Pediatric Palliative Care Cannabis Clinic Saw Reduced Hospital Days and Medication Use
Children in a pediatric palliative care cannabis clinic showed fewer inpatient days, with 35% reducing or discontinuing other medications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 46 pediatric palliative care patients (mean age 11.7), there was a significant decrease in inpatient days and cost. 35% reduced or discontinued other medications. Most common recommendation: 1:1 CBD:THC tincture. No significant adverse events.
Key Numbers
46 patients (mean age 11.7). 50% neurological, 37% oncological, 13% chronic pain. 35% reduced other medications. Significant decrease in inpatient days.
How They Did This
Retrospective chart review of 46 consecutive patients at a midwestern US pediatric hospital (2019-2022).
Why This Research Matters
Evidence for medical cannabis in pediatric palliative care is extremely limited. This real-world data suggests benefits with minimal adverse effects.
The Bigger Picture
If medical cannabis can reduce polypharmacy and hospital days in pediatric palliative care, it could shift the standard of care.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample. No control group. Single center. Cannot attribute improvements solely to cannabis.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which pediatric conditions benefit most?
- ?Would a controlled trial confirm reduced hospital days?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 35% of pediatric patients reduced or discontinued other medications
- Evidence Grade:
- Small retrospective chart review without control group.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study
- Original Title:
- Characterizing the Population of a Medical Cannabis Clinic in a Pediatric Hospital.
- Published In:
- Journal of palliative medicine, 28(8), 1020-1028 (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06483
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions were treated?
Half had neurological diagnoses, 37% cancer/blood disorders, 13% chronic pain.
What type of cannabis was used?
Most commonly a 1:1 CBD:THC tincture.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06483APA
Free, Taylor; Grossoehme, Daniel H; Richner, Gwendolyn; Brown, Miraides F; Friebert, Sarah. (2025). Characterizing the Population of a Medical Cannabis Clinic in a Pediatric Hospital.. Journal of palliative medicine, 28(8), 1020-1028. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2024.0533
MLA
Free, Taylor, et al. "Characterizing the Population of a Medical Cannabis Clinic in a Pediatric Hospital.." Journal of palliative medicine, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2024.0533
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Characterizing the Population of a Medical Cannabis Clinic i..." RTHC-06483. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/free-2025-characterizing-the-population-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.