# Recent Cannabis Research Digest: 20 Studies – March 16, 2026 > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/recent-cannabis-research-digest-march-16-2026/ > **Published:** 2026-03-16T19:11:09-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:06:34-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the recent cannabis research digest featuring 20 peer-reviewed studies from March 16, 2026, highlighting clinical relevance and evidence quality. --- CED Clinical Relevance #85 Research Authority Peer-reviewed research curated for clinical relevance and evidence quality. Recent research digest. 20 of 20 most recent studies from our monitored feeds. CED Clinical Relevance #81 Research Authority A Scoping Systematic Review of Cannabis Use in Endometriosis. *McLaren Kindha et al.* The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology • 2026 # Clinical Summary This scoping review examined whether cannabis might help reduce pain and inflammation in endometriosis, a common condition affecting up to 10% of women of reproductive age that causes chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The review searched medical databases through January 2024 to characterize how cannabis affects endometriosis-related pain and to identify any reported side effects from its use. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41367152/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10466434/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0116) CED Clinical Relevance #82 Research Authority Pharmacoepidemiologic characterization of cannabis use and symptomatology in rheumatology using natural language processing of electronic health record clinic notes. *Falasinnu Titilola et al.* The journal of pain • 2026 Researchers used computer analysis of electronic health records from over 5,000 rheumatology patients to identify cannabis use patterns and reasons for use among those with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that many arthritis patients with controlled inflammation still experience significant pain and may use cannabis for symptom management, with the computer system successfully identifying these patterns with high accuracy. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41354127/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9898277/) CED Clinical Relevance #83 Research Authority Global index of lifestyle quality and non-suicidal self-injury in the SESSAMO project: a Spanish adolescents cohort. *Goñi-Sarriés Adriana et al.* European journal of public health • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study examined whether poor lifestyle habits in Spanish adolescents aged 14-16 years were associated with higher rates of non-suicidal self-injury, finding that unhealthy behaviors including poor diet, inadequate physical activity, and excessive screen time were linked to increased self-harm. The research suggests that promoting comprehensive lifestyle improvements such as better nutrition, regular exercise, and reduced screen exposure may help reduce self-injurious behaviors in this adolescent population. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41206960/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf159) CED Clinical Relevance #84 Research Authority Impact of Cannabis Smoking on Multiple Sleep Latency Test Outcomes. *Tzanis Kosta et al.* Journal of sleep research • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study examined how cannabis smoking affects sleep latency testing results by comparing cannabis users, tobacco users, and non-smokers who underwent sleep studies at a Toronto hospital between 2008 and 2018. The research found differences in sleep onset measurements among the three groups, suggesting that active cannabis smoking may influence how quickly people fall asleep during standardized sleep testing. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40458917/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053256/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.70107) CED Clinical Relevance #85 Research Authority Iterative development and clinical outcomes of an outpatient young adult substance use program. *Halladay Jillian et al.* Psychology of addictive behaviors: journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors • 2026 # Clinical Summary The Young Adult Substance Use Program is an outpatient treatment designed specifically for teenagers and young adults (ages 17-25) with substance use problems, often combined with mental health conditions. The program was developed using evidence-based approaches and evaluated for its effectiveness in recruiting and keeping patients engaged in treatment. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40658588/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0001078) CED Clinical Relevance #86 Research Authority Changes in cannabis use following legalization: Effects in first-episode psychosis. *Purushothaman Deepa et al.* Schizophrenia research • 2026 [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41671766/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2026.02.001) CED Clinical Relevance #87 Research Authority Medical Cannabis Use in France: An Observational Safety Study Based on the RECANN Registry and the Pharmacovigilance/Addictovigilance System From 2021 to 2024. *Chevallier Cécile et al.