Cannabis use in medicine: evidence needed

Published May 9, 2023

A lot more research into the risks and benefits of cannabinoids (CBD) is necessary to keep pace with medicinal and recreational use in the US, an expert highlighted at a recent conference.

“We need research on medical cannabis efficacy so that physicians and patients can make informed choices about whether medical cannabis should be a part of their treatment plans,” Dr Kevin Hill outlines. “There is some evidence, but it is dwarfed by the amount of interest.”

Policy on medicinal and recreational use changes almost daily and varies dramatically between US states. But instead of being informed by healthcare professionals, people are learning from celebrities, the internet and other unverified sources.

Dr Hill suggests that there is some high-quality evidence supporting the use of various CBD products for chronic and neuropathic pain. But a lot more data and evidence is needed.

The laws around CBD products in the UK are much more stringent. But the UK often follows where the US leads, so watch this space.

PS Did you know that Arthritis Digest Magazine is labelled the best UK Arthritis blog from thousands of blogs on the web ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness?