Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain: What Research Shows

Chronic pain is pain that keeps going for three months or longer, and it is the most common reason Americans ask about medical cannabis ^[1]. Clinical guidelines and patient studies point to real but uneven help for some people; the evidence is mixed, and the answer depends on your pain, your medicines and your health history.

See if I qualify

Last updated October 9, 2026 · Medically reviewed by the Dr. Weedy medical team · Educational summary of published research, not medical advice

What Is Chronic Pain? Definition, Duration and Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts or keeps coming back for longer than three months, past the point where an injury or illness would normally have healed. Acute pain is an alarm: it tells you something is wrong right now and fades as the tissue repairs. Chronic pain is more like an alarm that stays switched on. The nerves, spinal cord and brain keep sending and amplifying pain signals even when the original cause is gone, or when there never was one clear cause.

It is far from rare. About 20.8% of U.S. adults lived with chronic pain in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, which works out to roughly 100 million Americans ^[1]. The usual care plan combines several tools at once: physical therapy and graded movement, sleep care, psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, and nerve-pain medicines when nerves are involved. Medical cannabis is one more option some patients discuss with their physician, usually after other treatments have not given enough relief.

How long does chronic pain last?

By definition, at least three months, and often much longer. A clinical practice guideline on cannabis and chronic pain notes that about half of people with chronic pain have lived with it for more than ten years ^[2]. Pain can also come in waves: weeks of flare-ups followed by calmer stretches. It can persist after healing because the nervous system has become more sensitive, a process doctors call central sensitization.

Chronic pain syndrome vs. a symptom

Chronic pain can be a symptom of a known disease, such as arthritis or a damaged nerve. Chronic pain syndrome describes something broader: long-lasting pain plus its ripple effects on sleep, mood, activity, work and relationships, where the pain itself has become the main problem to treat. The difference matters, because a syndrome is usually managed with a team approach rather than one medicine.

Who is at risk

Chronic pain is more common with age, after a serious injury or surgery, with physically demanding work, with long-term conditions such as arthritis, diabetes or cancer, and in people who already live with depression, anxiety or poor sleep. Chronic pain from an injury is common: a back strain, a fracture or a car accident can leave pain that outlasts the healing.

A short history of the idea

For most of medical history, pain was treated as a simple signal of damage. In the second half of the twentieth century, pain researchers showed that the nervous system can amplify or dampen that signal, and chronic pain came to be seen as a condition in its own right. Today it is understood through the biopsychosocial model: body, mind and life circumstances all shape how much pain hurts.

Check what kind of pain you have · All conditions

Chronic Pain ICD-10 Codes

ICD-10-CM is the code set U.S. physicians use to record diagnoses on medical records, insurance claims and, in many states, medical cannabis certifications. The general chronic pain code is G89.29, “other chronic pain,” and chronic pain syndrome has its own code, G89.4 ^[3]. For pain in a specific place, physicians usually pair a location code with G89.29 so the record shows both where it hurts and that the pain is chronic ^[3] ^[4].

Common ICD-10-CM codes used for chronic pain
Pain location	Code(s)	What the code means
Chronic pain, general	G89.29	Other chronic painUsed when pain is chronic and not better described by a more specific code.
Chronic pain syndrome	G89.4	Chronic pain syndromeLong-lasting pain with major effects on daily life, mood and function.
Fibromyalgia	M79.7	FibromyalgiaWidespread pain with fatigue and sleep problems.
Lower back	M54.50 G89.29	Low back pain, unspecified, plus other chronic painThe most searched pairing: “chronic back pain ICD-10.”
Neck	M54.2 G89.29	Cervicalgia (neck pain), plus other chronic pain
Abdomen	R10.9 G89.29	Unspecified abdominal pain, plus other chronic painA more specific abdominal code is used when the area is known.
Knee	M25.561 M25.562	Pain in right knee / pain in left kneeThere is no single code for both knees; pain in both knees is recorded with both codes.
Left hip	M25.552	Pain in left hip
Left ankle	M25.572	Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
Left leg	M79.605	Pain in left leg
After injury or surgery	G89.21 G89.28	Chronic pain due to trauma / other chronic postprocedural pain
Cancer-related	G89.3	Neoplasm related pain (acute or chronic)

Your physician assigns the code; this page does not diagnose. Codes follow the ICD-10-CM code set for fiscal year 2026 ^[3] ^[4].

How chronic pain spreads into sleep, energy and mood

How Chronic Pain Affects Sleep, Blood Pressure and Mood

Living with pain for months rarely stays “just pain.” It wakes you at night, the short sleep leaves you drained, exhaustion makes it harder to stay calm and hopeful, and worry and low mood make the next wave of pain feel louder. Doctors call this the chronic pain cycle, and many people recognize it long before anyone names it.

The chronic pain cycle

Pain
Poor sleep
Fatigue
Anxiety & low mood

and back to pain

Each link feeds the next. Pain breaks sleep into short pieces; poor sleep lowers the threshold at which the body registers pain; fatigue cuts the activity and movement that keep joints and muscles working; and stress hormones and worry keep the nervous system on high alert. Researchers who grouped adults with hard-to-treat chronic pain found that how people think about their pain, including “catastrophizing” (expecting the worst), clusters with their mental health ^[5].

The useful side of a cycle is that it can be loosened at more than one point. Better sleep, gentle movement, support for mood and, for some people, medicines including cannabinoids are all ways in. Which point to start from is worth discussing with a physician who sees the whole picture.

Can chronic pain cause high blood pressure?

Pain triggers the body’s stress response, which raises heart rate and blood pressure in the moment. When pain is constant, that response can stay switched on, and poor sleep adds to it. If your readings are high, they deserve their own check-up: blood pressure matters for heart health whatever the cause, and it also affects which pain medicines are safe for you.

Can chronic pain cause fatigue and brain fog?

Yes. Broken sleep, the effort of coping with pain all day and the side effects of some pain medicines can leave people exhausted and foggy. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of people with fibromyalgia and other widespread pain, and it is part of why daily tasks feel harder than they look from the outside.

Can chronic pain cause depression and anxiety?

Chronic pain and mood problems often travel together, and each can make the other worse. Feeling low, irritable or anxious when pain will not let up is a common, understandable reaction, not a personal weakness. It is also treatable, and treating mood often makes pain easier to live with.

Long-term effects on the body, including the gut

Over time, chronic pain can lead to less activity, weight changes, weaker muscles and social withdrawal. Some people notice digestive changes such as diarrhea or constipation, which can come from stress, from conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or from pain medicines themselves. New or lasting digestive symptoms should be checked rather than blamed on pain.

