Cannabis study draws mixed reaction from local dispensary owner, health official

POTSDAM, New York (WWNY) – A recent study finds using cannabis could raise your risk of heart attack and stroke whether you smoke it, vape it or eat it.

Brian Mandell owns Firehaus, a licensed cannabis dispensary in Potsdam. He says that study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, makes it tough for his business.

“It’s discouraging for something that is getting to be normalized, you know, there is a stigma that is starting to go away in the U.S in general,” he said.

The study looked at all ways cannabis is used: vaping; smoking, and edibles. It found daily use, predominately through smoking, was associated with a 25% higher risk of suffering a heart attack and a 42% increased chance of suffering a stroke.

It adds that its THC ingredient could be a factor as to why. The study looked at 400,000 people between the ages of 18 and 74.

“I can’t imagine that smoking cannabis moderately daily is going to touch somebody who smokes tobacco on a fraction of a portion of a pack daily,” said Mandell.

The NIH did find that smoking weed has similar cardiovascular risks when compared to smoking tobacco.

Those with Jefferson County Public Health say they’ve been waiting for a study like this from NIH.

“We know THC content in marijuana is much more potent than it was years ago and that’s a danger to people but we never really had a study yet,” said Public Health Director Steve Jennings.

Mandell points out there are risks with other things people consume like caffeine and energy drinks, and people can make up their own minds.

Meanwhile, health officials point to this study and want people to be aware of the health risks that come with using cannabis.

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