Daily Cannabis Use Linked to 40% Higher Heart Disease Risk in Adults Under 50 | Research

The takeaway

Among 88,000+ U.S. adults under 50, daily cannabis users had 40% higher odds of heart disease, with a clear dose-response: each 90-day increase in use raised heart disease odds by 9%.

Young adult cannabis users, cardiologists, primary care physicians, and anyone interested in cardiovascular health risks of cannabis.

What the researchers found

Each 90-day increase in annual cannabis use was associated with 9% higher odds of heart disease (aOR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15). Daily users had 40% higher odds (aOR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.11-1.76). A clear positive linear dose-response relationship was observed after controlling for demographics, smoking, and heavy drinking.

Why it matters

Heart disease in younger adults is rising, and cannabis use is increasing in the same population. This dose-response relationship — more cannabis use equals more heart disease risk — identifies cannabis as a potential modifiable risk factor for early-onset cardiovascular disease.

The numbers in context

88,166 adults aged 18-49. Each 90 days of cannabis use: +9% heart disease odds (aOR 1.09). Daily users: +40% odds (aOR 1.40). Controlled for demographics, smoking, heavy drinking. Clear linear dose-response relationship.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional analysis of 88,166 U.S. adults aged 18-49 from the 2021-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Cannabis use frequency measured as past-year use days. Weighted logistic regression and dose-response analysis controlling for demographics, smoking, and heavy drinking.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional — cannot prove cannabis causes heart disease. Self-reported cannabis use and heart disease diagnosis. Residual confounding despite controlling for smoking and drinking. Cannot distinguish smoking from other consumption methods.

How to read the evidence

Large nationally representative sample with dose-response analysis, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.

When this study was published

Published in 2026, using the most recent NSDUH data (2021-2023).

The bigger picture

Combined with the heart failure study (RTHC-08238), a consistent picture is emerging: cannabis use is associated with meaningful cardiovascular risk, particularly with frequent use. For young adults who view cannabis as harmless, this dose-response data provides important context.

Questions still open

Is the cardiovascular risk from smoking specifically or from cannabinoids? Would non-combustion methods reduce heart disease risk? At what frequency does cannabis use become cardiotoxic?

Common questions

Can cannabis cause heart disease in young people?

This study can't prove causation, but it found a clear dose-response relationship: daily cannabis users under 50 had 40% higher odds of heart disease, and each 90 additional days of use raised risk by 9%. It's a signal worth taking seriously.

How does cannabis compare to smoking for heart risk?

This study controlled for cigarette smoking and still found an independent cannabis effect. However, it couldn't determine if the risk comes from smoking cannabis specifically or from cannabinoids themselves.

Read the original research

Assessing the association between cannabis use frequency and heart disease in adults aged under 50: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2021-2023.

Preventive medicine, 202, 108437

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Earl, Mason; Bhandari, Ruchi. (2026). Assessing the association between cannabis use frequency and heart disease in adults aged under 50: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2021-2023.. Preventive medicine, 202, 108437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2025.108437