None of this means you are stuck. There are options worth discussing with a physician, and the sections below walk through them, starting with the kind of pain you have and when it is time to see a specialist.

When to talk to a specialist

Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a family of conditions rather than one diagnosis. Where it hurts and what drives it shape which treatments tend to help, including whether cannabinoids are worth a conversation. These are the types people ask about most.

Back pain

Chronic back pain is the most common type, often in the lower back, from disc problems such as a herniated disc, arthritis of the spine, scoliosis or old injuries. It often mixes muscle, joint and nerve pain.

What studies show
Neck and shoulders

Neck pain and pain between the shoulder blades often come from posture, worn joints in the neck or muscle tension. Pain that spreads down an arm can mean an irritated nerve root.

What studies show
Fibromyalgia and pain all over the body

Fibromyalgia brings widespread pain with fatigue, poor sleep and trouble concentrating. It is thought to involve how the nervous system processes pain, which is one reason the endocannabinoid system interests researchers.

Read about fibromyalgia and medical cannabis
Joints, knees and arthritis

Osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis cause aching, stiff joints, often in the knees, hips and hands. Inflammatory arthritis has been followed in patient registries of medical cannabis users ^[6].

Arthritis and medical cannabis
Nerve pain

Neuropathic pain comes from damaged nerves: after shingles, from diabetes, or after surgery when a nerve was injured. It burns, tingles or shoots, and standard pain relievers often help it less.

What studies show
After injury or surgery

Pain can outlast healing after a fracture, a car accident or an operation such as a joint replacement, hernia repair or vasectomy. Doctors call it chronic post-traumatic or postsurgical pain.

What studies show
Jaw pain

Chronic jaw pain often comes from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the chewing muscles, and is linked to clenching, grinding and stress. It can spread to the face, ear and temple.

Ways to cope beyond medicine
Cancer-related pain

Pain from a tumor, from surgery, or from chemotherapy and radiation needs care coordinated with the oncology team. It is covered in its own section, with prescription cannabinoid medicines kept apart from dispensary products.

Cannabis for cancer-related pain

When Is It Time to Talk to a Specialist?

Most chronic pain is managed in regular appointments, not in the emergency room. Some signs, though, mean the pain needs to be examined in person today, because they can point to a problem that has nothing to do with long-standing pain.

Get in-person or emergency care now if

pain comes with fever, chills or unexplained weight loss;
you notice new weakness, numbness in the groin or legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control;
pain started after a fall, an accident or a blow;
you have chest pain, shortness of breath or a sudden, severe headache;
you have a history of cancer and a new pain that does not go away.

Book a regular visit if

pain has lasted three months or more;
your current treatment no longer helps enough, or its side effects bother you;
pain is cutting into your sleep, work, mood or relationships;
you take opioids or sleep medicines and want to review them;
you want to know whether medical cannabis could fit your plan.

A good chronic pain plan puts the emphasis of care on function, not on a pain score of zero: sleeping better, walking farther, getting back to work or hobbies. It usually combines several approaches, is reviewed at regular visits, and changes one thing at a time so you can tell what actually helps. A pain specialist, a physical therapist and a mental health professional may each play a part, with your primary care physician coordinating.

An online appointment does not replace emergency care. If you have any of the warning signs above, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Talk to a licensed physician

How Cannabis Works in the Body

The science behind cannabis and your body

Your body makes its own cannabis-like molecules, called endocannabinoids. Together with the receptors they bind to and the enzymes that break them down, they form the endocannabinoid system, a signaling network that helps regulate pain, inflammation, sleep, mood and appetite. Two receptors matter most for pain. CB1 receptors sit mainly on nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, where they can turn down pain signals; they are also why THC can cause a “high.” CB2 receptors sit mostly on immune cells and are linked with inflammation.

The cannabis plant contains more than 500 chemical compounds ^[7], and about 180 different cannabinoids have been isolated from it ^[1]. Two are studied far more than the rest: THC and CBD. They act differently, so the effect or risk of one does not carry over to the other, and the ratio between them in a product changes how it feels.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

What it is: The main intoxicating cannabinoid; it acts on CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord.
Does it cause a high?: Yes, depending on the dose and the person.
What pain research looked at: THC-containing products and the prescription medicines dronabinol and nabilone, and oral sprays that combine THC and CBD (nabiximols).
Notes: Linked with dizziness, sleepiness and feeling high; it can add to the sedation of other medicines, and it affects driving.

CBD (cannabidiol)

What it is: A non-intoxicating cannabinoid that works through several targets beyond CB1 and CB2.
Does it cause a high?: No, though it can cause tiredness.
What pain research looked at: CBD-rich oils, combined THC and CBD products, and the prescription medicine Epidiolex (approved for seizures, not pain).
Notes: At high doses it can strain the liver and changes how some medicines are broken down; liver tests may be needed.

Lab research hints at why cannabinoids might ease pain without acting only in the brain. In animal studies, cannabinoids reduced inflammatory and nerve pain partly by acting on glycine receptors in the spinal cord ^[8]. In other animal studies, an experimental compound designed to work on CB1 receptors outside the brain eased pain at doses about 100 times lower than those that caused brain-related side effects ^[9]. These are findings in animals; they explain where science is looking, not what a product will do for you.

What studies in people show

Can Medical Cannabis Help Chronic Pain? What Studies Show

Pain is by far the main reason people use medical cannabis: in patient reports, pain accounts for 62.2% of the qualifying conditions people list ^[1]. The research behind it ranges from clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews to patient registries, surveys and animal work. The short version: there are signals of real benefit for some people with chronic pain, especially as part of a wider plan, and the results are mixed enough that no one can promise how you will respond.

