truth: the Anti-drugwar Anti-drugwar Arsenal Accept the $1 Challenge

Overview of Marijuana Induced Deaths


Source: Centers for Disease Control, CDC Wonder System

Categorizations and Mortality Figures for Cannabis Induced Death

Marijuana as Underlying Cause of Death (1979 - 2003)
ICD code Code Definition Number of Deaths % of Total
304.3 Drug Dependence 1 2.7
305.2 Nondependent Abuse 22 59.5
F12.0 Acute Intoxication 1 2.7
F12.1 Harmful Use 2 5.4
F12.2 Dependence Syndrome 8 21.6
F12.9 Unspecified 3 8.1
Total Deaths: 37

Note: The coding system changed in 1999 from ICD-9 to ICD-10. All F12 codings are from ICD-10 and collectively referred to as "Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids" with specific sub-types as indicated.
Cannabis Induced Deaths - Details (1979 - 2003)
Year ICD Code Gender Race Age Group State
1980 305.2 Male White 65 - 74 West Virginia
1981 305.2 Female White 20 - 24 New York
1981 305.2 Male Black 25 - 34 California
1981 305.2 Male Black 55 - 64 Georgia
1988 305.2 Male White 35 - 44 New Mexico
1989 305.2 Male Black 25 - 34 Louisiana
1989 305.2 Male Black 35 - 44 S. Carolina
1990 305.2 Male White 35 - 44 Washington
1992 305.2 Female Black 25 - 34 Kansas
1992 305.2 Male White 35 - 44 Colorado
1993 304.3 Male White 35 - 44 S. Carolina
1994 305.2 Male White 15 - 19 Kentucky
1994 305.2 Male White 35 - 44 Ohio
1996 305.2 Male White 20 - 24 Oregon
1996 305.2 Female White 35 - 44 New Jersey
1996 305.2 Female White 35 - 44 Oregon
1997 305.2 Male Black 45 - 54 Texas
1998 305.2 Female White 15 - 19 California
1998 305.2 Female White 25 - 34 New Jersey
1998 305.2 Male Black 25 - 34 Illinois
1998 305.2 Male White 25 - 34 Ohio
1998 305.2 Male Black 45 - 54 New Jersey
1998 305.2 Female White 55 - 64 Mississippi
1999 F12.1 Male White 45 - 54 California
1999 F12.2 Male White 35 - 44 Oregon
1999 F12.2 Male Black 15 - 19 New Jersey
1999 F12.9 Male White 35 - 44 N. Carolina
1999 F12.9 Male Black 35 - 44 Tennessee
2000 F12.0 Female Black 25 - 34 Michigan
2000 F12.2 Male Black 20 - 24 Texas
2000 F12.2 Male White 35 - 44 Pennsylvania
2001 F12.2 Male Black 25 - 34 Colorado
2001 F12.2 Male White 25 - 34 Ohio
2001 F12.9 Male Black 45 - 54 Mississippi
2002 F12.1 Male Black 45 - 54 Pennsylvannia
2003 F12.2 Male White 30 - 34 Illinois
2003 F12.2 Female White 40 - 44 Texas

Nearly 100 million Americans admit to having used marijuana at least once in their lives, while some 25 million admit to having done so in the past year. With a death rate of 35 out of 100 million, it doesn't seem very dangerous.

It appears that these people may not actually be dying from cannabis use after all. Here's an in-depth look at the 2001 deaths, and the story of my investigation.

truth: the Anti-drugwar Anti-drugwar Arsenal Accept the $1 Challenge