Can Marijuana Kill You? - Medical News Today

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SubscribeCan cannabis kill you?Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Jon Johnson and Mia Blake — Updated on July 2, 2025

• Risks of cannabis
• Cannabis and pregnancy
• Using cannabis safely
• Summary

While cannabis, also called weed, pot, or marijuana, may have both short and long-term adverse side effects, there is limited research as to whether using it can cause death.

Smoking cannabis can, however, impair judgment and motor skills, so smoking it before driving or doing other dangerous activities may increase the risk of an accident. However, most experts consider the risk of dying from cannabis itself to be very low.

This does not mean cannabis is a risk-free substance. While many people focus on the beneficial compounds in cannabis, such as cannabidiol (CBD), there are some possible adverse side effects of cannabis, especially when using it long term.

Keep reading to learn more about the health risks of cannabis and whether or not it could potentially cause death.

Is cannabis dangerous?

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Although it is unlikely for a person to overdose on cannabis, it can contribute to injury or fatal outcomes through:

• impaired driving or behaviour that may have harmful effects
• triggering psychiatric or cardiac episodes
• use of dangerous synthetic alternatives

Impaired behaviour

Cannabis affects areas of the brain responsible for coordination, attention, and decision making. This can lead to impaired driving, dangerous stunts, or accidental injuries from falls or unconsciousness.

Heart complications

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), smoking cannabis can increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke.

Daily use of cannabis through smoking can increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 25%, and 42% for stroke, compared to those who do not use cannabis.

Psychiatric episodes

There have also been some reports of psychiatric episodes triggered by cannabis. One 2019 study references two reports of people experiencing acute psychotic episodes after using cannabis.

In one instance, the only drug in the person’s system was cannabis, and the person had no family history of mental health illnesses. In the other case study, a senior individual ate some cannabis products for the first time and began to display some unusual behavior.

Synthetic cannabis

While natural cannabis is often seen as relatively low risk, synthetic cannabis, often sold under names like Spice, K2, or herbal incense, is a very different and more dangerous substance.

Synthetic cannabinoids are manufactured chemicals designed to mimic THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. But they are often much more potent, unpredictable, and toxic, with effects that can be severe or even fatal.

Despite these incidents, compared to the deaths caused by other drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, many people consider cannabis to be relatively safe.

Can cannabis harm a fetus during pregnancy?

Most doctors recommend that pregnant people do not smoke any substance because the contents of the smoke may pass to the baby.

A study in Pharmacology & Therapeutics notes that compounds such as THC readily pass to the placenta. Though the fetus may experience lower levels of THC than the mother, it could still affect them in the long term.

While scientists have not found that cannabis causes physical abnormalities at birth, they have found associations between fetal exposure and changes in physical growth early in life, including low birth weight.

Evidence also suggests it has an adverse mental impact on the developing child, including heightened behaviors of anxiety and depression.

Until more research analyzes THC as a potential toxin for fetuses in the womb, researchers suggest pregnant people should not assume that cannabis is safe for them to use.

How to use cannabis safely

Cannabis affects everyone differently, and while many people use it without serious problems, it is important to understand that it is not risk-free. Whether for recreational or medicinal use, being informed and mindful about cannabis use can reduce harm.

Here are some tips on using cannabis safely:

• Know the product: In places where cannabis is legal, a person can stick to natural cannabis from trusted sources. A person should always avoid synthetic cannabinoids, for example, Spice or K2, which are dangerous and can be deadly. Being aware of THC strength and strain can also help reduce anxiety and other psychoactive effects.
• Start low and go slow: A person should start with a small amount, especially if they are new to cannabis or trying a new product such as edibles or concentrates. Edibles can take a few hours to take effect, so a person should avoid taking more too soon.
• Never drive or operate machinery: Cannabis slows reaction time, impairs coordination, and affects decision making, even if a person feels fine. A person should never drive under the influence of drugs, and should wait at least 12 hours after using cannabis or edibles before driving.
• Pay attention to mental and physical health: For people with a family history of anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or heart problems, cannabis may increase the risk of symptoms or episodes. A person should stop using and seek support if they notice:
  • chest pain or heart palpitations
  • panic attacks or confusion
  • unusual thoughts or paranoia
• Use in a safe environment: A person should be in a familiar, safe place and around people they trust. It is best to avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or other drugs, which can increase the risk of accidents, blackouts, or harmful effects.
• Take breaks and reflect on use: If cannabis use starts to feel like a habit that a person cannot control, or it affects their mood, motivation, or relationships, they can consider talking with a healthcare professional.

Summary

While cannabis can have adverse effects on short and long-term health, there is limited research as to whether or not it can cause death.

There are a few recorded cases of people dying from possibly cannabis-induced complications of an existing medical condition, but these are inconclusive.

While most experts agree that it is not possible to smoke a lethal dose of cannabis in most cases, this does not mean that it is a harmless substance.

Pregnant people especially should avoid cannabis use until researchers and doctors know more about the potentially adverse effects on the fetus.

 

• Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
• Smoking / Quit Smoking

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Darke S, et al. (2019). Characteristics and circumstances of synthetic cannabinoid-related death.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31389266/
• Grant KS, et al. (2017). Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6211194/
• Moon AM, et al. (2018). Successful treatment of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with topical capsaicin.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758720/
• Smoking cannabis associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke. (2024).https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/smoking-cannabis-associated-increased-risk-heart-attack-stroke
• The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. (2017).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK423845/

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Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Jon Johnson and Mia Blake — Updated on July 2, 2025

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