# Comparative Effectiveness, Safety, and Acceptability of Cannabis Use Disorder Treatments > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/comparative-effectiveness-cannabis-use-disorder/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T04:02:23-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:01:28-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the comparative effectiveness cannabis use disorder treatments with a focus on safety and acceptability in this comprehensive network meta-analysis. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #84High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Addiction (Abingdon, England) Study Type [Systematic Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-safety-efficacy-mental-health-study/) Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary Our primary aim was to conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) for the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of all psychosocial interventions and all pharmacotherapies for [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) (CUD). We conducted a NMA of studies identified from two completed systematic reviews examining the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of pharmacotherapies and psychosocial interventions for CUD in people aged ≥16 years. Outcomes were level of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/), abstinence, adverse events and treatment completion. Fifty-seven studies were eligible for NMA. Depending on outcome, NMAs of psychosocial interventions included 6-16 studies (445-2287 participants), and NMAs of pharmacotherapies included 5-36 studies (260-3106 participants). Results are described relative to minimum clinically meaningful difference [mean difference (MD) ± 0.05, odds ratio (OR) ≤ 0.8 or ≥1.25]. Evidence for pharmacological interventions reducing [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) was very uncertain. However, low-certainty evidence suggested Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Comparative%20effectiveness%2C%20safety%20and%20acceptability%20of%20pharmacological%20and%20psychosocial%20intervention...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcomparative-effectiveness-safety-and-acceptability-of-pharmacological-and-p%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcomparative-effectiveness-safety-and-acceptability-of-pharmacological-and-p%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Comparative%20effectiveness%2C%20safety%20and%20acceptability%20of%20pharmacological%20and%20psychosocial%20intervention...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcomparative-effectiveness-safety-and-acceptability-of-pharmacological-and-p%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41924869/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41924869/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What did this network meta-analysis of cannabis use disorder treatments compare?](#What_did_this_network_meta-analysis_of_cannabis_use_disorder_treatments_compare) - [Which outcomes did the analysis use to judge treatments?](#Which_outcomes_did_the_analysis_use_to_judge_treatments) - [How many studies and participants were included in the analysis?](#How_many_studies_and_participants_were_included_in_the_analysis) - [Do medications help people with cannabis use disorder cut back?](#Do_medications_help_people_with_cannabis_use_disorder_cut_back) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What did this network meta-analysis of cannabis use disorder treatments compare? It compared the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of all psychosocial interventions and all pharmacotherapies for [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/). The studies came from two completed systematic reviews and involved people aged 16 or older. The analysis was published in the journal Addiction. ### Which outcomes did the analysis use to judge treatments? The analysis looked at four outcomes: level of cannabis use, abstinence, adverse events and treatment completion. Results were described relative to the minimum clinically meaningful difference, meaning each finding was judged against the smallest change considered clinically meaningful. ### How many studies and participants were included in the analysis? Fifty-seven studies were eligible. Depending on the outcome, the analyses of psychosocial interventions included 6 to 16 studies with 445 to 2,287 participants, and the analyses of pharmacotherapies included 5 to 36 studies with 260 to 3,106 participants. ### Do medications help people with cannabis use disorder cut back? The evidence is very uncertain. In this network meta-analysis, evidence that pharmacological interventions reduce cannabis use was very uncertain, so the analysis does not establish that any medication reliably lowers cannabis use in people with cannabis use disorder. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New Clinical Insights on Cannabis and Patient Outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) Explore recent clinical findings on cannabis and its impact on patient health outcomes. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Understand the immediate effects of cannabis on brain function within the first day of use. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) [Thailand to shift cannabis shops to medical use as numbers plunge – Chinadaily.com.cn](https://cedclinic.com/thailand-cannabis-medical-use-policy-shift-2026/) Discover policy changes in Thailand as cannabis shops transition to medical use amid declining sales. [Explore Article](https://cedclinic.com/thailand-cannabis-medical-use-policy-shift-2026/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).