Ask The Expert
Other Health Issues

First of all, I’m sure you know that marijuana is an illegal drug. Having said that, I will provide you with the information you requested, and I would strongly advise you to discuss this with your diabetes team.  Anything you discuss with your healthcare team is kept confidential.

Marijuana is reported to have the following effects:

• Heavy use may impair glucose clearance from your blood, causing high blood glucose
• Altered time perception could affect your diabetes control by causing you to forget to eat or take your diabetes medication
• It may cause the “munchies” which can result in overeating with increased caloric intake, resulting in both high blood glucose and perhaps weight gain
• While the effect is highly related to dosage, the strength of the main active chemical in marijuana (called THC) can vary considerably.
• Memory, concentration, coordination, problem solving, and learning ability can all be impaired, resulting potentially in causing problems with your diabetes control along with other serious consequences, especially when mixed with alcohol
• Can cause psychological disturbances including anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, and diminished inhibitions
• Raises blood pressure and heart rate while reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, increasing the potential for a heart attack
• Heavy use can cause the same effects as smoking tobacco. It has a greater potential to cause lung cancer because it has 50-70% more carcinogenic substances than does tobacco smoke
• In men, it can delay onset of puberty and reduce sperm production
• In women, it can affect monthly hormone cycles and inhibit ovulation. Pregnant women who use marijuana run the risk of having smaller babies who are more likely to develop other health problems
• Long-term use can lead to addiction in some people
• There are no known beneficial effects on diabetes.

Conclusion:

Marijuana can affect personality, behavior, learning, and memory, as well as it can damage organs in your body with long-term consequences. There are no known beneficial effects on diabetes. It is important that you learn all you can about this and discuss it with your diabetes team.  For further information, please review the resources listed below.