Cannabis use is associated with decreased incidence of liver cirrhosis, but no change in mortality nor length of stay (LOS) and patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), a recent study found. Researchers analyzed hospital discharge records of adults aged ≥18 years with a positive HCV diagnosis. Of the 188,333 records, cannabis users were matched 1:1 to nonusers. The adjusted prevalence rate ratio (aPRR) for having liver cirrhosis, carcinoma, mortality, discharge disposition, and the adjusted mean ratio (aMR) of total hospital cost and LOS were measured. Among the findings:

• Cannabis users (CUs) had decreased prevalence of liver cirrhosis, unfavorable discharge disposition, and lower total health care costs compared to noncannabis (NCUs) users.
• However, there was no difference among CUs and NCUs on the incidence of liver carcinoma, in-hospital mortality, and LOS.
• Among CUs, dependent cannabis use was associated with lower prevalence of liver cirrhosis compared to nondependent use.