Emergency care and hospitalizations are 22 percent higher among Canadians who use cannabis compared with those who don’t, a new study has found.
The study, led by researchers at Unity Health Toronto, a Catholic hospital network, found that recreational cannabis use is linked to a heightened risk of emergency care and hospital admission for any cause.
According to lead author Dr. Nicholas Vozoris, a respirologist at St. Michael’s Hospital and associate scientist at the hospital’s Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, cannabis is not as harmless as proponents might think.
“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 behaviour is associated with important negative health events,” he said in a statement on June 28….