Cannabis legalization linked to lower obesity rates in the U.S.

While cannabis is better known for making people hungry, a recent study found that the legalization of cannabis is associated with a decrease in obesity rates.

The study, published this month by the Journal of Health Economics, analyzed data on obesity in Washington State, one of the the first states to have legalized cannabis, from 2002 to 2018.

Researchers at North Dakota State University, from the Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise and Metropolitan State University Researchers in Denver stated that, despite the «munchies» effect of cannabis and general concerns about obesity, the relationship between legalization and excessive weight gain «remains an open question and has not been sufficiently studied.».

To help address this gap, the study set out to examine what happened in Washington State in the years following the opening of cannabis stores, compared to the rest of the country and after controlling for other factors.

Experience has shown that «the opening of cannabis dispensaries for adults has led to decreases in obesity rates.» « More specifically, the state’s obesity rate »is on average 5.4 % lower” than in other states, compared to an average difference of -0.01 % in the years prior to legalization.

«Our main finding was that the legalization of cannabis, which led to the opening of cannabis dispensaries, », the authors wrote, «has led to a decline in the obesity rate in Washington State." "This is somewhat surprising given previous research showing that cannabis use is often associated with a increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods »and lethargy."

«At a time when more and more states are moving toward decriminalization, the expansion of medical use, and the legalization of recreational cannabis use, our findings shed important light on contemporary drug policy,» the study states. «Providing a more robust understanding of the relationship between recreational cannabis use and obesity rates also offers guidance for public health policy aimed at addressing the determinants and behaviors that may contribute to obesity.»

«Our findings also offer insights for health economics and health policy more broadly, as obesity rates continue to pose health and financial challenges across the United States,» she adds.

One of the study’s main limitations is that it does not determine exactly why legalization appears to be linked to lower obesity rates; future research should therefore seek to identify these potential mechanisms.

«The cumulative effect on obesity depends on the impact of cannabis use on a range of factors, including physical health, mental health, dietary changes, physical activity, and consumption patterns,» the study’s authors write. «Ultimately, how cannabis legalization affects obesity is an empirical question that requires further investigation.»

The study debunks one of the stereotypes associated with cannabis users. A recent study has also called into question the stereotype of lazy cannabis users and unmotivated, as the researchers found no difference in apathy or reward-based behavior between people who use cannabis at least once a week and non-users.