WHY IT MATTERS: Patients managing metabolic syndrome, obesity, or early-stage fatty liver disease may want to discuss cannabinoid-based options with their physician as this area of research continues to develop. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Preclinical and emerging clinical research suggests that certain cannabinoids, particularly CBD and to some extent THC, may help reduce hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation associated with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These compounds appear to interact with the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors in hepatic tissue, with CB2 activation generally showing protective anti-inflammatory effects while CB1 activation may carry more complex metabolic implications.