Clinical effectiveness: what works and for which pain types

What research looked at, by pain type
Pain type	What kind of studies looked at it	What they found
Chronic pain in general	Clinical practice guideline built on a systematic review ^[2]; pharmacology-based systematic review and meta-analysis across medical uses ^[10]	The guideline gives clinicians a framework for using cannabis-based medicines in chronic pain and co-occurring conditions. The meta-analysis found mixed results: benefit for some outcomes and conditions, not for others.
Chronic non-cancer pain with opioid use	Narrative review ^[11]; cross-sectional survey of people on long-term opioids ^[12]	Cannabis use was linked with lower odds of taking opioids, and people who added cannabis reported greater pain relief. These are links seen at one point in time, not proof that cannabis caused the change.
Inflammatory arthritis	UK patient registry cohort, 82 patients, 2025 ^[6]	Patients reported improvements in pain-related outcomes after starting prescribed cannabis-based medicines. There was no comparison group.
Pain with sleep and quality-of-life problems	Cross-sectional study of patients using THC- and CBD-rich oil, 2026 ^[13]	Patients reported better quality of life and sleep. A single snapshot cannot show cause and effect.
Pain with anxiety or depression	Narrative review of THC and CBD medicines ^[14]	Reviewers describe THC and CBD medicines as promising for chronic pain alongside mental health conditions and flag drug interactions to watch.
Nerve and inflammatory pain mechanisms	Animal and lab studies ^[8]^[9]	In animal studies, cannabinoids eased nerve and inflammatory pain through several targets. These results have not been shown in people.
Older adults with chronic pain	Prospective cohort, 2026 ^[15]	This study looked at who intends to start medical cannabis, not at whether it works. Results are in the chart below.

What goes with feeling helped by pain treatment?

How to read it: each row compares two groups of people. The dot is the best estimate of how much more or less likely the first group was; the bar is the likely range (95% confidence interval). Right of the gray line means more likely, left means less likely. A hollow dot means the range touches the line, so there is no clear difference.

estimate likely range (95% CI) no difference

No difference

A. Satisfied with pain treatment (adults with chronic non-cancer pain and substance use, 2021) ^[16]

Using prescribed cannabis for pain 1.7× (1.0–2.7) · no clear difference ^[16]

Living with HIV 1.6× (1.0–2.7) · no clear difference ^[16]

Higher average pain over the past three months 0.9× (0.8–1.0) · no clear difference ^[16]

Screening positive for PTSD 0.6× less likely (0.3–0.9) ^[16]

Using tobacco 0.6× less likely (0.4–0.9) ^[16]

Stopped opioids in the past year 0.4× less likely (0.2–0.9) ^[16]

B. Intending to start medical cannabis (older adults with chronic pain, 2026) ^[15]

Better sleep quality 0.59× less likely (0.384–0.889) ^[15]

Each step more pain interference with daily life 1.13× more likely (1.001–1.283) ^[15]

¼× ½× 1× 2× 4×

← less likelymore likely →

People using prescribed cannabis for pain were satisfied with their pain treatment about as often as others or somewhat more; the range touches “no difference.” PTSD, tobacco use and recently stopped opioids went with lower satisfaction, and among older adults, more pain interference went with more interest in trying medical cannabis.

Show as a table

Effect estimates shown in the chart
Compared groups	Outcome	Odds ratio (95% CI)	Source
Using vs. not using prescribed cannabis for pain	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 1.7 (1.0–2.7)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Living vs. not living with HIV	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 1.6 (1.0–2.7)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Higher vs. lower average pain, past three months	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 0.9 (0.8–1.0)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Screening positive vs. negative for PTSD	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 0.6 (0.3–0.9)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Tobacco use vs. none	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 0.6 (0.4–0.9)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Stopped opioids in the past year vs. not	Satisfied with pain treatment	OR 0.4 (0.2–0.9)	Cross-sectional, 2021 ^[16]
Higher vs. lower sleep quality	Intends to start medical cannabis	OR 0.59 (0.384–0.889)	Prospective cohort, 2026 ^[15]
Each unit more pain interference	Intends to start medical cannabis	OR 1.13 (1.001–1.283)	Prospective cohort, 2026 ^[15]

What science doesn’t know yet · Cannabis vs. opioids

What Science Doesn’t Know Yet

The honest summary of cannabis research in chronic pain is that the data are mixed: some studies find meaningful benefit, others find little, and many cannot answer the question cleanly. Reviewers point to the same weak spots again and again ^[2].

Studies are hard to compare

Studies differ in who took part, which products and doses they used and how they were designed, so their results rarely add up neatly ^[2].
Few head-to-head comparisons

There is little data comparing cannabis directly with standard pain relievers, so “better or worse than my current medicine” usually has no firm answer ^[2].
Pain is self-reported

Pain scores come from patients themselves, and expectations shape them. Researchers have built questionnaires just to measure what people expect cannabis to do ^[17].
Short follow-up

Many studies last weeks or months, while chronic pain lasts years. Long-term benefit and long-term safety are much less known.

Another layer of noise comes from the internet. In one sample of cannabis posts on Twitter, 14.5% were generated by bots ^[18], and personal stories spread far faster than study results. Treat bold online claims with caution, and bring the ones that interest you to your physician.

What this means for you: medical cannabis is neither a proven cure nor a dead end for chronic pain. It is an option with uncertain, individual results, and the decision is best made with a physician who knows your history and can watch how you respond.

What you can do now, with or without cannabis

Cannabis vs. Opioids and Other Pain Treatments

Beyond the buzz: cannabis vs. traditional treatments

Many people start reading about cannabis because they are afraid of opioids or tired of pills that do not help enough. That concern is reasonable. It does not make cannabis a replacement for every pain medicine, and none of these options is right for everyone. Each treatment below has its place and its trade-offs.

Common chronic pain treatments at a glance
Treatment	Usually used for	Main concerns
Over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen)	Muscle, joint and back pain, flare-ups	Stomach, kidney and heart risks with NSAIDs; liver risk with high doses of acetaminophen
Opioids	Severe pain, cancer pain, short courses after surgery	Dependence, tolerance, constipation, sleepiness, risk of overdose, especially with alcohol or sedatives
Nerve-pain medicines (certain antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs)	Neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia	Dizziness, sleepiness, weight change; need gradual dose changes
Physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy	Most chronic pain, alongside other treatment	Take time and regular effort; access and cost vary
Medical cannabis	Chronic pain when other treatments are not enough	Mixed evidence; dizziness, sleepiness, feeling high; drug interactions; impaired driving

The opioid question comes up most often. A review of medical cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain describes a link between using cannabis and taking fewer prescription opioids, and an older survey of people on long-term opioids found that those who added cannabis reported greater pain relief ^[11]^[12]. Links like these come from observing people, not from controlled trials, so they cannot show that cannabis caused the change.

Side effects and drug interactions

Pain in cancer has several sources at once: the tumor pressing on nerves or bone, surgery, and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as nerve damage in the hands and feet. It often comes with nausea, poor appetite and trouble sleeping. That mix is why many people with cancer ask about cannabis, and why any decision has to fit around the cancer treatment itself.

