Pubdate: Thu, 24 Apr 2014
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Telegraph Media Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Page: 12

CANNABIS 'DAMAGES HEART AND ARTERIES'

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, about a quarter of the total, died. Most of the
patients were male, with an average age of 34.3 years, and people with
pre-existing cardiovascular weaknesses appeared to be more prone to
the harmful effects of the drug.

Dr Emilie Jouanjus, from the University of Toulouse, who led the
study, said: "The general public thinks marijuana is harmless, but
information revealing the potential health dangers of marijuana use
needs to be disseminated."

She added that further analysis was necessary "given that the
medicinal use of marijuana has become more prevalent and some
governments are legalising its use".
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt