# Cannabis Benefits vs Risks Diagram

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/d61potential-risks-and-side-effects-of-medical-cannabis-png/
> **Published:** 2026-09-04T23:01:23-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-13T14:40:23-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Benefits, common side effects, and rare risks of medical cannabis in four comparison tables, with cautions for heart, liver, and psychiatric conditions.

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[← Back to the Side Effects Summary Hub](https://cedclinic.com/topic-side-effects-diagrams/)Diagram & referenceA visual reference. The evidence, sources and clinical interpretation are in the linked article.About this diagramTwo small flow charts placed side by side. The left one puts benefits of [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-gummies-for-sexual-enhancement-evidence/) at the top over three boxes: pain relief, reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection. The right one puts risks and side effects over dizziness, increased heart rate and dry mouth. It is a headline summary with three items on each side, not a graded or weighted comparison.The evidence behind it[Read the evidence: medical cannabis risks counted with numbers, covering dependence, hyperemesis, heart, psychosis, cognition and driving](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-risks-side-effects/)That article carries the cited studies, the limits of the evidence, and the clinical interpretation.

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### 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).