It’s something we’ve known for years that smoking is not good for health. However, when we say this, we are talking about tobacco, which is a substance that affects not only our lungs but also our cardiovascular health. Now a new study has found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, may also be linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It also opens the way to get rid of this effect.

Double perspective. The study relies on two analyzes to reach this conclusion. The first is an epidemiological study using data from 500,000 UK participants, of whom 11,000 smoke more than once a month. This study allowed for factors such as age, gender, and other cardiovascular health-related factors to be controlled for. He found a positive association between marijuana use and cardiovascular problems.

But correlation does not mean cause. Although other factors have been controlled for, the study cannot definitively determine whether there is a direct causal relationship, thus classifying cannabis use as a risk factor. One thing to keep in mind is that most of the consumption of this substance is done by smoking. This makes it difficult to distinguish between the effects of the substance itself and the effects of the way it is consumed.

The secret may lie in the cells of our veins and arteries. The second part of the analysis was biochemical. The team discovered that THC causes inflammation of the cells lining the blood vessels, which are endothelial cells; as well as the deposition of fat and other substances in the walls of the arteries or in atherosclerosis. At least in mice.

This second analysis is the analysis that contains the good news, and that genistein, a molecule found in certain legumes such as beans or soybeans, can prevent this inflammation. Also, genistein does not reach our brain in sufficient quantities to prevent THC from having pain and nausea-relieving or appetite-stimulating effects.

Legalization of cannabis continues to gain momentum in Spain.
Exactly these three are the key factors mentioned in the previous paragraph in the medical use of cannabis. Since mid-2021, the Congress of Deputies has had a subcommittee trying to analyze experience with regulating cannabis for medical use. This is an issue that has been on the legislative agenda for some time, but the social debate goes further and includes legalizing its recreational use.

Spain will not be the first country to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, and it should be noted that its use is now decriminalized. There are strong socioeconomic arguments in favor of legalization. First of all, because it will mean different economic benefits, higher tax collection, new jobs and the emergence of part of the now sunk economy.

Promises of legalization.
In Canada, this translated into $34.3 billion (US) GDP growth, estimated by consulting firm Deloitte. The revenue of the state coffers was also $11.9 billion, according to Deloitte. Imports of the Canadian model is a possibility, which may mean slightly more modest numbers, as Canadian GDP is about 30% higher than Spanish, but tourism is perhaps one of them, although there are many factors that will influence the figure. most important.

Money isn’t everything, and there are social reasons why recreational use is legalized. This means, for example, easier containment of cases where use turns into abuse, less stigma associated with the risk of social exclusion in some individuals, and eliminating a source of income in gangs dedicated to the drug trade. … and a drop in crime.

And its disadvantages.
In any case, cannabis is not a harmless substance to health. The legalization of recreational marijuana has brought with it problems such as a temporary increase in traffic accidents. These policies can also be expected to have a negative impact on long-term cardiorespiratory health. The liberalizing trend in marijuana contrasts with greater control of already legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco.

And how does this study affect the debate over the legalization of marijuana?
Considering the medical use of marijuana, very little. Marijuana treatments do not imply the need to smoke the product, so some of the irritating effects do not occur. Second, it should be clarified that medical marijuana does not necessarily involve the use of THC, as ingredients such as CBD can also be used in this context. Medical cannabis can be used in palliative care, in which case the possible long-term side effects are of little importance.

It should also be noted that the use of medical cannabis is done under medical supervision. In this sense, although more research is needed to evaluate their effects, the study can be considered to represent good news, as genistein supplements are already available.

Regarding recreational use of marijuana, the results of this study are more uncertain as health effects coexist. Legalization is often accompanied by a stronger and therefore more “irritating” product. It is also more common to add the substance in recreational use, so more adverse effects are expected. On the other hand, it is worth referring to the use of the term “risk factor” as it implies that many other unobserved factors are associated with these factors, including socioeconomic factors associated with the covert use of cannabis.

Image | Eduardo Verdugo/AP