COVID-19 Breakthrough Cases Linked to Marijuana Use, Study Finds



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Heavy marijuana users who are also vaccinated may be more susceptible to breakthrough cases of COVID-19, according to a new study.

The study, published last Tuesday in World Psychology, found that people with substance use disorder (SUD) – addiction to marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, opioids and tobacco – were more likely to contract the coronavirus after receiving their two vaccines.

Those without SUD saw a 3.6 percent rate of breakthrough infections, compared to a rate of 7 percent among those with SUD.

At 7.8 percent, people with disorders related to marijuana use were most at risk for breakthrough infections, according to the study.

Among other substances, the risk has vanished when considering issues such as underlying health issues and socioeconomic status.

The difference was not linked directly to the use of marijuana, but could be linked to the behavior of people addicted to marijuana.

“Patients with cannabis use disorders, who were younger and had fewer comorbidities than other SUD subtypes, had a higher risk of breakthrough infection even after being matched for socio-determinants. “Adverse economic health and comorbid medical conditions with non-SUD patients,” the researchers wrote.

“Additional variables, such as behavioral factors or the adverse effects of cannabis on lung and immune function, could contribute to the higher risk of breakthrough infection in this group. “

Marijuana advocates said the study did not show marijuana could be a cause in breakup cases, also noting that most marijuana users are not addicted to the drug.

“This study is limited to people with ‘substance use disorder’, which is a very small subset of cannabis users,” Morgan Fox, director of media relations for the National, told Newsweek. Cannabis Industry Association.

“It is simply a correlation and does not show a cause and effect relationship… individual behavioral patterns and social conditions can be a major contributing factor beyond simply presenting problematic substance use patterns. , such as lack of access to reliable information, sharing of joints, etc. ” she said.

“Obviously, more studies are welcome and necessary, but it is important not to overestimate or distort the very inconclusive results presented in this particular research and to ensure that cannabis users are properly informed of what the most recent research actually indicates, “Fox added.

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