Two very different things are called “cannabis” in cancer care. Prescription cannabinoid medicines are FDA-approved drugs your oncologist can prescribe. Dispensary products are what a state medical marijuana card lets you buy. They are regulated differently, dosed differently and should never be lumped together.

Prescription cannabinoid medicines (FDA-approved: dronabinol, nabilone)

What it is: Synthetic THC medicines with a fixed, labeled dose: dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) and nabilone (Cesamet), approved for chemotherapy-related nausea and, for dronabinol, appetite loss in AIDS.
Who prescribes: Your oncologist or another physician, through a regular pharmacy prescription.
What to tell your oncologist: Any other cannabis product you use, every medicine and supplement, and how your sleep, appetite and mood are doing.

Products from dispensaries with a medical card

What it is: Cannabis products sold by state-licensed dispensaries: flower, oils, tinctures, edibles, topicals, with varying THC and CBD content.
Who recommends: A physician licensed in your state certifies that you qualify; the product and dose are chosen within your state’s program.
What to tell your oncologist: That you hold or plan to get a card, which products you use, and when, so they can check timing around chemotherapy and other drugs.

Cannabinoids can change how the liver breaks down some medicines, including drugs used in cancer care ^[2]^[14]. That is the main reason to keep your oncology team in the loop rather than adding a product quietly.

Cancer and medical cannabis · Nausea and medical cannabis

Beyond Pain: How Cannabis Can Impact Co-Occurring Symptoms

Remember the chronic pain cycle: pain, poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety and low mood. People often judge a treatment by whether it loosens that whole loop, not just the pain score, and that is also how some studies measure it.

Sleep

In a 2026 study of patients treated with THC- and CBD-rich cannabis oil, people reported better sleep and quality of life ^[13]. Among older adults with chronic pain, those who already slept well were less interested in trying medical cannabis ^[15].

Insomnia · Is cannabis good or bad for sleep?

Anxiety

CBD is studied for anxiety, and reviewers see THC and CBD medicines as promising where pain and mental health conditions overlap ^[14]. The effect depends heavily on the dose and on the THC-to-CBD balance.

Anxiety and medical cannabis

Mood and trauma

In one study of people with chronic pain, those screening positive for PTSD were less satisfied with their pain treatment ^[16], a reminder that mood and trauma need care in their own right.

PTSD and medical cannabis

High doses of THC can work against you

More THC is not more relief. At higher doses THC can bring on anxiety, racing thoughts and poor sleep in some people, and regular heavy use can lead to dependence. If anxiety, depression or past substance use is part of your story, tell your physician before starting, not after.

Forms of Cannabis

Choosing your path: products and routes of administration

Medical cannabis is not the same thing as smoking. People swallow it, place drops under the tongue, rub it on the skin or wear it as a patch, and the form changes how fast it acts, how long it lasts and which risks apply. The risks of one form belong to that form: smoke irritates the throat and lungs, but an oil under the tongue does not. Other risks, such as the effects of THC, interactions with medicines and impaired driving, apply to every form.

Forms of cannabis and what each one changes
Form	Examples	How it acts	What it avoids	What still applies
Smoking	Joints, blunts, pipes, bongs	Inhaled smoke from burning plant material; starts sooner and wears off sooner than forms you swallow	The first pass through the liver	Smoke irritates the throat and lungs; THC effects, interactions, sedation, driving; shared joints and pipes spread infections
Vaping and dabbing	Dry-herb vaporizers, oil cartridges and pens, concentrates such as wax, shatter and rosin	Heated, not burned; a hot aerosol is inhaled	Smoke from burning	Hot aerosol travels the same airways and can cause coughing; concentrates are very strong; THC effects, interactions, driving; shared devices spread infections
Edibles, drinks and capsules	Gummies, chocolate, baked goods, beverages, capsules, oil taken by mouth	Swallowed; starts later and lasts longer than inhaled forms; passes through the liver before reaching the blood	Smoke and hot vapor; shared mouthpieces	Delayed onset makes taking a second serving a common cause of taking too much; liver processing, interactions, sedation, driving
Tinctures and sprays under the tongue	Tinctures and oils held under the tongue, oromucosal sprays	Partly absorbed through the lining of the mouth; whatever is swallowed goes through the liver	Smoke and hot vapor	THC effects, interactions, sedation, driving
Topicals and transdermal patches	Creams, balms and ointments; patches	Creams and balms act locally on the skin; patches deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream	Airways; creams also largely avoid whole-body effects	Patches reach the blood, so THC effects and interactions apply; skin irritation
Suppositories	Rectal or vaginal suppositories (rarely used)	Absorbed through the lining into the bloodstream	Airways	Very little research; THC effects and interactions apply
Prescription medicines, not dispensary products
Dronabinol	Marinol (capsules), Syndros (oral solution)	Synthetic THC, swallowed, fixed labeled dose	Product-to-product variation	Prescribed for specific uses; can cause heart palpitations, weakness and memory problems
Nabilone	Cesamet (capsules)	Synthetic THC-like medicine, swallowed	Product-to-product variation	Dizziness on standing, dry mouth, drowsiness, feeling high, headache
Cannabidiol	Epidiolex (oral solution)	Purified CBD, swallowed; approved for certain seizure disorders, not for pain	THC and its high	Liver injury at high doses, lower appetite, diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue

Quality is part of the choice too. Cannabis oils vary with how they are prepared, and lab work on pharmacy-made oils shows why standardized testing matters ^[20]. Products from state-licensed dispensaries come with lab results; it is worth reading them.

Dosing: start low, go slow

Dosing: Start Low, Go Slow

The “start low, go slow” principle: dosing guidelines

Clinicians who work with medical cannabis share one rule: begin with a small amount, raise it slowly, and stop at the lowest amount that helps. Bodies differ, products differ, and side effects such as dizziness and sleepiness rise with the dose, so the right amount for one person can be too much for another.

For a sense of scale, this is what studies used, not what you should take. One clinical protocol described in a 2025 review allowed up to 40 mg a day of CBD or THC, raised step by step ^[1]. Nabiximols, a mouth spray combining THC and CBD, delivers 2.7 mg of THC in each spray ^[1]. In a lab study with healthy volunteers, dronabinol was tested at 2.5 mg and 5 mg ^[19]. Your physician sets the starting point and the pace for you.

A pain diary to bring to your appointment

On a phone, scroll the table sideways.

Pain diary template
Date	Pain 0–10	Sleep	Product and form	Time taken	What changed	Side effects

Copy it into your notes app or print it. Two weeks of entries tell a physician more than any single visit.

