Study: Cannabis Use ‘Significantly Associated’ With Higher Exercise Rates

Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah found in a recent study that cannabis use is “significantly associated with higher prevalence of physical activity,” and that the prevalence of physical activity was generally much greater in states and territories “where cannabis is legalized for recreational and medical purposes.”

Additionally, researchers noted that patients with chronic conditions who use medical cannabis were more likely to be physically active than those with chronic conditions who do not use medical cannabis.

The study, published last week in the Journal of Cannabis Research, used data from 2016 to 20222 to evaluate associations between current cannabis use and exercise habits for adults aged 18 and older.

“As public health policy strives to influence better population health from scientific knowledge about the health challenges and benefits of cannabis use, the results of this study indicate that legal medical cannabis promotes greater physical activity in those experiencing chronic medical conditions and legal recreational cannabis promotes (even more so) greater physical activity in those not experiencing chronic medical conditions.” — Excerpt from the study’s conclusion

“These conclusions contradict longstanding stereotypes alleging that cannabis consumers are lazy or apathetic,” cannabis advocacy group NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate that many of these false claims have historically guided public health messaging about cannabis and have also been used to stigmatize and discriminate against those who consume it responsibly.”

The study is not the first to note that cannabis use could be linked to healthier exercise habits: in 2021, two studies found cannabis use to be associated with greater levels of exercise, further debunking the false “lazy stoner” stereotype. And, in 2019, a University of Colorado Boulder study found more than 80% of respondents enjoyed combining cannabis consumption with their exercise regimens.

Additionally, in 2022, UK researchers noted in a study that cannabis consumption is not associated with increased apathy among adults and adolescents.