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Taking Cannabis Claims With a Grain of Salt
Emerging research highlights the risks and limited benefits of cannabis products.
Key points
- Cannabis is gaining widespread appeal and a growing number of U.S. states are approving medical marijuana.
- A large study found a 2.8-fold increased risk of death for those with CUD compared to the general population.
- Another study found significant connections between CUD and schizophrenia.
Cannabis aficionados often emphasize the positive aspects of marijuana and related products, citing a range of generally not well-evidence-informed applications in pain management, mental health, creativity, and recreational or social use. While some studies suggest cannabis may be effective for certain types of pain, insomnia, and a small handful of conditions, the enthusiasm-and often the marketing in this lucrative space-does not always align with the data. Cannabis is not universally benign and may cause serious harm for some individuals. For instance, in a 2021 review and meta-analysis, Kiburi and colleagues found a 1.7-fold increased risk and earlier-onset of psychotic illness among adolescent cannabis users.
Despite cannabis’ widespread appeal and the growing number of U.S. states approving medical…
