Conditions

Pain lasting more than three months. The single indication with the strongest evidence base for cannabis in adults.

Pain from nerve damage — burning, shooting, or electric in quality. Covered by the chronic pain finding.

Joint pain and inflammation. Covered by the chronic pain finding.

Persistent back pain. Covered by the chronic pain finding once it is chronic.

Pain associated with cancer or its treatment. Covered by chronic pain; cannabis does not treat cancer.

Widespread pain with fatigue and sleep disruption. Covered indirectly by the chronic pain and sleep findings.

Involuntary muscle contraction. Evidence is strongest in MS spasticity; weaker for spasms from other causes.

Inflammatory processes. Mechanistically plausible via CB2, but not clinically established in humans.

Recurrent severe headache. Insufficient evidence specifically for migraine, despite widespread claims.

Painful periods. No condition-specific evidence; covered loosely by chronic pain.

Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. One of three indications with substantial evidence, and the basis for two FDA-approved medicines.

Loss of appetite and weight in HIV/AIDS. Limited evidence, and the basis for one of dronabinol's FDA indications.

Nausea not caused by chemotherapy. The strong evidence is specific to chemotherapy — this is weaker ground.

Digestive conditions with pain and disrupted bowel function. Symptom relief may help; disease activity does not appear to change.

Muscle stiffness and spasm in multiple sclerosis. Substantial evidence for patient-reported improvement; weaker for clinician-measured.

Prescription CBD has strong RCT evidence in three specific syndromes. Dispensary products do not.

Tic disorder. Limited evidence for THC capsules.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. No supporting evidence, and acute cannabis use impairs attention.

Movement disorder. NASEM found no or insufficient evidence.

NASEM found limited evidence that cannabinoids are INEFFECTIVE for dementia symptoms.

Difficulty falling or staying asleep. Moderate evidence — but only for sleep disturbance tied to specific underlying conditions.

Anxiety in social or performance situations. Limited evidence for CBD specifically — and THC often makes anxiety worse.

Post-traumatic stress disorder. Limited evidence resting on a single small trial — and a qualifying condition in many state medical programs regardless.

Persistent anxiety not tied to social situations. Insufficient evidence, and THC can make it worse.

Persistent low mood. NASEM found limited evidence that cannabinoids are INEFFECTIVE for depression in chronic pain and MS.

Raised intraocular pressure. NASEM found limited evidence that cannabinoids are INEFFECTIVE.