Death by Marijuana: Is It Possible?

The only person who died from marijuana was crushed under the weight of it. He did not die from the chemical effects of marijuana, but he died because he was heavily pressed by the sheer amount of weed he was carrying. 

The unfortunate event took place ten years ago, on September 12, 2015. There was a smell of marijuana in the gray car that was traveling that Saturday on the BR-267 highway connecting Mato Grosso do Sul with São Paulo, Brazil. The driver was carrying 500 kilos of pressed cannabis, judging by its shape. At a Federal Highway Police checkpoint, the man was instructed to stop. He did not comply, and instead accelerated his speed and fled the scene. 

There was a chase, and the man, whose identity was not revealed in the press, entered a small town to evade the police. The anonymous driver loaded with marijuana entered Bataguassu, a town more than 210 miles from Campo Grande. But he lost control of the vehicle, according to the fire department report, and crashed into a tree on a side street. 

The unnamed individual was battered by the half-ton of marihuana found on his backseat. It was the first case where marijuana, or rather the physical quantity of pressed packages, proved to be lethal. 

But Seriously: Does Marijuana Kill? 

There are no known cases worldwide of poisoning from any type of consumption of marijuana or its derivatives. Period. The toxicity of cannabis alone does not pose a risk of death. Deaths associated with cannabis are usually due to accidents, mixing with other substances, or pre-existing conditions, but never has there been a case of fatal overdose of THC. This has also been concluded in a study, titled Can cannabis kill? Characteristics of deaths following cannabis use in England (1998-2020). 

No Scientific Evidence That Marijuana is Lethal 

On one hand, the science is clear: there is no evidence that a healthy person can die solely from consuming marijuana. There are no records of fatal overdoses, as is the case with alcohol or opioids. 

But on the other hand, the real risk lies in associated behaviors, such as driving under the influence, or pre-existing health problems. One study suggests that some deaths can be attributed to smoking cannabis, or at least that heavy use can contribute to death in certain cases. Heart attack, thrombus formation and stroke have all been linked with the use of marijuana, according to the same study. 

Therefore, the responsibility largely falls on the user. If you are a heavy smoker for many years now, an annual checkup at the doctor is recommended. Even if you feel fine. Health risks from smoking are preventable. In fact, nowadays they can be completely avoided. Smoking can be substituted with various other types of consumption and products available on the market that are deemed much safer. 

More from Soft Secrets:

• Cannabis Can Help Control Opioid Abuse, Users Say

• Can You Smoke Weed and Keep Your Lungs Healthy? 

• Does Marijuana Really Increase the Risk of Heart Attack? 

Soft Secrets Latin America originally reported on this story.