#Legalization

A new wave of scientific concern is cresting over cannabis use, as recent research finds that using marijuana—whether smoked or eaten in gummies—is directly associated with significant risks to heart health. The findings, published in JAMA Cardiology and led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), upend the common belief that cannabis is a safer or even harmless alternative to tobacco, particularly as legalization and recreational use continue to rise worldwide, including in Thailand.

A new study raises serious concerns about cannabis and heart health. Research led by investigators at UCSF and published in JAMA Cardiology shows that cannabis use—whether smoked or consumed as edibles—may impair cardiovascular function. The findings challenge the idea that cannabis is a safer alternative to tobacco, especially as legalization and consumer use expand globally, including in Thailand.

For Thai readers, the study arrives at a moment when policy, health messaging, and potential economic benefits of cannabis are hotly debated. Thailand has moved to legalize certain cannabis activities, creating a local landscape where public health guidance needs to keep pace with evolving regulations. The new evidence underscores the importance of clear information for patients, clinicians, and regulators.