Research Links Cannabis Legalization to Increased Physical Activity

If you love stoner humor, you probably know about the lazy stoner stereotype. Someone gets high, and all they want to do is eat and lay around daydreaming. People who smoke marijuana have no energy, no ambition, and indeed no drive to get up and get active. Yet maybe Hollywood and everyone else have gotten it wrong?

New research shows that marijuana legalization across the country hasn’t made people lazier and more sedentary. It shows the opposite. States with legalized marijuana are reporting higher levels of physical activity among adults 18 and older. Either people have been thinking about marijuana all wrong for decades, or there is something else contributing to the boom in physical activity found in states with legal marijuana programs.

Cannabis Legalization and Physical Activity

It is true. Cannabis consumption can increase appetite and give you the munchies. It is also true that specific cannabis strains can make you feel calm, less anxious, and more inclined to relax or sleep than to get outside and run a marathon. Indica and Indica-hybrid plants often have higher levels of CBD. This chemical compound seems to promote relaxation. It may be why so many people think that those who consume marijuana are lazy or unmotivated.

However, new research is changing how people think about marijuana by showing that states with legal cannabis programs are not seeing a decrease in physical activity among adults; they are seeing an increase. Data in the Journal of Cannabis Research show that residents in states with legal marijuana programs are more likely to engage in physical activities compared to those who live in areas where cannabis remains prohibited.

Study authors say the data shows that cannabis use “is significantly associated with higher prevalence of physical activity. The prevalence of physical activity is considerably greater in US states and territories where cannabis is legalized for recreational and medical purposes (vs. not legal).” They conclude that their research shows that legal cannabis programs help promote more physical activity. More adults are turning to cannabis to help them cope with chronic pain and medical conditions that may have prevented them from being more active in the first place.

Previous studies have suggested a similar link. One study out of the University of Colorado at Boulder suggests that seniors who use cannabis are more likely to engage in regular exercise and have a lower body mass index compared to seniors who do not use cannabis. Other studies also show that individuals with a history of cannabis use are also less likely to be obese or suffer from type 2 diabetes, both conditions closely linked to a sedentary lifestyle.

Other Factors Related to Cannabis and Physical Activity

Some researchers suggest that the increase in physical activity among cannabis enthusiasts results from the therapeutic benefits of the plant. Cannabis may be an effective pain reliever and help patients cope with painful and debilitating conditions that may have otherwise prevented them from engaging in regular physical activity.

An increasing number of older adults are looking to cannabis to help them cope with age-related medical conditions that cause pain, inflammation, and other side effects that prevent them from enjoying life to its fullest. In addition to a pain management tool, certain marijuana strains also offer an energy boost and mental clarity, giving some people the motivation to get up and get active.

Other research indicates runners and other athletes may reduce anxiety and perceived exertion, boosting energy and motivation. Indeed, one study out of the University of Boulder suggests that cannabis may make exercise more fun. More people want to engage and continue participating when an activity is pleasurable. Although not explicitly performance-enhancing, cannabis can enhance how the mind perceives exertion and exercise, facilitating a more enjoyable experience from physical activity.

Does Culture Play a Part?

While the body of research is impressive, there may also be additional factors to consider. Many of the states with legalized marijuana programs are in areas of the country that have cultures that promote physical activity and wellness. Colorado was one of the first states in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana. Colorado is also consistently ranked as one of the most physically active states in the United States. Only 16.7 percent of residents report not engaging in physical activity outside of work. Colorado school districts also have comprehensive physical education policies. Plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities exist, from hiking in the fall to sporting events in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Washington, Oregon, and California are also high on the physical activity list. These are states with progressive cannabis legalization policies. The mix of cannabis legalization with an already highly active population may help explain why some states with legalized cannabis policies are showing an increase in physical activity among adults.

Some of the most inactive states in the country do not have legal marijuana policies or have a mixed legalization status, allowing some limited medical marijuana use but not recreational use. Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi are among the most “sluggish” states for physical activity.

States already concerned with public health and wellness may have populations more inclined to engage in exercise and physical activity. Similarly, they also seem to have populations more inclined to support progressive marijuana legalization policies. The combination of these political and medical factors may be what’s driving more marijuana enthusiasts to the gym regularly. The lazy stoner myth is busted. Instead, the key to an active and healthy lifestyle may be cannabis.

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