People who use cannabis are almost four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-users, according to new research.
The study, led by Dr. Ibrahim Kamel from the Boston Medical Center, tracked more than 4 million adults over five years. While some earlier studies suggested cannabis might offer metabolic benefits, this large-scale analysis found significantly higher diabetes rates among users—even after adjusting for other health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
“As cannabis becomes more widely available and socially accepted, and legalized in various jurisdictions, it is essential to understand its potential health risks,” said Dr. Kamel.
Researchers say the connection may be tied to insulin resistance and poor dietary habits often associated with marijuana use. Cannabis can possibly affect appetite, metabolism, and blood sugar regulation—factors that may contribute to type 2 diabetes over time.
“These new sights from reliable real-world evidence highlight the importance of integrating diabetes risk awareness into substance use disorder treatment and counseling, as well as the need for healthcare professionals to routinely talk to patients about cannabis use so that they can understand their overall diabetes risk and potential need for metabolic monitoring,” said Kamel.
