Association of Endothelial Dysfunction With Chronic Marijuana Smoking and THC-Edible Use
Abstract
Importance
Recreational and medicinal cannabis legalization has led to increased cannabis use. To understand the consequences for vascular health, we initiated the CANnabis: Does It Damage Endothelium (CANDIDE) study.
Objective
To investigate whether cannabis use is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction.
Design, Setting, and Participants
In this cross-sectional study, sex- and age- matched healthy adults, aged 18 to 50 years, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, who neither smoke tobacco nor vape and were not frequently exposed to secondhand smoke were recruited into 3 cohorts: 2 chronic cannabis user groups (marijuana smokers and tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]-edible users) and 1 nonuser group. Participants were recruited from October 25, 2021, through August 1, 2024; analysis was completed September 2024. Participants' arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to participant sera with and without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to assess the effects of user serum on endothelial nitric oxide production.
Main Outcomes and Measures
FMD and PWV were direct physiological measurements, and VEGF-stimulated nitric oxide production was measured from HUVECs incubated in user serum samples.
Results
Among 55 participants (20 female [37%]; 35 male [63%], mean age, 31.3 [SD, 8.4] years) arterial FMD was significantly lower among the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 55 participants or records.
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