A retrospective cohort of 142 pediatric medical cannabis patients found high parent satisfaction (73%) but objective improvements in only a subset, with epilepsy patients showing the most measurable benefit.
Pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, parents considering medical cannabis for children, and program administrators.
What the researchers found
Parents reported satisfaction in 73% of cases. Epilepsy patients had the most objective improvement — 34% had >50% seizure reduction. For other conditions (autism, pain, spasticity), parent-reported benefit often exceeded measurable clinical improvement. 12% discontinued due to side effects. Most common adverse effects: sedation (18%), appetite changes (14%).
Why it matters
Pediatric medical cannabis programs are growing, but evidence on real-world outcomes is scarce. The gap between parent satisfaction and objective improvement raises important questions about expectation effects versus genuine benefit.
The numbers in context
142 pediatric patients; 73% parent satisfaction; 34% of epilepsy patients had >50% seizure reduction; 12% discontinued for side effects; 18% experienced sedation.
How the study worked
Retrospective chart review of 142 patients aged 0-18 years in a pediatric medical cannabis program. Assessed indication, product type, parent satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and adverse effects.
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective design. No control group. Parent satisfaction is subjective. Heterogeneous conditions and products. Single center. Objective outcome measures varied by condition.
How to read the evidence
Reasonable cohort size provides useful real-world data, but retrospective design and lack of controls limit causal conclusions.
When this study was published
2025 retrospective cohort from a pediatric medical cannabis program.
The bigger picture
The discrepancy between high parent satisfaction and limited objective improvement is not unique to cannabis — it reflects broader challenges in pediatric symptom management where subjective and objective measures diverge.
Questions still open
- Is parent satisfaction a sufficient endpoint for pediatric medical cannabis programs?
- Should different evidence standards apply to different pediatric conditions?
Common questions
Does medical cannabis work for children?
Is medical cannabis safe for children?
Read the original research
Medical cannabis utilization in children - a study based on a nationwide cohort.
Frontiers in pharmacology, 16, 1646560
Citation
Treves, Nir; Yakirevich-Amir, Noa; Allegaert, Karel; van den Anker, John N; Kohn, Elkana; Berlin, Maya; Hazan, Ariela; Davidson, Elyad; Berkovitch, Matitiahu; Bonne, Omer; Stolar, Orit E; Matok, Ilan. (2025). Medical cannabis utilization in children - a study based on a nationwide cohort.. Frontiers in pharmacology, 16, 1646560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1646560
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