* Fundamental & clinical pharmacology • 2026 # Clinical Summary France conducted a 3-year safety monitoring study of medical cannabis use from 2021 to 2024, collecting adverse drug reaction data through a dedicated registry and national pharmacovigilance system to evaluate the feasibility and safety profile of medical cannabis as a public health intervention. The study tracked side effects and safety concerns reported by patients using medical cannabis during this experimental period to inform future policy decisions about [cannabis-based treatments](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-medical-clinic-experience-beyond-smoking-vaping/). [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41734782/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1111/fcp.70074) CED Clinical Relevance #88 Research Authority Psychedelic-Related Psychosis: From Model Psychosis to Psychotherapy. *Bröcker Anna-Lena et al.* Current topics in behavioral neurosciences • 2026 # Clinical Summary Classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin can trigger psychotic symptoms that range from short-term effects during drug use to lasting psychiatric illness, causing significant distress due to their unpredictable nature and potential for harmful behavior. These drugs have historically been studied as experimental models of schizophrenia, though psychotic complications remain uncommon and non-specific adverse effects of psychedelic use. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41749024/) CED Clinical Relevance #89 Research Authority Neuroplasticity, Antipsychotic Efficacy, Schizophrenia Risk Reduction With Doxycycline Exposure, and Cannabis and Alcohol Use Interactions. *Kalin Ned H* The American journal of psychiatry • 2026 [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41620812/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20251336) CED Clinical Relevance #80 Research Authority Investigating medical cannabis for adolescents with Tourette syndrome: tread carefully. *Abi-Jaoude Elia* BJPsych open • 2026 # Clinical Summary While cannabis shows promise for treating tics in Tourette syndrome, research has primarily involved adults, and two new feasibility studies recruited adolescents without ensuring they had first tried standard evidence-based treatments. This approach raises significant safety concerns because regular cannabis use in adolescents is associated with serious risks, particularly the development of psychosis. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41556111/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7436434/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10959) CED Clinical Relevance #81 Research Authority People with psychotic disorders are the most vulnerable to cannabis adverse health outcomes: a study in WA State, USA. *Carlini Beatriz H et al.* Community mental health journal • 2026 # Clinical Summary People with psychotic disorders experience significantly more negative health outcomes from cannabis use compared to individuals with other mental health conditions or no mental health diagnosis. This Washington State study of 4,144 cannabis users found that those with psychotic disorders face greater vulnerabilities to cannabis-related harms, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions and counseling for this high-risk population. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41543692/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/6887107/) CED Clinical Relevance #82 Research Authority Centering Individuals With Mental Illness as an At-Risk Group in the Era of [Cannabis Legalization](https://cedclinic.com/the-forgotten-history-of-hemp-in-america/) and Commercialization. *Hyatt Andrew S* Clinical therapeutics • 2026 [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41354599/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2025.11.009) CED Clinical Relevance #83 Research Authority Rewired realities: novel insights into the neurobiology of cannabis use disorder and psychosis. *Ferland Jacqueline-Marie N et al.* Neuropsychopharmacology: official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology • 2026 [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40770494/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11983296/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.0432) CED Clinical Relevance #84 Research Authority Cannabis use in pregnancy: Key findings from 2021-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. *Wysota Christina N et al.* Addictive behaviors • 2026 # Clinical Summary Among pregnant individuals in the U.S., current cannabis use remains a public health concern, with specific demographic and clinical factors associated with different patterns of use during pregnancy. This study identified characteristics of pregnant people who use cannabis currently, recently, formerly, or never to help inform targeted prevention and clinical intervention strategies. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41643368/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108621) CED Clinical Relevance #85 Research Authority Profiles of polysubstance exposure in youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the association with neurodevelopmental outcomes. *Delage Madeline N et al.* Neurotoxicology and teratology • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study examined how different combinations of prenatal drug exposures (alcohol with opioids, stimulants, cannabis, and nicotine) affect brain development and thinking skills in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The research found that specific patterns of multiple drug exposures together cause greater harm to children’s learning, memory, and attention than any single drug alone. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41633492/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5769923/) CED Clinical Relevance #86 Research Authority Cannabis and pediatric cannabis exposure – evidence from America’s Poison Centers. *Steuart Shelby R et al.* Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines • 2026 # Clinical Summary Between 2016 and 2021, reported cannabis exposures in children aged 2-20 increased significantly in states with legal medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries compared to states without legalization. The study used national poison center data from over 36,000 pediatric cannabis exposure cases to demonstrate that cannabis legalization is associated with higher rates of accidental poisonings and exposures in the pediatric population. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41077545/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70058) CED Clinical Relevance #87 Research Authority Placental transfer and vasoactivity of cannabidiol: beware of rapid oxidation. *Harhangi M S et al.* European journal of pharmacology • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study found that cannabidiol (CBD) crosses the placental barrier and reaches the fetus, raising safety concerns for pregnant women using [CBD products](https://cedclinic.com/fda-warning-on-cbd-products/). The research also identified that CBD rapidly breaks down in the placenta through oxidation, which may produce metabolites with unknown effects on fetal development and placental function. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41662900/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178653) CED Clinical Relevance #88 Research Authority Household cannabis cessation and [adolescent mental health](https://cedclinic.com/conduct-disorder-substance-use-disorders-teens/) outcomes in a prospective cohort study. *Wang Ming et al.* BMC medicine • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study found that when parents or household members stopped using cannabis, adolescents living in those homes showed improvements in mental health outcomes including reduced depression and anxiety symptoms. The research suggests that household cannabis cessation may be an important protective factor for adolescent psychological well-being. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41629925/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603819/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04668-4) CED Clinical Relevance #89 Research Authority 2025 update of the Greig Health Record: Part 2-what’s controversial? *Greig Anita et al.* Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien • 2026 # Clinical Summary The 2025 Greig Health Record update reviews controversial recommendations in pediatric preventive care by synthesizing evidence from major health organizations including the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics. The update examines areas where preventive care guidance differs or evolves, helping clinicians navigate conflicting recommendations for child health screening and interventions. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41679933/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4841019/) CED Clinical Relevance #80 Research Authority From card to cradle: examining medical cannabis purchasing among pregnant women in Arkansas. *ElHassan Nahed O et al.* American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM • 2026 # Clinical Summary This study analyzed medical cannabis purchasing patterns among pregnant women in Arkansas between 2019 and 2022, examining the quantity, types, and timing of cannabis products purchased through licensed dispensaries. The research provides population-level data on pregnant women’s medical cannabis use by linking patient registry information with actual dispensary transaction records. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41317990/) | [PMC PDF](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6823105/) | [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.4789) Digest generated March 16, 2026 at 07:11 PM [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 [Research Digest: 40 Recent Studies – March 20, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/research-digest-cannabis-clinical-studies-march-2026/) An expanded digest featuring 40 recent cannabis-related studies with clinical insights and evidence updates. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/research-digest-cannabis-clinical-studies-march-2026/) [Research Digest: 20 Recent Studies – March 18, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/research-digest-recent-studies-march-2026/) A focused summary of 20 recent studies highlighting new findings in [cannabis research](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-certification-care-children/) and clinical applications. [Explore Now](https://cedclinic.com/research-digest-recent-studies-march-2026/) [Cannabis Risks and Medical Benefits: What the Evidence Actually Shows](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-risks-medical-benefits-evidence-review-2024/) A comprehensive review of cannabis health risks and medical benefits based on current scientific evidence. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-risks-medical-benefits-evidence-review-2024/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Research%20Digest%3A%2020%20Recent%20Studies%20%28D%29%20-%20March%2016%2C%202026&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Frecent-cannabis-research-digest-march-16-2026%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Frecent-cannabis-research-digest-march-16-2026%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Research%20Digest%3A%2020%20Recent%20Studies%20%28D%29%20-%20March%2016%2C%202026%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Frecent-cannabis-research-digest-march-16-2026%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), 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).