Patients and doctors are increasingly interested in the potential of medicinal cannabis to treat various conditions. It is crucial to weigh both reported benefits and associated risks as the scientific body of evidence grows. In the evolving field of medical cannabis research, it is important to have a balanced view based on scientific investigation and clinical experience.
It is a changing landscape of Medicinal Cannabis Research
Existing evidence and established uses
The Food and Drug Administration in the United States currently approves a small number of synthetic or cannabis-derived cannabinoid medicines for certain conditions. As reported by, these include medications for chemotherapy-induced vomiting, a wasting disorder related to AIDS and certain kinds of seizures. GN: medicinal cannabis. Cannabis may also be useful in relieving chronic pain, according to preliminary research.
Ali John Zarrabi is an internist, palliative physician, and researcher with the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. He noted that, while pain intensity might not be affected significantly, many patients report an improved mood, better quality of sleep, and a higher level or life satisfaction. Medical societies, such as the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), do not recommend cannabis for primary pain treatment because of limited research and side effects, like nausea, dizziness or drowsiness.
Some older patients are using medicinal cannabis to manage the symptoms of aging. This excerpt was published in MedPage Today Highlights that older adults can experience relief from anxiety and insomnia. This could reduce their dependence on conventional medications. In a 2018 Israeli study, over 2,700 patients 65 years and older who used medical cannabis reported 93.7% improvement after six months. There was also a significant reduction of reported pain. Dizziness and drymouth were common adverse reactions in the study. Participants reduced or discontinued opioid analgesics 18.1%.
Need for Further Research
The scientific evidence for medicinal cannabis remains weak, despite anecdotal accounts and preliminary results. Almut Gertrud winterstein, the director of the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research, at the University of Florida indicates that conditions like post-traumatic disorder (PTSD), Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) have little to no evidence. GN: medicinal cannabis.
The American Psychiatric Association also opposes medical cannabis for psychiatric illnesses, citing an insufficient amount of evidence and a link between cannabis and psychiatric disorders. This is particularly true in young people. Cannabis’s ability to promote sleep has also been limited. Most sleep medicine societies do not recommend its use.
There are many safety concerns and hazards to consider.
Potency, dependence, and adverse effects
Cannabis products today contain much more THC (the psychoactive component) than those of decades past. According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, THC levels in illicit cannabis products have quadrupled since 1995. GN: medicinal cannabis. Cannabis use disorders, characterized by the inability to quit using cannabis even when harm is experienced, are more likely to develop with higher potency products.
Smita Smita, clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine said that the belief in cannabis’ non-addictive nature may be due to experiences from lower potency products. Men, teenagers who start using cannabis, people with substance abuse histories, and individuals who self-medicate with cannabis are at higher risk of developing cannabis use disorders. Researchers have linked the use of cannabis to cardiovascular diseases, strokes, heart attacks and more, especially with regular use and high THC levels. The risk of schizophrenia, and other psychotic conditions is higher in chronic users. The long-term use of cannabis is also linked with respiratory problems and increased wheezing, bronchitis, and other symptoms. Heavy users can also suffer from the cannabinoid-induced hyperemesis, a syndrome that causes nausea and vomiting, as well as abdominal pain.
Dosing and vulnerable populations
The variability of product formulations, and the inconsistent dosage are a challenge to clinicians who consider medicinal cannabis. Samer Narouze from University Hospitals Cleveland’s pain division highlighted the difficulty of ensuring patients are receiving a dose that is consistent. In older studies, lower THC-based products were used to demonstrate benefits in pain. This raises concerns about the potential adverse effects of today’s high potency cannabis, especially for elderly patients.
Some groups may be more susceptible to harms. ACOG advises women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to stay away from cannabis because of its links to poor outcomes in pregnancy, such as low birthweight and neurocognitive and behavior problems. Melissa Russo is an ACOG author and maternal-fetal physician. She stressed that cannabinoids could cross the placenta to enter the system of the child. As a result of their ongoing brain development and the fact that they are still developing, adolescents also have heightened vulnerability to cannabis. According to Dr. Kevin Gray of the Medical University of South Carolina, regular cannabis consumption can impair cognition, increase the risk of dependency and psychosis and even affect the baby’s system. Cannabis can interfere with prescribed medications such as antidepressants and blood thinners.
Disclaimer: This article contains only general information and is not intended to be a medical recommendation. Hemp Gazette makes no medical diagnoses or recommendations. Consult a healthcare professional before you make any decision regarding your health. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia (TGA) has not evaluated any statements regarding the therapeutic use of cannabis or hemp-derived products. TGA regulations allow Australians to access medical cannabis through prescription.