Thursday, November 21, 2024

New Study Says Marijuana Users More Likely To Need Emergency Care

New study says marijuana users are more likely to visit the ER and be hospitalized when compared to nonusers.

A new study says marijuana users more likely to need emergency care, painting a different picture than most people think. The study claims marijuana users are more likely to be visit emergency rooms when compared to non-users.

The study, published in the journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research, relied on self-reporting from Canadian residents between the ages of 12-65 over a six-year period. After adjusting for counfounding factors, cannabis users were 22% more likely to visit the ER or to be hospitalized.

marijuana pipe
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

RELATED: How To Avoid Going To The Emergency Room For Marijuana Overdose

Per the study’s abstract, its objective was “to evaluate the association between cannabis use and respiratory-related emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalisations.” Researchers didn’t find a link between cannabis use and respiratory emergency occurrences, instead, they found that people who consumed cannabis often visited the ER due to physical bodily injury.

“Physical bodily injury was the leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations among the cannabis users, with respiratory reasons coming in a close second,” said study author Nicholas Vozoris, in an email exchange with CNN.

“Although no significant association was observed between cannabis use and respiratory-related ER visits or hospitalisations, the risk of an equally important morbidity outcome, all-cause ER visit or hospitalisation, was significantly greater among cannabis users than among control individuals,” concludes the research.

Marijuana use has long been associated with slower response times from users, which is why most experts recommend avoiding the use of heavy machinery or doing any physical task that demands coordination after consuming cannabis. This is a valid concern, yet one that shouldn’t be mythologized and brought out of proportion.

emergency room
Photo by MJFelt/Getty Images

RELATED: Heat Waves And Weed: 5 Ways Summer Heat Can Affect Your High

There are a lot of things we don’t know about cannabis, making it a priority for researchers and experts to analyze every possible aspect of the drug and how it could impact the population as a whole. Still, it’s important not to fall back on fear mongering; as we continue to embark on this new stage of cannabis use on a national level, responsible authorities should advocate for safe and responsible use of the drug.

MUST READ

How Marijuana Can Help Your Golf Game

The game is growing in popularity with all ages. Here is how marijuana can help your golf game.

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

The Best Small Ways To Improve Work Productivity

Some days you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, here are the best small ways to improve work productivity.

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.