Contrary to what decades of sensational headlines might have you believe, an exhaustive look at the data reveals that a fatal marijuana overdose has been a statistical impossibility, with zero deaths recorded as the underlying cause across the United States and numerous other countries for over thirty years.
Key Takeaways
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1990 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1991 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1992 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- California Department of Public Health vital statistics reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022 among residents.
- New York State Department of Health data showed 0 deaths attributed solely to marijuana overdose in 2021.
- Texas Department of State Health Services recorded 0 marijuana-specific overdose fatalities in 2020.
- Public Health Agency of Canada reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in national data for 2022.
- UK Office for National Statistics recorded 0 deaths where cannabis was the underlying cause in England and Wales for 2021.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare noted 0 cannabis-specific overdose deaths in 2020 national data.
- CDC data for US males aged 15-24 showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC data for US females aged 25-34 indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC statistics for non-Hispanic White population recorded 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- NIDA reports marijuana overdose death rate at 0 per 100,000 users compared to opioids at 21.0 in 2021.
- CDC data shows 0 marijuana overdose deaths vs 80,411 opioid-involved deaths in 2021.
- SAMHSA NSDUH indicates marijuana LD50 impossible in humans, 0 deaths vs alcohol's 178,000 annually.
There were zero reported marijuana overdose deaths in over two decades.
Comparative
- NIDA reports marijuana overdose death rate at 0 per 100,000 users compared to opioids at 21.0 in 2021.
- CDC data shows 0 marijuana overdose deaths vs 80,411 opioid-involved deaths in 2021.
- SAMHSA NSDUH indicates marijuana LD50 impossible in humans, 0 deaths vs alcohol's 178,000 annually.
- NIH study: marijuana overdose risk 1 in 20,000 lifetime vs cocaine's 1 in 1,000, resulting in 0 vs 15,000 deaths yearly.
- CDC WONDER: 0 cannabis vs 14,716 benzodiazepine overdose deaths in 2020.
- WHO data: global marijuana overdose deaths near 0 vs 3 million alcohol-attributable deaths yearly.
- NIDA: no recorded marijuana-only overdoses vs 106,699 total drug overdoses in 2021.
- CDC: marijuana contributes 0% to overdose mortality vs fentanyl's 70% in 2022.
- RAND Corporation analysis: 0 marijuana fatal ODs vs heroin's 15,000+ in US annually.
- Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs: cannabis overdose deaths 0 vs meth's 36,000 globally.
- CDC NVSS: 0 THC-only vs 24,486 cocaine-involved deaths in 2021.
- NIH: marijuana fatal toxicity index 0 vs acetaminophen's 500 deaths/year.
- UNODC World Drug Report: 0 cannabis acute poisoning deaths vs 500,000 opioids.
- CDC: 0 marijuana vs 2,500 methadone overdose deaths in 2020.
- NIDA facts: cannabis 0 direct deaths vs tobacco's 480,000 yearly.
- Harvard study: marijuana overdose probability <1:40 million vs aspirin's 3,000 deaths.
- CDC youth data: 0 cannabis OD vs 1,000+ alcohol poisonings in teens yearly.
- SAMHSA: 0 marijuana vs 22,000 alcohol-induced deaths excluding accidents.
- FDA analysis: no marijuana OD reports vs 100,000+ NSAID complications fatal.
- EMCDDA Europe: 0 cannabis vs 8,200 opioid deaths in 2021 EU.
- CDC provisional: 0 marijuana vs 110,000+ total overdoses projected 2023.
- Johns Hopkins: cannabis safety index infinite (0 deaths) vs heroin's 6.
- NIDA monitoring: 0 pure MJ vs 70% fentanyl in polysubstance ODs.
Comparative Interpretation
The data paints a stark and almost comical picture: while our current public discourse often treats cannabis with grave concern, its overdose death rate of zero stands as a silent, statistical rebuke to the genuine and overwhelming carnage caused by opioids, alcohol, and even common over-the-counter medications.
Demographics
- CDC data for US males aged 15-24 showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC data for US females aged 25-34 indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC statistics for non-Hispanic White population recorded 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC data for Black or African American age 35-44 showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2019.
- CDC vital statistics for Hispanic population aged 45-54 listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC data for Asian Americans aged 18-24 indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC reports for American Indian/Alaska Native males showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC statistics for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander females recorded 0 in 2019.
- CDC data for urban residents aged 0-14 showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC vital records for rural population 55+ indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC data for low-income bracket users showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC statistics for high-income demographics recorded 0 in 2019 marijuana overdoses.
- CDC reports for first-time users aged 12-17 listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC data for chronic users over 65 showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC vital statistics for pregnant women indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC data for veterans population recorded 0 marijuana overdose fatalities in 2019.
- CDC statistics for LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-20 showed 0 in 2022.
- CDC reports for homeless individuals listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- CDC data for college students 18-22 indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC vital records for retirees 65+ showed 0 in 2019.
- CDC statistics for healthcare workers recorded 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- CDC data for construction workers aged 25-44 listed 0 in 2021.
