Is Medical Marijuana Really Helping?

In the United States, a large number of people use cannabis for medical reasons, such as relieving pain, anxiety, and sleep issues. However, a recent review of 15 years of research suggests that the evidence supporting its benefits is often weak or unclear. Additionally, nearly 30% of medical cannabis users may have a cannabis use disorder. This review comes at a time when cannabis products are becoming more widely accepted and used. The review looked at over 2, 500 clinical trials, guidelines, and surveys, mostly from the United States and Canada. It found a big difference between what people believe cannabis can do for their health and what scientific research actually shows. The review also looked at the difference between medical cannabis, which is sold in dispensaries, and pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. These are medicines approved by the FDA that contain either low-grade THC or CBD. These medicines have been shown to help with chemotherapy-related nausea, stimulate appetite in patients with serious illnesses, and help with some types of seizures in children. The review also found that doctors do not have a good understanding of medical cannabis. In a 2021 review, only 33% of clinicians globally felt confident in their knowledge about medical cannabis, and 86% said they needed more education. Pain is a common reason people use medical cannabis, but the review found no evidence that cannabis can help with acute pain. It also cited the 2024 guidelines for the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which said there was not enough evidence to recommend cannabis for cancer pain.