Cannabis dispensaries make widespread unsubstantiated dermatology claims
Dispensaries in Canada, the US, and Europe advertise cannabis for numerous skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, and melanoma, with most claims lacking scientific evidence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Dispensary websites claimed cannabis treats acne, aging, dermatitis, psoriasis, lupus, epidermolysis bullosa, and even melanoma. Psoriasis, dermatitis, and chronic pain were the most commonly cited dermatologic indications. Most of these claims are not supported by clinical evidence.
Key Numbers
Dispensary claims covered at least 12 dermatologic conditions. US state-approved dermatologic indications include psoriasis, lupus, nail-patella syndrome, and severe pain. Health Canada lists psoriasis, dermatitis, and pruritus as potential uses.
How They Did This
Survey of dispensary websites in Canada, the US, and Europe, tabulating dermatologic claims. Comparison with approved indications in the US (by state) and Health Canada's listed potential uses.
Why This Research Matters
Patients increasingly arrive at dermatology appointments having seen cannabis marketed for their conditions. Clinicians need to know what claims are being made so they can have informed conversations.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between marketing claims and scientific evidence for cannabis in dermatology mirrors broader concerns about the cannabis industry outpacing the science, leaving patients and clinicians navigating largely unvalidated territory.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Website survey captures a snapshot of marketing claims, which change over time. Did not assess whether patients actually use cannabis for these conditions or their outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are any of these dermatologic claims supported by emerging evidence?
- ?Should dispensaries be held to advertising standards similar to pharmaceutical companies?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 12+ unsubstantiated skin claims
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: systematic survey of marketing claims with regulatory comparison.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Dermatology-Related Uses of Medical Cannabis Promoted by Dispensaries in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
- Published In:
- Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery, 23(2), 178-184 (2019)
- Authors:
- Lim, Megan, Kirchhof, Mark G(3)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02139
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis treat skin conditions?
While some early research shows promise for conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis, most of the claims made by cannabis dispensaries are not supported by clinical evidence.
What dermatologic conditions do dispensaries claim cannabis treats?
Claims include acne, aging, dermatitis, psoriasis, lupus, herpes, Lyme disease, epidermolysis bullosa, and even melanoma.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02139APA
Lim, Megan; Kirchhof, Mark G. (2019). Dermatology-Related Uses of Medical Cannabis Promoted by Dispensaries in Canada, Europe, and the United States.. Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery, 23(2), 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475418808761
MLA
Lim, Megan, et al. "Dermatology-Related Uses of Medical Cannabis Promoted by Dispensaries in Canada, Europe, and the United States.." Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475418808761
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Dermatology-Related Uses of Medical Cannabis Promoted by Dis..." RTHC-02139. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lim-2019-dermatologyrelated-uses-of-medical
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.