High?...Risk

 Marijuana is the most common illicit substance used in the United States. In the last couple of decades, most of the research into THC, which is the main active ingredient in cannabis, is mainly focused on combating the side effects of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics and how to deal with the pain caused by the treatment of such diseases. However, research is shifting gears focusing on the systemic and cardiovascular disease effects induced by THC (Subramaniam 2019). Peripheral arteritis, coronary vasospasms, and platelet aggregation are examples of these effects; however, many of the acute and long-term potentially toxic effects of marijuana still remain unknown. As more and more states legalize the use of marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, more research will be needed to explore the safety and therapeutic profile of this substance. The risks related to cannabis use also need to be updated. Increased collaboration among cardiologists, drug users, and addiction experts to further understand the potential health consequences of increased cannabis use is very important (Subramaniam 2019). 

Using marijuana may lead to platelet dysfunction, according to a new study in nonhuman primates. Platelets, a component of blood, play a role in maintaining blood vessel (vascular) health and aid wound healing and placental development during pregnancy (Reitsma et. al 2022). Thus, it may indicate that the mammalian cardiovascular system does get affected when marijuana is consumed. Human bodies do not act exactly the same as other species, but if a mammalian model has shown a negative reaction to THC. This only means that the human body is susceptible to have the same or a similar reaction to it.  

As we know, the cardiovascular system is in charge of lots of reactions that occur inside our body. Immunological responses, gas exchange, and temperature regulation are just a couple of them. If THC does affect the CV system, then we have a major problem. States where marijuana is legal should inform its citizens and make this information open to the public as soon as possible. This would prevent CVD and allow us to enjoy the positive effects of a plant such as Marijuana, making sure no one's life is in danger. 

Reitsma, S. E., Lakshmanan, H. H. S., Johnson, J., Pang, J., Parra-Izquierdo, I., Melrose, A. R., Choi, J., Anderson, D. E. J., Hinds, M. T., Stevens, J. F., Aslan, J. E., McCarty, O. J. T., & Lo, J. O. (2022). Chronic edible dosing of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in nonhuman primates reduces systemic platelet activity and function. American journal of physiology. Cell physiology, 322(3), C370–C381. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00373.2021

Subramaniam, V. N., Menezes, A. R., DeSchutter, A., & Lavie, C. J. (2019). The Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana: Are the Potential Adverse Effects Worth the High?. Missouri medicine, 116(2), 146–153.