Many people use cannabis and cannabis products as a treatment for chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and many health conditions. The medical benefits of cannabis most commonly come from cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In states where it is legal, medical professionals may prescribe dried cannabis, oils, tablets, and other products containing CBD and THC to treat a range of conditions. These are broadly referred to as “medicinal cannabis.” The effects of these treatments are well-studied and typically well-tolerated for their intended use.
What are the medical benefits of cannabis?
Over the years, research has yielded results to suggest that cannabis may be beneficial in the treatment of some conditions. These are listed below.
Chronic pain
A large 2017 review of more than 10,000 scientific studies found that cannabis, or products containing cannabinoids — which are active compounds in cannabis — are effective at relieving chronic pain. Medicinal cannabis may be of particular use in reducing neuropathic (nerve) pain.
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Some people use CBD oil to reduce or replace their intake of prescription pain medications. Furthermore, a 2017 review suggests that using cannabis may help people with alcohol or opioid dependencies treat their addictions. A 2022 Canadian study also found a distinct correlation between medicinal cannabis use and a reduction in alcohol use.
Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety
Authors of a 2017 review found some evidence supporting the use of cannabis to relieve depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. While research into the efficacy of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for psychiatric disorders is promising, it is still in its early stages. Further research is required to fully assess the role of medicinal cannabis in treating mental health conditions.
Cancer
Evidence suggests that oral cannabinoids are effective against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and some small studies have found that smoked cannabis may also help alleviate these symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis
The short-term use of oral cannabinoids may improve symptoms of spasticity among people with multiple sclerosis, but the positive effects are modest.

Epilepsy
In June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a medication containing CBD to treat two rare, severe, and specific types of epilepsy — Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome — that are difficult to control with other types of medication. This CBD-based drug is known as Epidiolex. A study published in 2017 found that the use of CBD resulted in far fewer seizures among children with Dravet syndrome compared with a placebo.