A new large-scale analysis presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna highlights a troubling link between cannabis use and an increased risk of developing diabetes. Drawing on real-world data from more than four million adults, the researchers found that people with cannabis-related diagnoses were almost four times more likely to develop diabetes than non-users.
Cannabis use is rising globally, with an estimated 219 million adults using the drug in 2021, yet its long-term metabolic effects remain uncertain. Some research has suggested anti-inflammatory or weight-management benefits, but other studies have raised concerns about glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and ultimately the risk of diabetes.
To clarify this association, Dr. Ibrahim Kamel and colleagues at Boston Medical Center analyzed electronic health records from 54 health-care organizations across the USA and Europe. They identified 96,795 adults aged 18–50 with cannabis-related diagnoses between 2010 and 2018 and matched them with more than 4.1 million healthy individuals. After controlling for cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and other lifestyle risk factors, they found new cases of diabetes were 2.2% in the cannabis group compared to 0.6% in the control group nearly quadruple the risk of developing diabetes.
The researchers note that more investigation is needed to explain why cannabis users may face a higher risk of diabetes. Possible factors include insulin resistance, poor dietary habits, or other unmeasured behaviors. They also stress that this retrospective study cannot prove cannabis use causes diabetes, but the strong association suggests the need for greater metabolic monitoring and clearer public-health messaging.
Another question is whether the risk of diabetes is limited to inhaled products or extends to edibles and other forms of cannabis. Because the study relied on medical records and self-reporting, some cannabis exposure may have been misclassified, which could bias the findings. Still, the large sample size and careful matching give weight to the conclusion that cannabis users face a significantly higher likelihood of developing diabetes.
As cannabis becomes more widely legal and socially accepted, health professionals recommend that users be screened regularly for metabolic issues, especially diabetes, and that policymakers consider these risks when shaping public health guidance.
