Can You Die From Smoking Weed?

Not in any direct way. The global statistic for marijuana deaths is consistently zero. According to a 2014 report in the United States, deaths by cannabis were zero compared to “illicit drugs combined” at 17,000 and “alcohol induced” at 30,722, “opioids” at 28,000 and “cigarette smoking” which causes one out of every five deaths annually.

While there is no direct link to marijuana use and death (for example by overdosing), experts believe that the drug can do long-term harm in other ways that might eventually lead to death. Since marijuana is smoked, it is an irritant to the lungs. Many studies have indicated that a single joint is equal to as many as twenty cigarettes in terms of lung damage. It can thus cause chronic coughing and predispose one to serious lung infections. Having said this, the National Center on Drug Abuse in the United States says there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that marijuana can cause lung cancer.

Additionally, marijuana use poses cardiovascular risks. Smoking marijuana can both double your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Other studies suggest that it can increase your risk of a heart attack, especially during the first hour of use. Another heart risk posed by the drug is a condition called cannabis arteritis, which is an arterial disease that, if left unchecked, can result in amputations. A study in the journal Forensic Science outlined two fatal cases of cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms) that were triggered by marijuana smoking. It is thus recommended that anyone who has or may be at risk of having heart disease abstains from the drug to prevent death.

In a roundabout way, marijuana deaths can also occur if the user decides to drive while under the influence. The drug’s effects can interfere with judgment, concentration, and coordination, which can seriously diminish one’s capacity to operate a vehicle. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use among drivers more than doubles the potential of getting into an accident.

Marijuana use can also lead to death by its capacity to lull users into a state of severe depression after prolonged usage. The drug has indeed been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. In high doses, it can also cause hallucinations, paranoia and intensify symptoms of schizophrenia.

It is always recommended that you consult with a physician or nurse practitioner prior to self-medicating.