Half of MS patients use cannabis medicinally, but neurologists have limited prescribing guidance | Research

The takeaway

Around half of MS patients have used cannabis medicinally and would endorse legalization, yet clinicians lack clear guidance on prescribing, and access to pharmaceutical-grade products remains highly restricted.

People with MS using or considering cannabis, neurologists, and anyone interested in the clinical reality of medical cannabis.

~50% of MS patients use cannabis medicinally; neurologists lack prescribing guidance

What the researchers found

About half of MS patients report previous or current medicinal cannabis use. Despite governments worldwide relaxing regulations, questions remain about how clinicians should prescribe or recommend products. Access to pharmaceutical-grade cannabis remains highly restricted even where legal.

Why it matters

MS patients are already using cannabis in large numbers. Neurologists need practical guidance that acknowledges this reality while navigating the gap between patient demand and available evidence.

The numbers in context

Approximately 50% of MS patients report medicinal cannabis use. Many governments relaxing regulations worldwide. Pharmaceutical-grade product access remains highly restricted.

How the study worked

Clinical review for practicing adult neurologists, summarizing what is known about cannabis use in multiple sclerosis and the practical challenges of integrating cannabis into MS care.

What this study cannot tell us

Clinical review rather than systematic review. General overview without detailed efficacy analysis. Prescribing guidance remains vague by necessity due to limited evidence.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: clinical review from a specialist neurology journal addressing practical care gaps.

When this study was published

Published in 2019.

The bigger picture

The disconnect between patient cannabis use (50%) and clinical guidance for neurologists reflects a broader healthcare failure. Patients are self-medicating with unregulated products while the medical system struggles to provide evidence-based alternatives.

Questions still open

What standardized protocols would help neurologists recommend cannabis safely? Could MS-specific cannabis guidelines reduce harms from self-medication? Which cannabis products and routes are most appropriate for specific MS symptoms?

Common questions

Do MS patients commonly use cannabis?

Yes. This review estimates about half of MS patients have used cannabis for medicinal purposes and would support legalization. Licensed treatments only partially control many MS symptoms, driving patients to seek alternatives.

Can neurologists prescribe cannabis for MS?

The situation varies by jurisdiction, but access to pharmaceutical-grade cannabis remains highly restricted everywhere. Many neurologists face unanswered questions about what to recommend, how to dose, and which products to use.

Read the original research

Cannabis and multiple sclerosis.

Practical neurology, 19(4), 310-315

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Ingram, Gillian; Pearson, Owen R. (2019). Cannabis and multiple sclerosis.. Practical neurology, 19(4), 310-315. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2018-002137