Dr. Jeremy London, MD, who often shares health information on platforms like TikTok, explained: “Let’s all agree on one thing, that lungs have one simple function and that’s to bring air into and out of your lungs. Anything else is potentially harmful.”

Weed is legalised in many US states

He added that he hears from many people who believe marijuana is safe simply because it is “natural.” He emphasized that this assumption doesn’t reflect what he sees in his field or in the operating room.

Dr. London continued: “Smoking marijuana increases your risk of coronary disease and acute heart attack by 1.3 to two times [compared] to those that don’t smoke marijuana regularly.”

He also pointed out that this increased risk mirrors what doctors see in people with high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. These factors place strain on the heart, which can lead to more serious health problems down the line.

Smoking marijuana can be damaging

The heart surgeon then shared what he has observed in patients who smoke weed regularly. He described the changes he’s seen firsthand, adding: “I have operated on multiple patients over the years that smoke marijuana regularly and I can tell you their lungs are totally black, and it looks like they’ve worked in a coal mine.”

“They’ve got such severe blockages that I have to do bypass surgery. These are folks that have never smoked a cigarette in their lives.”

Other medical experts have echoed his concerns. One study examining the connection between cannabis use and heart attacks found that people who used the drug had a 50 percent higher risk of experiencing a heart attack compared to non-users.

At the same time, the American Lung Association is warning the public “against smoking marijuana because of the risk of damage to the lungs.”

The organization continues to encourage people to consider how smoke of any kind can affect long-term lung health.