Review concludes cannabinoids are not ready as medicines except for rare epilepsy and MS spasticity | Research

The takeaway

After reviewing 30 years of published research, the authors concluded that CBD and other cannabinoids are not ready for formal medical indications beyond rare childhood epilepsy and THC/CBD for MS-related spasticity.

Medical cannabis patients, clinicians authorizing cannabis, policymakers, and anyone curious about the evidence behind medical cannabis claims.

30 years reviewed; only 2 indications formally supported

What the researchers found

Current research shows CBD and other cannabinoids are not ready for formal indications as medicines to treat the wide range of conditions promoted, except for limited use of CBD for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy and CBD combined with THC for MS-associated spasticity.

Why it matters

Many states and countries have legalized cannabinoid use as medicine without regulatory body approval for most conditions. This review provides a reality check on what the clinical evidence actually supports.

The numbers in context

30 years of literature reviewed. Two formally supported indications: CBD for rare childhood epilepsy, CBD/THC for MS spasticity. Multiple conditions promoted but lacking sufficient clinical trial evidence.

How the study worked

Review of published papers over the past 30 years from PubMed and Google Scholar databases, evaluating clinical evidence from well-designed studies and trials supporting cannabinoid use as medicines.

What this study cannot tell us

Review methodology not fully described as systematic. May not capture all relevant clinical trials, particularly recent ones. The pace of new research may have shifted the evidence base since publication.

How to read the evidence

Broad review of decades of literature, but methodology not described as fully systematic.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The gap between what cannabinoids are marketed for and what clinical evidence supports continues to widen as more jurisdictions legalize medical cannabis. This review calls for more preclinical and clinical studies following regulatory guidelines.

Questions still open

Will the growing number of clinical trials change this assessment? Should states require more evidence before adding qualifying conditions to medical cannabis programs?

Common questions

What conditions does medical cannabis actually have evidence for?

After reviewing 30 years of research, this study found strong clinical evidence supports only CBD for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy and CBD/THC for MS-related spasticity. Many other promoted uses lack sufficient evidence.

Is CBD proven as a medicine?

CBD has regulatory approval for treating rare childhood epilepsy and shows potential for multiple conditions, but the review concluded that more rigorous clinical trials are needed before recommending it for other conditions.

Read the original research

Review: Cannabinoids as Medicinals.

Current addiction reports, 9(4), 630-646

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Khalsa, Jag H; Bunt, Gregory; Blum, Kenneth; Maggirwar, Sanjay B; Galanter, Marc; Potenza, Marc N. (2022). Review: Cannabinoids as Medicinals.. Current addiction reports, 9(4), 630-646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00438-3