The evidence for medical cannabis in children and adolescents is still limited

Following PRISMA guidelines, researchers searched PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL databases through May 2017. They screened 2,743 citations, reviewed 103 full texts, and included 21 articles containing 22 studies. Study types included five RCTs, five retrospective chart reviews, five case reports, four open-label trials, two parent surveys, and one case series.

As medical marijuana becomes legal in more jurisdictions, parents increasingly seek cannabinoid treatments for their children. This review provides a clear-eyed assessment of what the evidence actually supports, highlighting the gap between public enthusiasm and scientific documentation. The lack of long-term safety data in developing brains is a particular concern that warrants more research.

Pediatric cannabinoid research faces unique ethical and regulatory challenges. The tension between expanding legal access and limited evidence is particularly acute for children, where both the potential benefits and the risks of cannabinoid exposure during brain development carry high stakes. This review underscores the need for rigorous pediatric trials rather than reliance on adult data or anecdotal reports.

The review was limited by the heterogeneity and small size of available studies. Different cannabinoid formulations, doses, and delivery methods across studies make direct comparisons difficult. Publication bias may overrepresent positive results. The search was conducted in 2017 and does not include more recent pediatric CBD studies.