Heart hospitalizations climbed after marijuana legalized, study finds

Key Points:

• A study analyzing over 50 million hospital records found that recreational marijuana legalization in 13 Western U.S. states was linked to faster increases in hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and heart attacks compared to regions without such laws.
• Hospital admission rates rose over 2% faster for atrial fibrillation, nearly 4% faster for heart failure, and just over 3% faster for heart attacks after legalization, while increases in stroke, blood clots, and ventricular tachycardia were not statistically significant.
• Researchers suggest cannabis may impact cardiovascular health through effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and blood clotting, with legalization associated with increased use, including among older adults at higher cardiovascular risk.
• The study is observational and cannot establish causality; it lacked data on individual cannabis use, consumption methods, or illegal cannabis use, highlighting the need for further research and monitoring as more states legalize recreational marijuana.
• As of mid-2025, recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states and medical cannabis in 41 states, underscoring the public health importance of understanding cannabis's cardiovascular effects.