Five Facts about medicinal cannabis and chronic disease
pharmafile.com | November 4, 2026 | Feature | Medical Communications |Â Â Chronic Diseases, Five Facts, Pain, Smoking Cessation, chronic disease, medicinal cannabisÂ
1
Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than three months. It can arise from an underlying condition or exist as a condition in its own right. In England, 26% of adults reported chronic pain in the 2024 Health Survey for England, with 13% experiencing high-impact chronic pain that substantially affects daily life. [1]
2
Cannabis contains more than 100 cannabinoids, of which THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the best studied. THC is responsible for the plant’s intoxicating effects, while CBD does not produce the same high. Their different pharmacological properties mean that evidence for one compound or formulation cannot automatically be applied to another. [2]
3
Research suggests cannabis-based medicines may provide some pain relief for certain patients, particularly those with neuropathic pain, but the benefits are generally modest and must be weighed against adverse effects. A 2026 Cochrane review found that 39% of participants taking cannabis-based medicines achieved at least 30% pain relief, compared with 33% receiving placebo. Nervous system adverse events were also more common among those receiving cannabis-based medicines. [3]
4
Cannabis-based medicines can legally be prescribed by specialist doctors in the UK, following a change in regulations in November 2018. However, NHS prescribing remains limited, principally to certain forms of severe epilepsy, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis-related spasticity. NICE does not recommend cannabis-based medicines for routine management of chronic pain, citing insufficient evidence of benefit relative to risks and costs. [4]
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Research continues into the potential role of cannabinoids in chronic pain and other long-term conditions. Priorities include identifying which patients might benefit, establishing effective doses and formulations, understanding long-term safety and determining whether treatment can improve quality of life or reduce reliance on other medicines. Larger, longer-term clinical trials will be essential if promising findings are to translate into routine clinical practice. [5]
References:
[2] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[4] https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144/chapter/Recommendations
[5] McDonagh MS et al. (2025). Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain: 2025 Update. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
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