A study published in JAMA examined more than 2,500 scientific papers released from January 2010 through September 2025, including randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses and clinical guidelines. Over 120 of these studies were given priority based on sample size, recency, relevance and the range of health conditions they addressed. Interest in cannabis and related compounds such as CBD has steadily increased, and a 2018 survey found that 27% of adults in the U.S. and Canada had used them for concerns like pain, anxiety and sleep.
Public Belief Outpaces Current Scientific Evidence
According to first author Dr. Michael Hsu of UCLA Health, many people assume cannabis provides reliable medical benefits, yet recent research does not fully support those assumptions.
"While many people turn to cannabis seeking relief, our review highlights significant gaps between public perception and scientific evidence regarding its effectiveness for most medical conditions" said Hsu, health sciences clinical assistant professor at the UCLA Health Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. "Clear guidance from clinicians is essential to support safe, evidence-based decision-making when discussing medical cannabis with their patients."
Proven Benefits Remain Narrow
The review found that only specific pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have demonstrated clear clinical benefits. These medications are limited to certain conditions, including HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and severe pediatric seizure disorders such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
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