LYNNWOOD—As Lynnwood City Councilmembers consider approving retail cannabis in September, a growing body of research is shedding light on its potential health risks, particularly for young people, frequent users, and persons exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke.
Recent studies point to increased risks of addiction, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and mental health issues linked to cannabis and its primary psychoactive component, THC, while some argue that cannabis offers health benefits and safer consumption methods. However, as THC potency rises and vaping trends among teens escalate, the mounting evidence of harm is prompting calls for stricter regulation and public education.
The debate over cannabis remains complex with the scientific community calling for caution, emphasizing that the full scope of its long-term effects is still unfolding.
Rising Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder (CUD), a condition characterized by dependence on cannabis, is becoming a significant public health concern. In an article written by Mark S. Gold, M.D., in Psychology Today, referencing a longitudinal study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) titled, “Association of State Cannabis Legalization with Cannabis Use Disorder and Cannabis Poisoning,” analyzed the impact of state-level medical and recreational cannabis laws on cannabis use disorder of over 110 million employer-sponsored health insurance enrollees and found that states with legalized medical cannabis saw a 42.7% increase in CUD and nearly double the rate of cannabis poisonings compared to states without such laws.
Gold also references a February 6, 2025, JAMA Network Open study of 11.6 million people studied for a median of 5 years, which revealed that individuals hospitalized for CUD had nearly three times the risk of death within five years compared to the general population…