Reflections on Marijuana and Cardiovascular Risks
Marijuana is less destructive than alcohol use on individuals and society, right? I sometimes heard or read that, and I sometimes said it myself. Recently, though, I changed my view. Why? My attention was drawn to studies which found links between marijuana use and major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. Reflecting further on my own experience also led me to change my view. Marijuana is a drug, as is alcohol. Unfortunately, marijuana’s destructive effects on individuals as well as society as a whole are enormously underappreciated, to everyone’s peril.
Not long ago, I visited a friend's gravesite. He had died suddenly in 2012, at age 39, from a burst aorta. He was a daily heavy pot smoker. I thought about him when I read extracts of articles and studies which have linked marijuana to heart disease. I wish these studies had come out 20 years ago. I wish my friend had seen them. I wish these studies could have changed his behavior. I miss him. He was a decent man who died too young.
Legalization of marijuana for recreational use in many states has led to more potent marijuana being more available than ever. I once visited the hospital emergency room after becoming paranoid from marijuana use. This was well before legalization. I understand that these types of visits have increased wherever legalization has occurred. The individual impact of ER visits after marijuana use, utilizing scarce health care resources, are consequences all of us should consider.
I count myself fortunate that I have not smoked marijuana in more than 20 years. I was able to stop through help from peers. I am hopeful that peer counseling like that which is available from Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers can help save others from the fate suffered by my friend.
I encourage you to read compelling research if more information may help to change your marijuana use, particularly because of the research establishing a link to cardiovascular disease.
Loyd Willaford (Treasurer and Secretary Of Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers) lwillaford@walal.org