As President Trump is expected to sign an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a major new review suggests the medical benefits of cannabis may be far more limited than many believe.
Researchers analyzed more than 2,500 scientific papers published between January 2010 and September 2025, including randomized clinical trials, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana. The review found strong scientific evidence supporting only a handful of medical uses, while many common claims, including treatment for chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia, lack solid backing.
“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 lead author Dr. Michael Hsu of UCLA Health in a news release.
According to the analysis, clear clinical benefits were found only for a small number of FDA-approved, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid medications. Those are limited to specific conditions such as appetite loss associated with HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and severe pediatric seizure disorders, including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
For many other conditions, evidence remains insufficient. Although chronic pain is one of the most common reasons patients use medical cannabis, current clinical guidelines do not recommend cannabis-based treatments as a first-line option.
The review also raised safety concerns, particularly for younger users. Long-term studies found that adolescents using cannabis experienced higher rates of psychotic symptoms and generalized anxiety disorder.
Researchers found that nearly 29% of medical cannabis users met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Daily use, especially inhaled or high-potency products, was also linked to elevated cardiovascular risks, including heart attack and stroke, when compared with non-daily use.
“Patients deserve honest conversations about what the science does and doesn’t tell us about medical cannabis,” Hsu said.
Researchers say further studies are needed to better understand the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis and provide better guidance to doctors.
