Cannabis and Diabetes: What You Should Know
Health ConditionsDiabetes
Explore This Topic

Cannabis and Diabetes

Cannabis and Diabetes
Stepan Khadzhi/Getty Images; Everyday Health
By
Published on March 11, 2025
by

Many people with diabetes use cannabis or marijuana. Some do so recreationally, while others choose the substance for its potential health benefits, which may include relief from nausea or painful neuropathy and improved mood or sleep.

Diabetes authorities, however, caution against using the drug, as it has not been thoroughly studied in people with diabetes, could enhance short-term diabetes management risks, and is generally associated with negative long-term health effects.

Diabetes 101: What Are the Different Types of Diabetes?

Diabetes 101: What Are the Different Types of Diabetes?

Next up video playing in 10 seconds

Is It Safe for People With Diabetes to Use Cannabis?

There’s not a lot of research on how cannabis use may impact those who have diabetes, says Scott Pilla, MD, a member of the American Diabetes Association’s professional practice committee and an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “In general,” Dr. Pilla says, “it is not recommended … there really is very little research on long-term cannabis use, either as a therapeutic or recreationally.”

Health authorities generally recommend against the use of cannabis, for people both with

 and without diabetes,

 but there are clinicians who support its use. Desiree Granados, MD, an integrative medicine specialist in Fort Myers, Florida, who specializes in weight and blood sugar management, says she generally considers cannabis safe for those who have diabetes.
Nevertheless, there are some obvious risks for people with diabetes involved with using any psychoactive substance.

 Cannabis can have mind-altering effects that could overlap with or mask the signs of both low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). When you’re high on cannabis, it can be difficult to recognize when you need to take action or to make good self-care decisions.
Cautious cannabis users with diabetes recommend being extra careful while using the substance. Consider wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to remind you to check your blood glucose levels. And never use so much of the drug that it could impair your ability to take your medicine or recognize when you may be experiencing a blood-sugar related problem. It might be wise to use cannabis in the company of a sober friend or family member who understands your condition and can help you make good decisions in an emergency.

The “munchies” can also represent a significant hazard, especially for people who use insulin, says Pilla. “Anything that causes variations in dietary intake can cause hypoglycemia, especially for people using insulin who need to follow a good routine, so cannabis use would be a concern for me for anyone using insulin.”

“Some strains of cannabis can cause people to have an increased appetite, which could potentially lead to overeating sugary or carb-heavy snacks, leading to increase in blood sugar levels,” Dr. Granados says. “However, there are other strains that may not cause any change in appetite at all. Everyone responds to specific cannabis strains differently.”

People with diabetes should also be aware of any cravings that might influence unhealthy snacking or eating habits while they’re under the influence of marijuana. And cannabis edibles themselves may include substantial amounts of added sugar.

There are other short- and long-term risks unrelated to diabetes, including lung disease (when inhaled), impaired driving disasters, mental health problems, and memory loss.

 “From what we know, cannabis use is likely to have some adverse health effects including lung issues for cannabis smokers, and possibly cardiovascular and cognitive issues,” says Pilla.
Cannabis use may also impact other health conditions that people with diabetes frequently face. For example, the American Heart Association warns that cannabis use appears to be linked to cardiovascular risk factors.

Cannabis is an addictive substance, and excessive use can cause physical, mental, and social problems

 that could significantly interfere with your health and diabetes management.

How Cannabis Use Affects Blood Sugar

There is no compelling evidence that cannabis has a strong direct impact on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The limited research on the subject is conflicting,

 and sometimes suggests that cannabis use does not have any effect on blood sugar levels.

“There have been some studies attempting to understand diabetes and cannabis correlation, but currently, there is no consensus regarding the effects of cannabis on glucose,” says Granados. “Some research shows that cannabis may cause an A1C increase in type 1 diabetes, but also that cannabis may help improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.”

Potential Benefits of Cannabis Use for Diabetes

Though cannabis doesn’t seem to significantly affect blood sugar, it can offer relief for several other conditions common in people with diabetes, says Granados: “If you have nausea, chronic pain, or neuropathy from diabetes, marijuana may help control this and allow you to get better rest and decreased pain, which could potentially have benefits of better glucose control,” she says.

Some research supports these benefits. Cannabis may:

  • Offer short-term relief from neuropathic pain

  • Provide quick relief from nausea, which can be triggered by diabetes medications like metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic) and complications such as gastroparesis.

  • Help ease mental health conditions such as anxiety and stress, which can be common in people who manage chronic illnesses.

These benefits can also help people do a better job of managing their diabetes, says Granados. “Blood sugar levels vary with stress, sleep, nausea, and physical activity,” she says. “All of these effects could lead to better blood glucose control.”

Heavy or chronic cannabis use, however, can have the opposite effect, increasing anxiety

 and the risk of other mental health issues, including depression, psychosis, and paranoia.

 These mental health conditions make it far more difficult to manage blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes complications and other negative health outcomes.

CBD and Diabetes

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, but CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is another component of the cannabis plant that has medicinal properties. It doesn’t have the same intoxicating effect that THC does. Most authorities consider it a safe product, and CBD products are legal as long as they contain less than .3 percent THC.

Like THC cannabis products, CBD is found in oral tablets, pills, gummies, and tinctures, as well as topical balms and oils. The vast majority of health claims for CBD have not been substantiated by scientific research.

