Clinical Approaches to Cannabis: A Narrative Review

Med Clin North Am. 2022 Jan;106(1):131-152. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.004.

Abstract

Cannabis use in the United States is growing at an unprecedented pace. Most states in the United States have legalized medical cannabis use, and many have legalized nonmedical cannabis use. In this setting, health care professionals will increasingly see more patients who have questions about cannabis use, its utility for medical conditions, and the risks of its use. This narrative review provides an overview of the background, pharmacology, therapeutic use, and potential complications of cannabis.

Keywords: Cannabis; Endocannabinoid system; Marijuana; Medical cannabis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cachexia / drug therapy
  • Cannabis / adverse effects*
  • Endocannabinoids / chemistry
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Legislation, Drug / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Medical Marijuana / adverse effects
  • Medical Marijuana / pharmacokinetics
  • Medical Marijuana / pharmacology
  • Medical Marijuana / therapeutic use*
  • Nausea / drug therapy
  • Neurobiology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Somatoform Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Spasm / drug therapy
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / drug therapy
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Endocannabinoids
  • Medical Marijuana