Casual Marijuana Use Linked to Significantly Higher Stroke Risk, Study Shows
A major study presented at the American Heart Association reveals that casual marijuana use 1 to 5 days a month is linked to a 40 percent higher risk of stroke among US adults.
A major new study presented at the American Heart Association scientific sessions in Chicago reveals that even casual or low-frequency marijuana use may significantly increase the risk of severe health complications, particularly stroke.
The research, led by Dr. Aabha Divya from the Tulane University School of Medicine, analyzed data from approximately 443,000 US adults collected through the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2020 and 2024. The findings indicate that individuals who reported using cannabis just 1 to 5 days a month had a 40% higher risk of reporting a history of stroke compared to non-users.
Unexpected Findings Across Consumption Levels
Among casual consumers (1–5 days per month), researchers also noted a 23% increase in the risk of reporting a general history of cardiovascular disease. For heavy users (16–30 days per month), the overall cardiovascular risk rose by 21%, while the stroke risk in this group was 25% higher than among non-users. However, researchers found no statistically significant correlation between cannabis use frequency and the risk of experiencing a heart attack.
One of the most surprising discoveries for the research team was that the relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular complications is not strictly linear. Investigators initially anticipated that health risks would escalate uniformly alongside consumption frequency. Instead, elevated stroke risks were observed across both light and heavy users, with casual consumers showing the highest relative spike in stroke history.
Method of Consumption and Public Health Implications
Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the cardiovascular risks remained consistent regardless of whether participants smoked cannabis, used electronic vaping devices, or ingested edibles. These findings emerge against the backdrop of a sharp surge in cannabis popularity across the USA, where approximately 16.6% of Americans reported using cannabis in the past month in 2024, compared to roughly 10% in 2020—a 51% increase over four years.
Dr. Robert Page of the American Heart Association emphasized the need to shift clinical perspectives. Speaking to the press, he noted that medical providers should routinely screen patients regarding cannabis habits when evaluating cardiovascular and stroke risks, much like traditional tobacco screening.
At the same time, the authors acknowledged certain limitations. As an observational study relying on self-reported data, it establishes a statistical correlation rather than direct causality. Additionally, the survey did not measure the concentration of active THC in the consumed products or account for participants who may have quit cannabis following prior medical diagnoses.
