Studying the Effects of Cannabis on Vasculature

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, but the investigators do not know the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. The investigators have data from cell culture and small animal studies that cannabis is toxic to the cardiovascular system. Recently legalized in Canada, the long-term effects of cannabis use on the cardiovascular system may not be apparent for several decades. The purpose of this study is to test the effect of cannabis use on the vascular system. Using a non-invasive test of vascular function, the investigators would like to assess the effects of cannabis on chronic cannabis users. The investigators would also like to test if cannabis use by smoking and/or vaping causes adverse cardiovascular effects acutely. Lastly, the investigators would like to test blood from chronic cannabis users for inflammatory cytokines, which could further support our hypothesis that cannabis damages the cardiovascular system via inflammation.

Inclusion criteria

• age: 19 to 80
• males and females
• all ethnicities
• cannabis use at least 3-4 times per week or more in the past 6 months (50 volunteers, experimental group)
• patients who do not use cannabis (50 volunteers, control group)
• no history of cardiovascular disease

Exclusion criteria

• that ingest cannabis containing cannabidiol (CBD)
• that are unable to provide a receipt for the cannabis product(s) they ingest
• that are unwilling to stop consuming soy products and/or genistein 48 hours prior to appointments.