Smoking cannabis can cause potentially lethal damage to the heart and arteries of young and middle-aged adults, a study has found.
Researchers in France who looked at almost 2,000 patients with medical problems related to cannabis use identified 35 serious instances of cardiovascular complications.
Twenty heart attacks were recorded, as well as 10 cases involving arteries in the limbs, and three affecting blood vessels in the brain. Nine patients, around a quarter of the total, died.
Most of the patients were male, with an average age of 34.3 years.
Lead scientist Dr Emilie Jouanjus, from the University of Toulouse, said: "The general public thinks marijuana is harmless, but information revealing the potential health dangers of marijuana use needs to be disseminated to the public, policy makers and healthcare providers."
Source: Irish Independent, 24/04/14
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