Medical cannabis products show real benefits for chronic pain and spasticity with manageable side effects

THC-predominant and balanced THC/CBD products showed the strongest evidence for chronic neuropathic pain. Balanced products were also effective for MS spasticity. Most products showed symptomatic benefits for anxiety, nausea, and sleep. Adverse effects were mostly non-serious, transient, and dose-dependent. Clinical studies found little evidence of dependence potential, contrasting with recreational use data.

Narrative review evaluating published evidence from randomized controlled trials, other controlled studies, and observational real-world registry studies on the clinical benefits, safety, and dependence potential of cannabis-based medicinal products.

The review distinguishes between THC-predominant, balanced, and CBD-predominant products, providing clinicians with practical guidance on which formulations have the best evidence for which conditions.

As medical cannabis programs expand globally, clinicians need evidence-based guidance on product selection. This review moves beyond the binary 'cannabis works/doesn't work' debate to differentiate between product types and indications.

Narrative review methodology allows selective evidence inclusion. Observational registry data may have reporting bias. Most evidence comes from short-to-medium term studies. Comparison across different products and formulations is inherently difficult.