  • A UCSF-led study published in JAMA Cardiology in May 2025 found chronic marijuana smokers had a 42% reduction in flow-mediated dilation while THC edible users showed a 56% decline compared to nonusers.
  • Vascular impairment intensified with higher potency and more frequent cannabis use, indicating a dose-dependent relationship with endothelial dysfunction.
  • Laboratory assays revealed serum from marijuana smokers cut endothelial nitric oxide production by 27%, whereas serum from edible users did not alter nitric oxide levels, suggesting distinct mechanisms of damage.
  • The magnitude of vascular dysfunction in cannabis users mirrored that seen in tobacco smokers, implying that marijuana smoke contributes additional harm beyond THC’s effects.
  • Researchers and the American Heart Association are calling for larger, long-term trials and routine screening of cannabis use in cardiovascular assessments to establish safe consumption guidelines.