The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise.

Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(26)00015-5/fulltext

Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm


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[–] [S] 9 points 7 months ago

Declaration of interests

WH and MG have received consultation fees from WHO. WH has received payment for expert testimony on the risks of cannabis use. MG is an appropriate member of the Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group, Australian Department of Health, Ageing and Disability. MG has received funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for independent evidence reviews on medicinal cannabis. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgments

JW and ES are supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) investigator grant awarded to ES (GNT2017346). MG is supported by a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship (GNT2030765) and Monash Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship. JL, MT, and GC are supported by NHMRC investigator grants. TPF was funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/Y017560/1).

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