There is significant debate about whether cannabis can affect diabetes. Consider the various conclusions made by researchers after conducting different studies. Researchers concluded that marijuana use has some benefits for individuals who have diabetes. Yet, there are also opposing points of concern raised by other researchers.

Marijuana use may help with weight loss when a person who has diabetes needs to lose weight. Although weight loss is a major factor in controlling diabetes, there are other risks that may mitigate the weight loss benefit.

Researchers indicate that using marijuana increases the risk of higher hemoglobin A1C test results. There was an association between marijuana use and blood sugar highs and lows.

Many studies do not take important facts such as other medications that the person uses, co-morbidities, and underlying medical conditions outside of diabetes into account. One example is that while marijuana use is associated with short-term relief in managing nerve pain from diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy, marijuana use may increase the risk of heart disease or kidney disease in those who have diabetes.

The bottom line is that while cannabis use may have some benefits among people who have diabetes, there are potential risks that many people may not be willing to take until more is known about the long-term benefits vs the risks.