Discuss dosing with a physician

Safety First: Side Effects and Drug Interactions

Most side effects of medical cannabis are the expected ones: dizziness, dry mouth and sleepiness are common across products. Feeling “high” is a side effect too, not a goal of treatment; a clinical guideline estimates that for every 8 people treated with cannabinoids, one more feels euphoric than with placebo ^[2]. Less often, people report a fast heartbeat, dizziness on standing, nausea or confusion, and some feel more anxious rather than less.

Three layers of risk

Smoke and vapor

Smoking and vaping send smoke or hot aerosol through the throat and lungs, which can cause coughing and irritation. This layer disappears with forms you do not inhale.

Any form

THC affects attention, balance and reaction time. Any form can add to the sedation of other medicines, change how the liver handles drugs and impair driving.

Shared devices

Sharing a joint, pipe or vape passes saliva, and with it colds, flu and other infections. Your own device and mouthpiece remove this layer.

Navigating drug interactions

Cannabinoids are broken down by the same liver enzymes as many medicines. THC slows the enzymes known as CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, and CBD slows CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 ^[2]. In plain terms, cannabis can raise or lower the level of another drug in your blood, and other drugs can do the same to THC and CBD ^[14]. Check what applies to you:

High · Opioid pain medicine

Cannabis and opioids both slow the nervous system, so their sedation adds up ^[2]. In a controlled study of 10 healthy volunteers, dronabinol added to oxycodone reduced pain relief and increased sedation ^[19]. On the other side, people with chronic pain on opioids who also used cannabis reported greater pain relief in a survey ^[12]. Any change in opioid doses belongs with your prescriber.
High · Benzodiazepines or sleep pills

Combined with cannabis, benzodiazepines and other sedatives add to drowsiness and to impaired coordination and motor skills ^[14]^[2]. This raises the risk of falls and accidents, especially at night and in older adults.
High · Alcohol

Alcohol and cannabis together deepen sedation ^[2], and mixing cannabis with alcohol and other drugs is linked with severe intoxication ^[21]. Never combine them before driving.
Moderate · Birth control pill or estrogen

A review of THC and CBD medicines warns that cannabinoids may make estrogen-based medicines, including the combined pill, less effective ^[14]. Ask whether you need a backup method of birth control.
Moderate · Other prescription medicines

Many medicines share the CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 liver enzymes with THC and CBD ^[2], and medicines that block or speed up these enzymes change how much THC and CBD reach your blood ^[14]. Blood thinners, seizure medicines and some heart and mental health drugs are among the medicines worth reviewing with your physician or pharmacist.

Who should take extra care

Who Should Take Extra Care

For some people, the risks of cannabis weigh more than for others. Guidelines and reviews name the same groups ^[2]^[14]. Being in one of them does not always rule cannabis out, but it does mean the decision needs a physician’s careful look.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

THC passes to the baby during pregnancy and into breast milk. Cannabis is generally avoided in this period; talk to your obstetrician about safer pain options.

Teens and young adults

The developing brain is more sensitive to THC. Guidelines advise avoiding cannabis in children and youth, apart from specific prescription medicines.

Older adults

Dizziness and sedation raise the risk of falls, and older adults often take several medicines that can interact. Starting low and going slow matters even more.

Heart disease

THC can raise heart rate and change blood pressure. People with heart disease or a history of heart attack or stroke need extra caution.

Psychotic disorders and substance use

A personal or family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, or a current substance use disorder, is a reason to avoid THC or to proceed only under close supervision.

High-dose CBD and the liver

High doses of CBD can raise liver enzymes, so liver blood tests may be needed, especially if you also take medicines that load the liver.

Ways to cope with chronic pain beyond cannabis

Coping With Chronic Pain: Not Only Cannabis

No single treatment carries a chronic pain plan. The people who do best usually stack several modest helps on top of each other, and most of them do not need a prescription. If cannabis becomes part of your plan, it works alongside these, not instead of them.

Making informed choices: practical recommendations for patients

Movement and physical therapy

Gentle, regular movement keeps joints and muscles working and calms an oversensitive nervous system. A physical therapist can build a graded plan that starts below your flare-up threshold and grows slowly. Structured multimodal rehabilitation, which combines exercise, education and psychological support, is an active research area: a 2026 study followed the physical changes of people with chronic pain through such a program ^[22].

Sleep

Regular sleep and wake times, a cool and dark bedroom, and less screen time and caffeine late in the day help break the pain–sleep loop. Ask about treatment if you snore heavily or wake unrefreshed despite enough hours in bed.

CBT and mind-body approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance-based approaches teach skills for living well alongside pain: pacing activity, noticing “worst-case” thinking and returning to what matters to you. Relaxation, breathing exercises, mindfulness, yoga and tai chi work on the same stress response that turns pain up.

Massage therapy

Massage can ease muscle tension and help many people feel better for a while, particularly with back, neck and shoulder pain. It works best as one part of a plan that also includes movement.

EMDR and trauma-focused care

When chronic pain began with an accident, an assault or another traumatic event, trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) are sometimes used alongside pain care. Ask a licensed mental health professional whether a pain-focused EMDR protocol fits your situation.

Questions to ask your physician

Which of my current medicines could interact with THC or CBD?
Which form fits my pain and my daily routine, and which should I avoid?
Where should I start, how slowly should I adjust, and when should we review?
What change would tell us it is working, and what would tell us to stop?
How does cannabis fit with my physical therapy, sleep and mood treatment?
What are the rules for driving, work and travel in my state?

Cannabis and back pain · Get the pain diary

Does Chronic Pain Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card?

In many states with a medical marijuana program it does in some form, but the wording differs. One state lists “chronic pain,” another “severe” or “intractable pain,” another names the conditions that cause it, and some leave it to the physician’s judgment. In every case, a physician licensed in your state reviews your history and decides whether you meet the state’s definition. Rules really do shape access: a 2026 policy analysis of the Texas Compassionate Use Program looked at how one state’s design limits who can qualify ^[23].

Is pain on your state’s list?

Check the exact wording your state uses and whether it requires a specific diagnosis, a minimum duration or proof that other treatments were tried.

Medical cannabis laws by state

The state registry and your card

After a physician certifies you, most states ask you to register with their program to receive the card, and many let a registered caregiver buy for a patient who cannot. Cards are valid for a set period and then renewed.

How the medical card evaluation works

Where you can buy

Medical products are sold through state-licensed dispensaries. Your state’s program lists licensed businesses, and the dispensary staff can show lab results for each product.

