Children and Youth Who Use Cannabis for Pain Relief: Benefits, Risks, and Perceptions

Julia J Woo; Emma A van Reekum; Tea Rosic; Zainab Samaan

doi:10.2147/AHMT.S254264

Children and Youth Who Use Cannabis for Pain Relief: Benefits, Risks, and Perceptions

Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2020 May 21:11:53-61. doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S254264. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Julia J Woo¹, Emma A van Reekum², Tea Rosic³, Zainab Samaan³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² Faculty of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Abstract

We provide up-to-date perspectives on the benefits and risks of medical cannabis for pain management in children and youth. To date, only two studies (a case report and a small observational study) have examined the effects of medical cannabis on pain in children and youth. No controlled trial has commented on long-term safety of medical cannabis. Findings from the recreational cannabis literature reveal significant potential short- and long-term risks of regular cannabis use, including impaired driving, depression, suicidality, psychosis, and tolerance. Despite this, many children and youth are self-medicating with cannabis, and perceive regular cannabis use to be safe. There is a need for better education and counselling of patients regarding the benefits and risks of medical cannabis use.

Keywords: CBD; THC; adolescents; marijuana; pediatrics.