Marijuana users are stereotypically portrayed as lazy, leading a generally sedentary lifestyle. They are also prone to get the “munchies,” which science proved to actually be a thing a few months ago. Those two factors are leading causes of metabolic syndrome, so one would think that marijuana users would be at greater risk of metabolic syndrome. A new study shows that’s not the case, however.

CHICAGO — Warning: Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding poses potential harms.

That message would be written on medical and recreational marijuana products and posted wherever they’re sold if the nation’s most influential doctors group has its way.

The American Medical Association agreed Monday to push for regulations requiring such warnings be written on medical and recreational pot products and posted wherever they’re sold.

The decision was made based on studies suggesting marijuana use may be linked with low birth weight, premature birth and behavior problems in young children.

Critics say evidence of harm is weak, but while advocates agree that more research is needed, they say erring on the side of caution makes sense.

Illinois has given 3,300 people licenses to use medical marijuana, but it hasn't set a threshold at which it considers them safe to drive.

That means it is up to a police officer to decide if someone with a medical marijuana license seems impaired and should be charged with driving under the influence, says Pete Baroni, a professor of law at Loyola University of Chicago and former DuPage County prosecutor.

Medical marijuana users would commonly have signs of the drug in their blood or urine, since it can show up for weeks after use.

Dr Mirela Delibegovic is carrying out research to see if certain cannabinoids can be used to tackle diabetic nephropathy

New substances derived from cannabis are being used to tackle kidney failure caused by diabetes, as part of a new research project led by the University of Aberdeen.

Approximately 40% of people with diabetes develop kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy) as a result.

The project, funded by Diabetes UK, will explore whether these synthetic cannabinoid compounds can be used to make the kidneys respond better to insulin.

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois' new medical marijuana shops sold nearly $211,000 worth of cannabis in the first week, with less than a quarter of eligible patients buying so far.

The state's first regulated marijuana dispensaries opened Monday.

Program director Joseph Wright said Friday the dispensaries served 806 customers. They purchased about 460 ounces of marijuana, or about a half an ounce per person, on average.

Green Thumb Industries CEO Ben Kovler says the numbers are "a very strong start."

The explosion of coverage on opioid abuse has been chilling for many chronic pain patients who use opioids responsibly to manage their pain. In many cases, with heightened scrutiny over its merits of use, reduced access becomes an issue.

Many chronic pain sufferers have turned to medical marijuana, which has far fewer side effects than opioids. The problem there is also access. Medical marijuana is only available in 23 states and the District of Columbia and, of course, there are complications because the federal government still deems marijuana illegal so people in the federal health care system (like the VA and Medicare for instance) often can’t get medical marijuana prescribed.

Dr. Gary Witman

New substances derived from cannabis are being used to tackle kidney failure linked to diabetes as part of a new research project.

Around 40% of people who have diabetes go on to develop kidney failure, also known as diabetic nephropathy.

The project, being led by the University of Aberdeen, is looking at whether synthetic cannabinoid compounds can help the kidneys respond better to insulin, the hormone everyone with type 1 diabetes needs to take to control their blood glucose levels.

Loading article content

More than three million people in the UK currently have diabetes and by 2025 the number is expected to rise to five million. By 2040 there will be 640 million across the world living with the condition, scientists estimate.

Dr. Gary Witman

Dr. Gary Witman is a New England physician who believes that medical marijuana has a place—an important place in the practice of medicine.  Dr. Witman, who is a quadriplegic from an injury that occurred while swimming in the ocean, works with Fall River Canna Care Docs in Massachusetts, one of many practices that specialize in the use of medical marijuana in several states in the Northeast.

Are sexual anxieties harshing your mellow? Is your sex life suffering because you worry too much? Marijuana might help. With research findings suggesting that the cannabinoid cannabidiol can help reduce stress-related anxiety, social anxiety and even phobias, it seems likely that CBD could also help deal with sexual anxiety.

A school in New Jersey has become the first in the nation to allow students with disabilities and various medical conditions to legally consume marijuana to alleviate symptoms.

Larc School, which educates students "with a wide range of disabilities," approved guidelines for medical marijuana use on Wednesday night, just days after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) signed a bill that protects schools and instructors from punishment if sick or disabled students take medical marijuana during school hours.