Are there any medical uses of marijuana?
People have used marijuana for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Research supports using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain and chemotherapy-related nausea. It also supports the use for muscle stiffness in multiple sclerosis patients.
Many people use marijuana to relieve pain and nausea. Its effects can vary for different conditions. Some studies show that marijuana might take the place of traditional pain meds. This includes opioids for many people.
Some evidence suggests that marijuana can help improve short-term sleep. This is especially true for those with sleep issues like sleep apnea or fibromyalgia. Limited evidence shows it may help with symptoms of Tourette syndrome, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Limited evidence shows that marijuana can boost appetite and reduce weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS. It might also improve recovery after a traumatic brain injury or hemorrhage.
As of April 2025, thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. However, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This puts marijuana in the same group as heroin and LSD. Despite both anecdotal and qualitative evidence showing the medical benefits of marijuana, being a Schedule 1 drug suggests that marijuana has no recognized medical use under federal law. This makes it hard for researchers to explore its benefits and risks. The scheduling of marijuana creates barriers to federal funding, limits access to quality research samples, and restricts large clinical trials. Despite these obstacles, research shows conclusive evidence that marijuana is medically effective for many treatments.
