Evidence lacking for most medicinal cannabis benefits

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-11-27 03:00

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There is not enough evidence that medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids are good treatments for most medical conditions, concludes a review of 124 previous studies. The authors find there's some evidence medicinal cannabis might help with nausea and vomiting – for example in cancer patients – and with weight gain for patients with HIV/AIDS. However, looking at some of the many conditions for which medical cannabis is used, they say there's a shortage of research to show it's helpful. Given the health risks of regular cannabis use, they recommend that doctors take a nonjudgmental approach and discuss the benefits and risks with each patient.

Media release

From: JAMA

Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

About The Study: Evidence is insufficient for the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most medical indications. Clear guidance from clinicians is essential to support safe, evidence-based decision-making. Clinicians should weigh benefits against risks when engaging patients in informed discussions about cannabis or cannabinoid use.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: David Geffen School of Medicine, USA

Funder: This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The GLA Veterans Affairs Medical Center had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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