A review for pharmacists summarizes the evidence on cannabis's therapeutic uses alongside its impact on the developing brain, emphasizing the pharmacist's role in counseling patients and families about risks and benefits of medical marijuana in young patients.
Pharmacists, pharmacy students, pediatric healthcare providers, and parents considering medical cannabis for children.
What the researchers found
The review covers cannabis's established therapeutic applications (chronic pain, epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, MS spasticity, IBD) while highlighting evidence that cannabis exposure during brain development can affect cognition, memory, and executive function, underscoring the need for pharmacist education and patient counseling.
Why it matters
As more states legalize medical marijuana and pediatric indications expand (especially CBD for epilepsy), pharmacists are on the front line of patient education. This review equips them with evidence-based talking points about both benefits and developmental risks.
The numbers in context
Therapeutic areas reviewed: chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease. Focus age range: developing minds (children and adolescents).
How the study worked
Narrative review published in the Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics, synthesizing the history of medical marijuana, current pharmacological evidence, and neurodevelopmental impact literature, with a focus on the pharmacist's clinical role.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review — not systematic. Broad scope may sacrifice depth on individual topics. Pharmacist-focused perspective may not address physician or patient needs. Rapid changes in the field may outpace published reviews.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review in a specialized pharmacy journal, providing a useful clinical synthesis but not a systematic evaluation of the evidence.
When this study was published
Published 2025.
The bigger picture
Pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals and play a crucial role in cannabis education. As the gap between legal access and clinical knowledge widens, reviews like this help ensure healthcare providers can offer balanced, evidence-based guidance.
Questions still open
- Are pharmacy curricula keeping pace with expanding cannabis indications? How do pharmacists balance respecting patient autonomy with warning about developmental risks? Should pharmacists play a more active role in monitoring pediatric cannabis prescriptions?
Common questions
Is medical marijuana safe for children?
What should pharmacists know about cannabis?
Read the original research
Under the Influence: Cognitive Effects of Medical Marijuana on Developing Minds.
The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG, 30(4), 440-449
Citation
Vuong, Marry; Parkhill, Kaylee. (2025). Under the Influence: Cognitive Effects of Medical Marijuana on Developing Minds.. The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG, 30(4), 440-449. https://doi.org/10.5863/JPPT-25-01209
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