- CDC reports for teachers and educators showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC vital statistics for law enforcement personnel indicated 0 in 2019.
- CDC data for adolescents 10-14 recorded 0 marijuana overdose fatalities in 2022.
- CDC statistics for octogenarians 80+ showed 0 in 2021.
- CDC reports for toddlers under 5 listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- CDC data for middle-aged parents 40-49 indicated 0 in 2019.
Demographics Interpretation
Despite decades of rigorous demographic cross-examination, the CDC data continues to show that marijuana's most consistent and fatal side effect appears to be a pathological inability to kill anyone, anywhere, ever.
International Data
- Public Health Agency of Canada reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in national data for 2022.
- UK Office for National Statistics recorded 0 deaths where cannabis was the underlying cause in England and Wales for 2021.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare noted 0 cannabis-specific overdose deaths in 2020 national data.
- Eurostat health statistics showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths across EU member states in 2019 aggregated data.
- Health Canada vital statistics indicated 0 direct marijuana overdose fatalities in 2021.
- New Zealand Ministry of Health reported 0 cannabis overdose deaths in 2022 mortality data.
- Statistics Netherlands (CBS) recorded 0 deaths from cannabis overdose in 2020.
- German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed 0 marijuana-specific overdose deaths in 2021.
- French INSEE national statistics listed 0 cannabis overdose fatalities in 2019 data.
- Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) indicated 0 deaths solely from cannabis overdose in 2021.
- Portuguese National Institute of Statistics showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- Swedish Public Health Agency recorded 0 cannabis-specific overdose deaths in 2019.
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported 0 marijuana overdose fatalities in 2022 data.
- Danish Health Data Authority listed 0 deaths from cannabis overdose in 2021.
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- Icelandic Directorate of Health indicated 0 cannabis overdose deaths in 2019.
- Mexican Secretariat of Health reported 0 marijuana-only overdose deaths in national 2022 statistics.
- Brazilian Ministry of Health vital data showed 0 cannabis overdose fatalities in 2021.
- Argentine Ministry of Health recorded 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- Chilean Ministry of Health listed 0 cannabis-specific overdose deaths in 2019.
International Data Interpretation
While governments have diligently counted the ways one can expire, it appears that succumbing to a cannabis overdose remains an aspiration so statistically elusive it might as well be filed alongside unicorns and honest politicians.
US National Yearly
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1990 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1991 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1992 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1993 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1994 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1995 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1996 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1997 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1998 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 1999 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2000 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2001 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2002 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2003 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2004 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2005 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2006 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2007 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2008 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2009 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2010 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2011 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2012 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2013 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2014 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2015 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2016 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2017 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2018 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
- According to the CDC National Vital Statistics System via WONDER database, there were 0 deaths in the United States in 2019 where marijuana (ICD-10 code T40.7) was listed as the underlying cause of death.
US National Yearly Interpretation
For nearly thirty years, the official toll from a marijuana overdose has remained perfectly, and rather peacefully, at zero.
US State Level
- California Department of Public Health vital statistics reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022 among residents.
- New York State Department of Health data showed 0 deaths attributed solely to marijuana overdose in 2021.
- Texas Department of State Health Services recorded 0 marijuana-specific overdose fatalities in 2020.
- Florida Department of Health vital records indicated 0 deaths from marijuana overdose in 2019.
- Illinois Department of Public Health reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022 data.
- Pennsylvania Department of Health statistics listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths for 2021.
- Ohio Department of Health vital statistics showed 0 deaths due to marijuana overdose in 2020.
- Georgia Department of Public Health reported 0 marijuana-only overdose deaths in 2019.
- North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics recorded 0 marijuana overdose fatalities in 2022.
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment noted 0 direct marijuana overdose deaths despite legalization in 2020 data.
- Washington State Department of Health vital records showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2019.
- Oregon Health Authority reported 0 deaths from marijuana overdose alone in 2022.
- Nevada Office of Vital Records listed 0 marijuana-specific overdose deaths in 2021.
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health data showed 0 marijuana overdose fatalities in 2020.
- New Jersey Department of Health reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2019 pre-legalization data.
- Virginia Department of Health vital statistics indicated 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- Arizona Department of Health Services recorded 0 direct marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- Indiana State Department of Health showed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- Tennessee Department of Health data listed 0 marijuana-specific overdose fatalities in 2019.
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- Maryland Department of Health vital statistics indicated 0 deaths from marijuana overdose in 2021.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services recorded 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2020.
- Minnesota Department of Health showed 0 marijuana-only overdose fatalities in 2019.
- Utah Department of Health reported 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2022.
- Oklahoma State Department of Health data listed 0 marijuana overdose deaths in 2021.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment vital records indicated 0 in 2020.
US State Level Interpretation
While the data shows that the annual mortality rate from cannabis overdose remains heroically and consistently zero across America, suggesting one would have better luck fatally overdosing on sarcasm, the conversation about public health and responsible use must continue with clear-eyed seriousness.
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