Cannabis Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk

OG Article By Sadie Harley

September 16 2025

Study Overview

Cannabis use increases type 2 diabetes risk nearly fourfold, per a study of over 4 million adults. Presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15–19 Sept).

Global Context

In 2021, 219 million adults (4.3% globally) used cannabis. Its long-term metabolic effects are unclear. Some studies suggest anti-inflammatory benefits; others link it to insulin resistance.

Research Method

Dr. Ibrahim Kamel’s team at Boston Medical Center analyzed records from 54 healthcare organizations (2010–2018). They studied 96,795 outpatients (aged 18–50, 52.5% female) with cannabis-related diagnoses, matched with 4,160,998 healthy individuals. Follow-up lasted five years.

Key Findings

After adjusting for factors like cholesterol, hypertension, and substance use, diabetes rates were higher in cannabis users (2.2%) than non-users (0.6%). Cannabis users faced nearly four times the diabetes risk.

Implications

The link may involve insulin resistance or poor diet. More research is needed on cannabis forms (e.g., inhaled vs. edibles). Healthcare providers should discuss cannabis use and monitor diabetes risk.

Limitations

This retrospective study cannot prove causation. Inconsistent reporting and lack of detailed cannabis use data may introduce bias.