A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research examined the effects of cannabis use on body mass index (BMI) and found that adults with a history of cannabis consumption are less likely to be obese than nonusers. Cannabis users also are more likely to have a lower BMI than nonusers.
The study used a probability sample of 735,921 U.S. adults 18 and older. This data came from the 2016 through 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey and provided a representative sample regarding chronic health concerns and health-related risk behaviors. The study also focused on the frequency of cannabis use and monitored variables such as current (at least once in the last 30 days) and daily (at least 20 of the previous 30 days) use.
The study indicated that current cannabis users are 31% less likely to be obese than nonusers. Daily users are 32 % less likely to be obese than nonusers. The study concluded that there is a dose-response relationship between BMI and cannabis use. In other words, the lower the BMI classification, the higher the cannabis use.
Prevalence of cannabis use in adults doubled during the study period (7.48% to 14.91%). The increase directly corresponds with a shift toward the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis. On average, the prevalence of use is 9% higher when medical cannabis is legal and 81% higher when recreational cannabis is legal (vs. not legal).
For obese individuals, the prevalence of current cannabis use is 35% lower than for non-obese individuals on average. The study noted the lower prevalence of cannabis use in obese participants across levels of cannabis legalization status, certain demographic variables, employment status, tobacco smoking history, and chronic physical and mental health conditions.
The correlation between cannabis use and lower BMI may lead to a decrease in obesity rates as cannabis legalization increases. Adult cannabis consumers should remain mindful that chronic use can increase the likelihood of other known health risks associated with cannabis consumption.
Sources: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, NORML