Marijuana is shaping up to be Gen Z’s drug of choice, beating out alcohol. But research is finding that weed increases the risk of heart problems, even if you don’t smoke it.

Marijuana is shaping up to be Gen Z’s drug of choice, beating out alcohol. But research is finding that weed increases the risk of heart problems, even if you don’t smoke it. EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

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Gen Z may be cutting back on booze, but could still be facing serious health risks from their new drug of choice.

Cannabis use has been steadily growing in recent years, and Gallup polls suggest it’s catching on most with Americans aged 18 to 34.

At the same time, 20-somethings are spending less time and money than ever in bars and liquor stores (and worrying alcohol industry leaders), in part because of a growing movement of health-consciousness.

Sinking alcohol sales in recent years have coincided with a renewed focus on the health risks of drinking, including the link between any amount of alcohol use and cancer.

With an outpouring of products like THC-infused seltzers, mocktails, and tinctures that offer a buzz without the hangover, the cannabis industry is capitalizing on dwindling interest in alcohol.

These alternatives cater to young people who are sober-curious, drinking less without abstaining completely, or “Cali sober,” giving up alcohol while still consuming cannabis.

However, emerging research suggests alternatives like cannabis aren’t risk-free either

Using cannabis may double your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, according to a large study published June 17 in the journal Heart.

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Researchers from the University of Toulouse looked at data from 24 studies, including about 200 million people primarily between ages 19 and 59, to see how cannabis use affected health over time.

They found that cannabis users had a 29% higher risk of heart attack, and a 20% higher risk of stroke, compared to peers who didn’t use.

A striking number of these patients who were hospitalized for heart problems are young and did not have a prior history of related medical issues or risk factors, the study’s senior author Émilie Jouanjus, associate professor of pharmacology at the University of Toulouse, told CNN.

Edibles may not be risk-free, either. Previous research found that ingesting THC, the active ingredient in cannabis linked to the sensation of being high, is linked to cellular dysfunction, which increases risks to heart health, even if you don’t smoke it.

The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that although cannabis isn’t the outsize threat presented during the “Reefer Madness” era, it has significant health risks, and scientists are urging more caution from consumers.

An editorial published alongside the most recent study calls for a closer look at regulation of the emerging cannabis market, including warning labels similar to those on cigarettes.

“Regulation is focused on establishing the legal market with woeful neglect of minimizing health risks,” the authors wrote. “Specifically, cannabis should be treated like tobacco: not criminalized but discouraged.”