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Experts Warn of Serious Health Risks from Cannabis Boom During 'High January'
New research links marijuana use to higher heart attack risk, cardiovascular death, and impacts on brain and sleep health.
Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:31am
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As cannabis use continues to rise in the US, with around 15% of Americans being current users and over 22% having used it in the past year, experts are warning about the serious health risks associated with marijuana consumption. The popularity of cannabis has surged during the 'High January' trend, as more people cut out alcohol amid the Dry January movement. However, mental health professionals and addiction specialists caution that today's cannabis products are far more potent than in previous decades, leading to a range of negative effects including increased anxiety, panic, emotional blunting, and in some cases, paranoia or psychosis. Experts also highlight the risks of cannabis use for brain function, heart health, and sleep quality.
Why it matters
The growing acceptance and use of cannabis, fueled by the 'High January' trend, raises concerns about the public's understanding of the drug's potential health risks. While marijuana has been touted for potential medical benefits, experts warn that the more potent products available today can have serious mental, physical, and physiological consequences, especially for vulnerable populations. This story highlights the need for more research and evidence-based policymaking around cannabis use.
The details
Recent studies have found that marijuana users face a 29% higher risk of heart attack, a 20% higher risk of stroke, and twice the chances of cardiovascular death compared to non-users. Cannabis use has also been linked to disruptions in sleep architecture, leading to chronic REM sleep deprivation and increased reliance on the drug to fall asleep. Experts caution that while marijuana may initially help with sleep, its long-term use can worsen sleep quality. Additionally, around 30% of cannabis users develop a cannabis use disorder, marked by an inability to stop using the substance despite negative effects.
- In December 2025, President Trump issued an executive order calling for marijuana to be changed from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
- Between 2019 and 2020, emergency department visits for cannabis-induced mental health disorders rose nearly 50% and remained elevated through 2023.
The players
Corey Gamberg
A mental health and addiction specialist who serves as the executive director of the Rockland Recovery Center and Massachusetts Center for Addiction.
Trent Carter
A board-certified nurse practitioner, addiction recovery expert, and founder of Renew Health, an outpatient treatment center in New Mexico.
Brianna Cartwright
The principal research analyst for Truveta, a health data company that aggregates de-identified electronic health records from a large network of U.S. health systems.
Chelsie Rohrscheib
A neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York.
Nicole Short
A clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who focuses on cannabis use disorder.
What they’re saying
“There's a widespread belief that marijuana is 'natural' and therefore harmless. In reality, today's products are far more potent than in previous decades, and we're seeing very real mental, emotional and physical consequences in clinical settings every day.”
— Corey Gamberg, Mental health and addiction specialist (Fox News Digital)
“As time went on, I discovered that the vast majority used marijuana to treat a number of mental and physical issues, only to induce a litany of other symptoms as a result.”
— Trent Carter, Board-certified nurse practitioner, addiction recovery expert (Fox News Digital)
“While people with mental health conditions are more likely to use cannabis, evidence also suggests cannabis use may be linked to earlier onset of certain psychiatric disorders.”
— Brianna Cartwright, Principal research analyst, Truveta (Fox News Digital)
“THC suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, disrupting normal sleep architecture and interfering with essential processes such as neural plasticity, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.”
— Chelsie Rohrscheib, Neuroscientist and sleep specialist, Wesper (Fox News Digital)
“This is untrue — it is possible to become physiologically dependent on cannabis and it is possible to develop a cannabis use disorder. There is always a risk of addiction related to cannabis use, and it is difficult to treat once it is developed.”
— Nicole Short, Clinical psychologist, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Fox News Digital)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This story highlights the growing concerns about the health risks associated with the increasing use of cannabis, particularly during the 'High January' trend. As more people turn to marijuana, it is crucial for the public to have access to objective, evidence-based information about the potential mental, physical, and physiological consequences of cannabis use, especially with the more potent products available today.
