Medical Cannabis
Category: Medical · Level: Beginner
Medical cannabis refers to cannabis or cannabis-derived products prescribed or recommended by a licensed healthcare professional for therapeutic purposes.
Medical cannabis means cannabis or cannabis based products used for a health reason under the supervision of a doctor, as opposed to adult use. It covers a wide range: dried flower for vaporizing, standardized oils and capsules, and licensed medicines such as Sativex (nabiximols) for multiple sclerosis spasticity, Epidiolex (purified CBD) for certain childhood epilepsies, and synthetic THC medicines such as dronabinol and nabilone.
Where the evidence is strongest: reviews by bodies such as the US National Academies have found the clearest support for chronic pain in adults, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis, with purified CBD proven for Dravet and Lennox Gastaut syndromes. For many other conditions often listed, including anxiety, sleep and PTSD, the evidence is limited or mixed. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and impaired concentration, and THC is not recommended in pregnancy, in people with a history of psychosis, or before driving.
How access works: rules differ by country. Many US states issue patient cards after a doctor's recommendation; Canada has run a federal medical program since 2001; the UK has allowed specialist prescriptions since 2018; Germany has allowed prescriptions since 2017 and, since 2024, no longer classes medical cannabis as a narcotic. Products are dispensed by pharmacies or licensed dispensaries, often with defined THC and CBD content so doses can be repeated. Patients should involve their doctor and pharmacist, especially when taking other medicines.
Also known as
Medical marijuana, Therapeutic cannabis, Medicinal cannabis
Used in
- Medical
- Legal
Regulatory notes
Medical cannabis programs exist in Germany, UK, Australia, Canada, Israel, Brazil, and many others. Each country defines qualifying conditions and product forms differently.
Related terms
- THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for the 'high' associated with its use.
- GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a quality assurance framework mandated by regulatory agencies for the production of pharmaceutical, food, and cannabis products.
- CBD: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp, widely used in medical research and consumer wellness products.
- Pharmaceutical Cannabis: Pharmaceutical cannabis refers to cannabis-derived medicines that meet pharmaceutical manufacturing standards and are prescribed through formal medical channels.
- Adult-Use: Adult-use refers to the legal, non-medical sale and consumption of cannabis by adults, typically defined as individuals 21 or older.