420 Celebrations Shadowed by Dementia Study

Millions of cannabis enthusiasts are preparing to celebrate 420 Day this Sunday.
But the festivities come on the heels of a new study raising concerns about long-term marijuana use.
Researchers examined data from over six million Canadians.
They found that individuals hospitalized or visiting the ER for cannabis-related issues faced an increased risk of dementia.
Within five years, 5% of those individuals were diagnosed with the condition.
That number jumped to 19% within ten years.
The findings are prompting deeper discussions about the health effects of marijuana use.
A co-author of the study pointed out that daily or near-daily marijuana use in the U.S. surpassed alcohol use in 2022.
This shift marks a significant change in substance use habits.
Experts say more research is needed to understand the connection between cannabis and brain health.
Still, the study is sparking fresh concern ahead of the annual 420 celebrations.
Full details are available in the April 14th edition of JAMA Neurology.