Example: a chronic pain card in Ohio

Traveling with your card

Some states accept out-of-state cards (reciprocity), many do not, and crossing state lines with cannabis is a federal matter. Check both states before you travel.

Traveling with medical marijuana

Get your medical card in your state

How to Get a Medical Card for Chronic Pain Online

The whole path happens online, with no clinic to drive to and no waiting room. You meet one-on-one with a physician who holds a license in your state, and the recommendation you receive is what your state program asks for.

Right on this page

Check if you qualify

Answer a few questions about your pain and your health in the check above. It tells you what your situation looks like and what to bring to the appointment.
Application about 5 minutes · appointment about 15 minutes

Apply and meet a physician licensed in your state

Fill in a short application, then talk through your pain, treatments and medicines. You agree on the appointment time with the physician; keep an hour free around it rather than a single minute.
Usually within 24–48 hours after the appointment

Get your recommendation

If the physician finds that you qualify, you receive a signed recommendation or certification for your state’s program.
Timeline set by your state

Register with your state

Use the recommendation to register with your state’s medical program, which issues the card. Processing times are set by the state, not by us.

What to have ready

Have a photo ID and proof that you live in the state at hand. Medical records about your pain (imaging, specialist notes, a list of treatments you have tried) are helpful but not required for the appointment. A current list of medicines and supplements and a couple of weeks of your pain diary make the conversation faster and more useful.

After you apply

You receive a confirmation email, then meet the physician at the agreed time, then get your document if you qualify. Everything you need afterward lives in your account. Already a patient? Log in to your account to see your appointment and documents.

Renewing your card

Medical cards expire, and the length depends on your state. Start your renewal a few weeks before the expiration date so there is no gap. The renewal appointment is a check-in: what you use, what changed, what side effects you noticed. Your pain diary is the best thing to bring. Existing patients can start from their account.

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Across 250 reviews from patients in the states where we are licensed. We do not sort them by score and do not hide the low ones.

150,000+patients evaluated — everyone who has been through an appointment with us, in every state where we are licensed
Since 2017doing only this: online evaluations for medical cannabis programs, and nothing else on the side

Book your appointment See if I qualify

Legal Questions: Firearms, Work, Privacy and Driving

A medical card protects you under your state’s law. Federal law and private employers follow their own rules, so it helps to know where the lines are before you apply.

Firearms

Federal law bars people who unlawfully use a controlled substance from buying or possessing firearms, and federal law still treats marijuana as a controlled substance even where states allow medical use ^[24]. If you own or plan to buy a firearm, review this before applying.

Example: guns and a medical card in Ohio
Work and drug tests

Protection for medical patients at work varies by state. Some states limit discrimination against cardholders; employers can still ban impairment on the job, and federal and safety-sensitive jobs follow federal testing rules.
Privacy

Your appointment and medical records are protected health information under HIPAA. State patient registries are confidential and available only to authorized parties, such as program staff and, for verification, law enforcement and licensed dispensaries.
Driving

Driving under the influence of THC is illegal in every state, whether or not you have a card. A card is not a defense for impaired driving.

Medical cannabis laws and regulations

The Horizon of Cannabis Medicine

Innovations and research to watch

Pain relief without the high

Chemists are designing cannabinoid compounds that act on CB1 receptors outside the brain. In animal studies, one such compound eased pain while largely staying out of the brain, with a wide gap between pain-relieving and side-effect doses ^[9]. It has not been tested in people.
Studies now underway

A long-term cohort study is following adults with chronic pain to see whether medical cannabis changes opioid use ^[25]. A multisite randomized trial is testing an integrated behavioral treatment for 160 veterans living with both chronic pain and opioid use disorder ^[26]. Their results are not out yet.
Research in older adults

Less is known about how medical marijuana affects older adults, who often take several medicines at once. A new prospective study will track real-time and long-term effects of medical marijuana in this age group ^[27].

Today none of this changes your treatment: these are directions of research, not new options at the dispensary. It is a good reason to revisit the question with your physician every year or so.

Key takeaways

Chronic pain is pain lasting three months or more. It affects about one in five U.S. adults ^[1] and often pulls sleep, energy and mood into a cycle.
Research on medical cannabis for chronic pain shows signals of benefit for some people and mixed results overall; links with lower opioid use are associations, not proof ^[11].
Smoke and vapor: inhaled forms add throat and lung irritation; forms you swallow, place under the tongue or apply to the skin avoid that layer.
Any form: THC affects driving, adds to the sedation of opioids, sleep medicines and alcohol, and shares liver enzymes with many medicines ^[2].
Pregnancy, youth, heart disease, psychotic disorders and many medicines at once call for extra caution.
The decision is made with a physician: start low, go slow, keep a pain diary and review the plan together.

See if I qualify

Chronic Pain and Medical Cannabis: FAQ

How long does chronic pain last?

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than three months, and for many people it lasts years: a clinical guideline notes that about half of people with chronic pain have had it for more than ten years ^[2]. It often comes in flare-ups and calmer periods, and a good plan aims to improve daily function even when some pain remains.

What is the ICD-10 code for chronic pain?

The general code is G89.29 (other chronic pain), and chronic pain syndrome is G89.4 ^[3]. For pain in a specific place, physicians pair a location code with G89.29: for chronic back pain, M54.50 plus G89.29; for chronic neck pain, M54.2 plus G89.29 ^[3] ^[4]. See the full table of codes. Your physician assigns the code.

Can chronic pain cause high blood pressure or fatigue?

It can contribute to both. Pain switches on the body’s stress response, which raises heart rate and blood pressure, and broken sleep and constant coping leave many people exhausted. High readings still deserve their own check-up, because blood pressure affects which pain medicines are safe for you. More in how chronic pain affects sleep, blood pressure and mood.

Does chronic pain qualify for a medical marijuana card?

In many states it does, under names such as chronic, severe or intractable pain, but the rules differ. A physician licensed in your state reviews your history and decides whether you meet your state’s definition. Start with the check on this page, or read the laws in your state.

Can I use cannabis with opioids?

Only with your prescriber’s knowledge. Cannabis and opioids add to each other’s sedation ^[2], and in a small controlled study, adding dronabinol to oxycodone gave less pain relief and more sedation ^[19]. Some people on long-term opioids report more relief when they add cannabis ^[12], which is why the combination is worth discussing rather than trying on your own. Never change an opioid dose without your physician.

Is medical cannabis addictive?

It can be. Dependence can develop with regular, heavy use, particularly of high-THC products, and guidelines advise caution about addiction. Using the lowest amount that helps, keeping track in a pain diary and reviewing the plan with your physician lower that risk.

