# Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids – EurekAlert! > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-use-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-eurekalert/ > **Published:** 2026-08-07T12:20:02-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:47:50-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** JAMA systematic review on cannabis efficacy evidence clarifies therapeutic use, safety, and clinical evidence grades for physician prescribing. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance #77 Strong Clinical Relevance High-quality evidence with meaningful patient or clinical significance. ResearchCBDTHCPainAnxietySafetyDosing Clinical Summary This JAMA review synthesizes current evidence on the therapeutic applications of cannabis and cannabinoids across clinical conditions, providing physicians with an evidence-based framework for understanding which conditions have sufficient supporting data and which remain investigational. The authors examine pharmacological mechanisms, clinical efficacy data, and safety profiles to help distinguish between well-established therapeutic uses and those requiring further research. By consolidating the existing literature, this review addresses the growing clinical challenge of patients seeking [cannabis-based treatments](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-medical-clinic-experience-beyond-smoking-vaping/) and clinicians needing credible information to guide evidence-based recommendations. The publication clarifies regulatory status and identifies gaps in the clinical knowledge base, which is particularly important as more jurisdictions legalize cannabis and patients increasingly inquire about its therapeutic potential. Clinicians can use this comprehensive review to make informed discussions with patients about realistic benefits, limitations, and risks associated with cannabis and cannabinoid therapies across different clinical scenarios. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This JAMA review is a valuable synthesis of where the evidence actually stands on [cannabis therapeutics](https://cedclinic.com/firearms-regulatory-guidance-cannabis/), and it’s important precisely because it doesn’t oversell what we know. We have solid data in specific areas like chemotherapy-related nausea and certain seizure disorders, but for many other conditions patients ask about, we’re still working with preliminary signals rather than clinical certainty, and clinicians need to be transparent about that distinction.” Clinical Perspective 💊 As [cannabis-based therapies](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-inhibit-keratinocyte-proliferation-non-cb1-cb2/) gain regulatory approval in select jurisdictions, clinicians should remain cautious about the gap between evidence-based indications and patient expectations or self-directed use. Current evidence supports cannabinoid efficacy primarily for chemotherapy-induced nausea, certain seizure disorders, and [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/) conditions, yet many patients seek cannabis for off-label purposes without robust clinical trial support. The heterogeneity of cannabis products, variable cannabinoid concentrations, and limited long-term safety data complicate standardized prescribing, particularly regarding cognitive effects, dependency potential, and [drug interactions](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-liver-interactions-study-insights/) in polypharmacy scenarios. While systematic reviews help synthesize emerging evidence, individual patient factors such as age, comorbidities, and concurrent medications warrant individualized risk-benefit conversations. Clinicians should become familiar with current evidence thresholds for approved indications, maintain realistic patient discussions about proven versus investigational uses, and document their clinical reasoning 💬 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-related-research/) Have thoughts on this? 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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 --- ### 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).