 Evidence is lacking that CBD affects glucose metabolism or blood sugar levels, and the American Diabetes Association states that “there is little evidence of any benefit” to CBD for people with diabetes.

 Nevertheless, the compound might have a positive effect on secondary issues common in diabetes, including pain, insomnia, and anxiety.

Is Cannabis Legal in the United States?

Medical and popular opinions of cannabis use have shifted significantly in the past few decades, and in some places the substance occupies something of a legal gray area. While the federal government still hasn’t legalized cannabis, 39 states currently allow the medical use of cannabis products, 24 allow recreational use, and its use among adults with diabetes is on the rise.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the cannabis plant for any medical use, but the organization has approved several drugs that contain individual cannabinoids (a group of substances found in the cannabis plant) for the treatment of epilepsy, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.

Cannabis and Ketoacidosis

If you use cannabis regularly and have type 1 diabetes, take note of a special warning: Regular cannabis users occasionally experience cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that causes recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, especially in the morning. People experiencing cannabis hyperemesis syndrome often find temporary relief from hot showers or baths.

 Since cannabis is thought to relieve nausea, some people with this syndrome may not suspect that cannabis is the cause.
For those with type 1 diabetes, this condition is especially dangerous. It can lead to a potentially deadly type of ketosis that roughly resembles diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Although patients do not develop the highly acidic blood characteristic of DKA, the symptoms are otherwise similar.

Pilla says that the risk of ketoacidosis makes it “especially important for people with type 1 diabetes to avoid cannabis use.”

If these symptoms sound familiar, discuss them with your endocrinologist. The best way to avoid or resolve this issue is to cease using cannabis products.

The Takeaway

  • It is unclear whether cannabis significantly affects the blood sugar levels of people with diabetes, but it could create a short-term danger if it clouds your judgment and inhibits your ability to make good self-care decisions. The risk is especially high for people who use insulin.
  • Cannabis may have some benefits for conditions that are common in people with diabetes, such as painful neuropathy, nausea, and anxiety, though it has not been approved to treat any of these symptoms in people with diabetes.
  • People with type 1 diabetes should be especially cautious about cannabis use. In rare cases, it can cause cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, which can spark a dangerous form of ketosis.

Resources We Trust

Additional reporting by Jasmine Seales.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Cannabis Use in Adults and Adolescents With Diabetes. Diabetes Canada.
  2. Cannabis Frequently Asked Questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 31, 2025.
  3. Marijuana (Cannabis, Weed). Cleveland Clinic. November 5, 2023.
  4. Cannabis and Diabetes: What You Should Know. Beyond Type 1.
  5. Cannabis Health Effects. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2024.
  6. Marijuana Use Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke. American Heart Association. February 28, 2024.
  7. Cannabis Use Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. October 4, 2024.
  8. Past-Month Cannabis Use Among Adults With Diabetes in the U.S. 2021-2022. Diabetes Care. July 22, 2024.
  9. Specialists Highlight the Highs and Lows of Cannabis Use Among Patients With Diabetes. American Diabetes Association. July 25, 2024.
  10. Bennici A et al. Safety of Medical Cannabis in Neuropathic Chronic Pain Management. Molecules. October 16, 2021.
  11. Cannabis Offers Immediate Relief From Symptoms of Nausea, but Produce Use Matters. University of New Mexico. May 30, 2021.
  12. Anxiety and Cannabis: A Review of Recent Research. Drexel University Medical Cannabis Research Center. April 10, 2023.
  13. Cannabis and Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 15, 2024.
  14. Diabetes and Mental Health. Mental Health America.
  15. FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 16, 2024.
  16. CBD Products Are Everywhere. But Do They Work? Harvard Health Publishing. August 8, 2024.
  17. CBD & Diabetes. American Diabetes Association.
  18. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Cleveland Clinic. January 16, 2024.
  19. Akturk HK et al. Differentiating Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperglycemic Ketosis Due to Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. December 8, 2021.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Elise-M-Brett-bio

Elise M. Brett, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Elise M Brett, MD, is a board-certified adult endocrinologist. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and her MD degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She completed her residency training in internal medicine and fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at The Mount Sinai Hospital. She has been in private practice in Manhattan since 1999.

Dr. Brett practices general endocrinology and diabetes and has additional certification in neck ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, which she performs regularly in the office. She is voluntary faculty and associate clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is a former member of the board of directors of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. She has lectured nationally and published book chapters and peer reviewed articles on various topics, including thyroid cancer, neck ultrasound, parathyroid disease, obesity, diabetes, and nutrition support.
See full bio

Maria Muccioli, PhD

Author

Maria Muccioli, PhD, is the director of research at Thrivable, a healthcare market research firm specializing in patient experiences. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during her undergraduate studies in biochemistry, she was inspired to pursue a career in immunology.

She earned her PhD in molecular and cellular biology from Ohio University and completed postdoctoral research at The Ohio State University, as well as a fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Throughout her postdoctoral tenure, Maria contributed to significant research across various health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

Her work has been recognized by the Greenbook Future List, which honored her as a 2024 recipient for her contributions to the insights industry. Maria is passionate about delivering up-to-date, evidence-based information to the diabetes community and has authored over 100 articles on living with diabetes. She firmly believes in empowering individuals with diabetes to manage their condition effectively and enjoys connecting with the community through her writing and on social media.

Maria currently resides in Florida with her husband, two children, and a variety of pets.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network