A small study out of France claims to have revealed a possible connection between smoking marijuana and cardiovascular problems. Their controversial findings indicate that smoking weed can lead to an increased risk of heart-related complications, especially in people who were previously at risk for heart disease.

The study focused on a database originating from the French Addictovigilance Network, which collected reports of marijuana abuse collected from 2006-2010. During these five years, 1,979 instances of marijuana abuse were reported and of these, 35 were known to have some type of cardiovascular complications. 20 cases were reported heart attacks, two were undisclosed heart-related issues, 10 were cases of arterial disease in the limbs, and three were arterial diseases of the brain. 46 percent of these cases had pre-existing risk factors, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, or familial history of cardiovascular disease.

Critics of the study argue that it is presumptuous in asserting a definitive connection between marijuana consumption and heart disease. They point out that, being at around only four percent, the rate of cardiovascular disease among pot smokers is notably low. Mitch Earleywine of the State University of New York in Albany said, “If those are the chances of having cardiac complications as a French cannabis user, my first thought is that using cannabis protects people from cardiac problems.”

Earleywine points out that data in this study is incomplete because there is no control comparison of cardiovascular disease in a group that does not consume marijuana. He argues that even the data derived from the database is incomplete because it only represents a fraction of marijuana consumption in the country. Earleywine also notes that no connection between marijuana use and heart disease has actually been established. Instead, the study merely reveals the rate of cardiovascular issues in a small group of people reported to the government for a very specific reason.

But researchers involved in the study insist that their findings warrant further research. They say that, given the rise in recreational and medicinal use of marijuana, potential complications of this nature could be life-threatening, especially in individuals predisposed to cardiovascular diseases. As legalization of marijuana gains traction, researchers emphasize that an increased understanding of its effects on health is just as important as with any other substance that is routinely consumed.