this data only shows a correlation and cannot prove that marijuana caused these effects

Just as I suspected, haha.

From the actual study:

Results Overall, 24 articles were included from 3012 initial records, including 17 cross-sectional studies, 6 cohort studies and 1 case-control study. Exposure corresponded to the use of cannabis in all studies, with one focused on medical cannabis.

At the very least, these numbers include medical cannabis patients which in theory would be prescribed to people with what I would imagine is an above average MACE (major adverse cardiovascular event) risk. Anxiety, eating disorders, depression, whathaveyou.

And to be fair, the study itself only really says that their findings demonstrate enough of a correlation to warrant further research and they make no claim that the link is causation rather than correlation:

Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis uses an original approach centred on real-world data. The findings reveal positive associations between cannabis use and MACE. These findings should encourage investigating cannabis use in all patients presenting with serious cardiovascular disorders.

Who is most at risk? Generally speaking, older adults and people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or pre-existing heart issues are at the greatest risk, experts said. That’s because their cardiovascular systems tend to be more fragile, and marijuana further stresses the heart.

At the most, it seems more honest to suggest that smoking marijuana with preexisting cardiovascular issues may be uniquely harmful. But even within that narrowly defined community I reckon it would be a tall task to isolate the effects of marijuana as a smoking gun (heh) with so many other potentially contributing factors.

Sounds like some good Ole reefer madness to me.