Does cannabis usage lead to more hospital visits?
According to a Canadian study by the BMJ Open Respiratory Research, people who used cannabis were hospitalized or went to emergency rooms 22% more often than those who did not partake.
Researchers at Unity Health Toronto and ICES, an independent, non-profit research institute formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Canada, led the research. Their study was on Ontario residents aged 12-65 between Jan. 1 2009-Dec. 31, 2015.
“Our research demonstrates that cannabis use in the general population is associated with heightened risk of clinically serious negative outcomes, specifically, needing to present to the ED or be admitted to hospital,” lead author Dr. Nicholas Vozoris, a lung specialist at St. Michael’s and an associate scientist at its Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, said in a press release.
“Unlike tobacco, there is some uncertainty or controversy regarding the adverse health impacts of cannabis. Some individuals may perceive that cannabis has some health benefits and is otherwise benign. Our research highlights to those using — or considering to use — cannabis, that this is associated with important negative health events.”
The study sought to determine if there was an association between marijuana use and hospitalizations or emergency room visits that were related to lung issues.
“The results of our research support that health care professionals and government should discourage recreational cannabis consumption in the general population. Given the context of cannabis decriminalization in Canada, which has very likely facilitated the broader use of this product in the population, more efforts need to made from our health and political leaders to educate and remind citizens about the harmful impacts of cannabis on health,” Vozoris said.
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