[link to www.nzherald.co.nz]


4:50 PM Tuesday Feb 5, 2013


Cannabis use may double the stroke risk in young adults, according to a recent study.

The study by Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research found stroke patients were 2.3 times more likely to have cannabis detected in urine tests compared with patients of the same age and sex.

"This is the first case-controlled study to show a possible link to the increased risk of stroke from cannabis," Professor Alan Barber said.

"Cannabis has been thought by the public to be a relatively safe, although illegal substance. This study shows this might not be the case - it may lead to stroke."

Prof Barber, the lead investigator for the study, this week presented the findings to the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Honolulu.

"People need to think twice about using cannabis because it can affect brain development and result in emphysema, heart attack and now stroke."

[more at link]