Can I drive after using medical cannabis?

No, not while you may be impaired. THC slows reaction time and judgment, and driving under its influence is illegal in every state, card or no card. How long the effect lasts depends on the form and dose: swallowed forms last longer than inhaled ones. Ask your physician how long to wait in your case, and do not drive at all while you are finding your dose.

What’s the difference between THC and CBD?

THC is the main intoxicating cannabinoid: it acts on CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord and causes the “high.” CBD does not cause a high and acts through several other targets. Their effects and risks are different, so what is true of one does not carry over to the other. See how cannabis works in the body.

Is “Medical Marijuana” legal everywhere?

No. Whether medical marijuana is legal, which conditions qualify and how much you may buy depend on your state, and federal law treats it differently from state law. Check the laws and regulations for your state.

How long does it take for cannabis to work for pain?

It depends on the form. Inhaled forms act soonest, tinctures and sprays under the tongue somewhat later, and edibles and capsules latest, but they also last longest. That slow start is why taking a second serving too soon is a common mistake. See forms of cannabis.

Can cannabis replace my current pain medications?

Some patients report using cannabis to reduce other pain medicines, and cannabis use has been linked with lower odds of opioid use ^[11]. That link does not prove cannabis can replace a medicine for you. Stopping or lowering any medicine, especially opioids, should only happen under medical supervision because of interactions and withdrawal.

What are the most common side effects?

Dizziness, dry mouth and sleepiness are the most common, along with feeling high; for every 8 people treated with cannabinoids, one more feels euphoric than with placebo ^[2]. In a registry of patients with inflammatory arthritis, 25.61% recorded at least one side effect, and most events were mild or moderate ^[6]. See safety and drug interactions.

Are there specific strains for specific pain types?

Patients have preferences, but scientific evidence for matching strains to pain types is limited: products vary widely, and studies rarely use the same ones. The THC-to-CBD balance and the dose say more about a product than its strain name.

How do I find a doctor who prescribes medical cannabis?

Physicians do not write prescriptions for dispensary cannabis; they issue a recommendation or certification under your state’s program, and they must hold a license in your state. You can ask your primary care physician, or use telemedicine: an online appointment with a state-licensed physician is legal for medical cannabis evaluations in many states, and it is how we work. Choose your state to start.

What about long-term use?

Long-term safety and benefit are less known, because many studies follow people for weeks or months. That is why regular check-ins with a physician, a pain diary and periodic liver tests with high-dose CBD make sense. See what science doesn’t know yet.

Can cannabis affect other medications I take?

Yes. THC and CBD use the same liver enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and others) as many medicines ^[2], and they add to the sedation of opioids, benzodiazepines and alcohol ^[14]. Bring a full list of your medicines and supplements to your appointment, and try the interaction check on this page.

Is topical CBD effective for pain?

Creams and balms act mainly where they are applied and largely avoid whole-body effects, and some people find them helpful for local pain. Strong clinical trials are still lacking. Transdermal patches are different: they deliver cannabinoids into the blood, so interactions apply.

What is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)?

CHS is an uncommon but severe condition with repeated bouts of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain in people who use cannabis heavily over a long time. It usually improves after stopping cannabis. Tell your physician if you develop repeated vomiting while using cannabis.

How are Delta-8 THC and store-bought CBD different from medical cannabis?

Delta-8 THC and many CBD products are made from hemp and sold outside state medical programs, in shops and online, without a card. Federal and state rules for them keep changing, and they are not tested and labeled to the standards of state medical programs. Delta-8 is intoxicating, much like regular THC. Medical products from licensed dispensaries come with lab results and a physician in the loop.

What should I do if I lose my medical card?

Contact your state’s medical cannabis program to request a replacement; most programs let you do it through their online patient portal. Your physician’s recommendation stays on file, and you can see your documents in your account.

Is my card valid in other states?

Sometimes. Some states accept out-of-state medical cards or offer temporary visitor registration, while many do not, and carrying cannabis across state lines is not allowed under federal law. Check the rules of the state you are visiting before you go. More in traveling with medical marijuana.

Which dispensary should I choose?

Choose a dispensary licensed by your state’s medical program; the program publishes the list. Look for clear lab results on every product, staff who ask about your medicines and goals rather than pushing the strongest product, and a range of non-inhaled forms if your physician suggested one.

Other Conditions Medical Cannabis Is Used For

Chronic pain rarely comes alone, and many of the conditions it travels with have their own pages: what they are, what research shows and how they fit state programs.

