The study was conducted by San Diego State University and Cornell University.

The researchers looked at nationwide public health surveys from 1990 through 2012.

In states that allow medical marijuana, obesity rates were 2 percent to 6 percent lower than had been projected.

Researchers cited two possible reasons for the unexpected correlation between weight loss and medical marijuana availability:

  • Zero-calorie marijuana use has replaced alcohol consumption for many adults.
  • Some older adults become more active when using marijuana as an effective pain medication.

Read more here.

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Lois Reitzes, photographed at the WABE studio in 2023, has been with the station for 45 years. (Ben Gray / Ben@BenGray.com)

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State senators Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, and RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, fist bump at the Senate at the Capitol in Atlanta on Crossover Day, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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