Study: Alcoholics who use marijuana have lower liver disease risk

Alcoholics who smoke marijuana on a daily basis are healthier, according to a new report. A peer-reviewed paper set to be published in the journal Liver International suggests that chronic marijuana use could prevent liver damage in alcoholics.

The study looked at inpatient discharge data for 320,000 adult patients with a history of alcohol abuse. Researchers found that 10 percent of alcoholics who also smoke pot exhibit a lower rate of liver disease of any kind.

Drinkers who are habitual marijuana users are said to exhibit an even lower incidence of liver disease than occasional smokers.

Researchers said that marijuana's anti-inflammatory properties could reduce inflammation of the liver and reduce long-term damage.