Pain and muscles3

Brain and nervous system4

Cancer and treatment side effects3

Other3

References

27 sources

1. Cortez-Resendiz A, Leiter TJ, Riela SM, et al. The Pharmacology of Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids · 2025 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1159/000543813 PMID: 40046175
2. Bell AD, MacCallum C, Margolese S, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cannabis and Cannabinoid-Based Medicines in the Management of Chronic Pain and Co-Occurring Conditions. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · 2024 · systematic_review DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0156 PMID: 36971587
3. National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICD-10-CM: International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification. 2026.
4. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ICD-10 Codes: 2026 ICD-10-CM. 2026.
5. Slawek DE, Syed M, Cunningham CO, et al. Pain catastrophizing and mental health phenotypes in adults with refractory chronic pain: A latent class analysis. J Psychiatr Res · 2022 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.001 PMID: 34890916
6. Francis A, Erridge S, Holvey C, et al. Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis: analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Int Clin Psychopharmacol · 2025 · cohort DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000556 PMID: 38976497
7. de Brito Siqueira ALG, Cremasco PVV, Bahú JO, et al. Phytocannabinoids: Pharmacological effects, biomedical applications, and worldwide prospection. J Tradit Complement Med · 2023 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.08.006 PMID: 38020546
8. Xiong W, Cui T, Cheng K, et al. Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. J Exp Med · 2012 · preclinical DOI: 10.1084/jem.20120242 PMID: 22585736
9. Rangari VA, O’Brien ES, Powers AS, et al. A cryptic pocket in CB1 drives peripheral and functional selectivity. Nature · 2025 · preclinical DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08618-7 PMID: 40044849
10. Bilbao A, Spanagel R Medical cannabinoids: a pharmacology-based systematic review and meta-analysis for all relevant medical indications. BMC Med · 2022 · meta_analysis DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02459-1 PMID: 35982439
11. Hameed M, Prasad S, Jain E, et al. Medical Cannabis for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management. Curr Pain Headache Rep · 2023 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01101-w PMID: 36897501
12. Degenhardt L, Lintzeris N, Campbell G, et al. Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study. Drug Alcohol Depend · 2015 · cross_sectional DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.031 PMID: 25533893
13. Figueiredo JFLM, de Almeida Soares C, de Oliveira DA, et al. Real-world quality of life and sleep outcomes in patients treated with THC- and CBD-rich Cannabis oil: a cross-sectional study. Front Pharmacol · 2026 · cross_sectional DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1862725 PMID: 42558508
14. Henson JD, Vitetta L, Hall S Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol medicines for chronic pain and mental health conditions. Inflammopharmacology · 2022 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01020-z PMID: 35796920
15. LaMontagne LG, Fillingim RB, Lopez-Quintero C, et al. Baseline Factors Associated with Intention to Initiate Medical Cannabis among Older Adults with Chronic Pain in a Prospective Cohort. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids · 2026 · cohort DOI: 10.1159/000552277 PMID: 42553949
16. Suen LW, McMahan VM, Rowe C, et al. Factors Associated with Pain Treatment Satisfaction Among Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain and Substance Use. J Am Board Fam Med · 2021 · cross_sectional DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.06.210214 PMID: 34772764
17. Weiss JH, Tervo-Clemmens B, Potter KW, et al. The Cannabis Effects Expectancy Questionnaire-Medical (CEEQ-M): Preliminary psychometric properties and longitudinal validation within a clinical trial. Psychol Assess · 2023 · rct DOI: 10.1037/pas0001244 PMID: 37289502
18. Khademi S, Hallinan CM, Conway M, et al. Using Social Media Data to Investigate Public Perceptions of Cannabis as a Medicine: Narrative Review. J Med Internet Res · 2023 · narrative_review DOI: 10.2196/36667 PMID: 36848191
19. Babalonis S, Lofwall MR, Sloan PA, et al. Cannabinoid modulation of opioid analgesia and subjective drug effects in healthy humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) · 2019 · crossover_rct DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05293-1 PMID: 31201479
20. Franzin M, Ruoso R, Del Savio R, et al. Quantification of 7 cannabinoids in cannabis oil using GC-MS: Method development, validation and application to therapeutic preparations in Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Italy. Heliyon · 2023 · in_vitro DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15479 PMID: 37151683
21. Jg R, R B, W H How can we facilitate research on the risks and potential benefits of novel psychoactive substances? EClinicalMedicine · 2026 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104030 PMID: 42376492
22. Meinzer M, Bassler M, Kessemeier F, et al. Physiological Adaptations and Serum-Based Biomarker Dynamics During Multimodal Rehabilitation in Chronic Pain: Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study. Biomolecules · 2026 · cohort DOI: 10.3390/biom16060841 PMID: 42352308
23. Gonzalez K Policy Analysis of The Texas Compassionate Use Program. Subst Use Misuse · 2026 · narrative_review DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2026.2701928 PMID: 42530572
24. Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives. 18 U.S.C. § 922: Unlawful acts. 2026.
25. Cunningham CO, Starrels JL, Zhang C, et al. Medical Marijuana and Opioids (MEMO) Study: protocol of a longitudinal cohort study to examine if medical cannabis reduces opioid use among adults with chronic pain. BMJ Open · 2020 · cohort DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043400 PMID: 33376181
26. Vowles KE, Witkiewitz K, Clarke E, et al. Rationale and design of a multisite randomized clinical trial examining an integrated behavioral treatment for veterans with co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder: The pain and opioids integrated treatment in veterans (POSITIVE) trial. Contemp Clin Trials · 2023 · rct DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107096 PMID: 36693589
27. Robinson KR, Seeger SD, Nave L, et al. Real-Time and Long-Term Effects of Medical Marijuana on Older Adults: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study. JMIR Res Protoc · 2026 · cohort DOI: 10.2196/78900 PMID: 41875420

Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain: What Research Shows

What Is Chronic Pain? Definition, Duration and Chronic Pain Syndrome

How long does chronic pain last?

Chronic pain syndrome vs. a symptom

Who is at risk

A short history of the idea

Chronic Pain ICD-10 Codes

How Chronic Pain Affects Sleep, Blood Pressure and Mood

Can chronic pain cause high blood pressure?

Can chronic pain cause fatigue and brain fog?

Can chronic pain cause depression and anxiety?

Long-term effects on the body, including the gut

Types of Chronic Pain

Could medical cannabis fit your chronic pain?

When Is It Time to Talk to a Specialist?

Get in-person or emergency care now if

Book a regular visit if

How Cannabis Works in the Body

The science behind cannabis and your body

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

CBD (cannabidiol)

Can Medical Cannabis Help Chronic Pain? What Studies Show

Clinical effectiveness: what works and for which pain types

What Science Doesn’t Know Yet

Cannabis vs. Opioids and Other Pain Treatments

Beyond the buzz: cannabis vs. traditional treatments

Cannabis for Cancer-Related Pain

Prescription cannabinoid medicines (FDA-approved: dronabinol, nabilone)

Products from dispensaries with a medical card

Beyond Pain: How Cannabis Can Impact Co-Occurring Symptoms

Sleep

Anxiety

Mood and trauma

High doses of THC can work against you

Forms of Cannabis

Choosing your path: products and routes of administration

Dosing: Start Low, Go Slow

The “start low, go slow” principle: dosing guidelines

Safety First: Side Effects and Drug Interactions

Three layers of risk

Smoke and vapor

Any form

Shared devices

Navigating drug interactions

Who Should Take Extra Care

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Teens and young adults

Older adults

Heart disease

Psychotic disorders and substance use

High-dose CBD and the liver

Coping With Chronic Pain: Not Only Cannabis

Making informed choices: practical recommendations for patients

Movement and physical therapy

Sleep

CBT and mind-body approaches

Massage therapy

EMDR and trauma-focused care

Does Chronic Pain Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card?

Is pain on your state’s list?

The state registry and your card

Where you can buy

Traveling with your card

How to Get a Medical Card for Chronic Pain Online

Check if you qualify

Apply and meet a physician licensed in your state

Get your recommendation

Register with your state

What to have ready

After you apply

Renewing your card

Legal Questions: Firearms, Work, Privacy and Driving

The Horizon of Cannabis Medicine

Innovations and research to watch

Chronic Pain and Medical Cannabis: FAQ

Other Conditions Medical Cannabis Is Used For

Share your experience

How else can we help you?

Share Your Story with the Dr. Weedy Community

References