As of 2025, strong evidence supports cannabis for chemotherapy nausea, HIV appetite loss, specific epilepsies, and MS spasticity, while evidence for pain, insomnia, and psychiatric conditions remains mixed.
Clinicians advising patients about medical cannabis, patients considering cannabis therapy, and anyone wanting a balanced view of benefits vs. risks.
What the researchers found
Key established indications include chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, HIV/AIDS appetite loss, Dravet/Lennox-Gastaut/tuberous sclerosis seizures, and MS spasticity. Evidence for chronic pain, insomnia, and psychiatric disorders is inconclusive. Risks include addiction, cognitive impairment in adolescents, CHS, psychosis, perinatal complications, and cardiovascular/pulmonary effects.
Why it matters
As public interest in medical cannabis grows, clinicians need a clear evidence-based framework for what cannabis can and cannot do. This review separates established benefits from hype and honestly addresses risks.
The numbers in context
Established indications: 6 conditions with strong evidence. Emerging areas with mixed evidence: chronic pain, insomnia, opioid use disorder, neurological disorders.
How the study worked
Clinical review evaluating current evidence for cannabis and cannabinoid treatment across established and emerging indications, with assessment of known risks and harms.
What this study cannot tell us
Review scope limited to selected conditions. Cannabis research is hampered by historical scheduling restrictions. Evidence quality varies dramatically across conditions.
How to read the evidence
Comprehensive clinical review providing an up-to-date evidence synthesis, though dependent on available research which remains limited for many conditions.
When this study was published
2025 review providing the most current clinical evidence assessment for cannabis therapeutics.
The bigger picture
The gap between public perception of cannabis as medicine and actual clinical evidence remains significant. This review provides clinicians with the balanced assessment needed to counsel patients who increasingly arrive having already tried cannabis.
Questions still open
- Will improved research access lead to more established indications? How should clinicians handle the gap between patient experience and clinical evidence?
Common questions
What conditions does cannabis actually help?
What are the main risks of cannabis use?
Read the original research
Therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids: benefits and risks.
Polish archives of internal medicine, 135(11)
Citation
Zhai, Xiadi; Sarkar, Pooja R; Hill, Kevin P. (2025). Therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids: benefits and risks.. Polish archives of internal medicine, 135(11). https://doi.org/10.20452/pamw.17117
Explore the wider topic
- CBD Oil Quality Guide: How to Avoid Snake Oil
- Anxiety After Quitting Weed: When to Consider Medication
- Cannabis for Chemotherapy Nausea: What the Evidence Actually Shows
- Cannabis for Chronic Pain: What the Research Actually Supports
- Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Epidiolex Story and What It Means
- Does CBD Actually Work for Anxiety? What the Evidence Shows
- Does CBD Help with Weed Withdrawal? What Studies Show
- CBD vs THC: The Differences That Actually Matter
- The Proven Medical Benefits of Cannabis: What Research Supports
- Quitting Weed Before Surgery
- Weed and Medications: What Changes When You Quit
- Quitting Weed During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
- Quitting Weed While Pregnant: What You Need to Know
- Cannabis and Older Adults: Risks Seniors Should Know
- Cannabis and Breastfeeding: THC in Breast Milk