Cannabis: A Viable Treatment For Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes both pain and the gradual decline in how easy joints move. As things currently stand, there are few effective treatment options for those suffering from osteoarthritis. Drugs are largely unable to control the diseases progression, and current pain treatments often fail to get the desired results, or come with considerable side effects.


A recent research paper published in the European Journal of Neuroscience has outlined how the use of cannabinoids (the active components in marijuana) can offer significant therapeutic qualities in the preclinical testing of osteoarthritis. The research found that the endocannabinoid system within our body appears to be ideal for treating pain, inflammation and joint function, making cannabis a potentially ideal treatment. In their words “The ubiquitous distribution of cannabinoid receptors, together with the physiological role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of pain, inflammation and even joint function further support the therapeutic interest of cannabinoids for osteoarthritis. This review summarizes the promising results that have been recently obtained in support of the therapeutic value of cannabinoids for osteoarthritis management.”


It is worth noting, this is all pre-clinical, meaning that it has yet to be tested in a scientific setting on humans suffering from osteoarthritis. However, anecdotal reports have long suggested cannabis is a treatment of choice for arthritis. What it means is that we should hopefully see a shift from pre-clinical to clinical trailing soon, of which the results will further back the call for ending cannabis prohibition. It is research like this that helps put marijuana in the hands of those who need it, and stop the persecution – informed science is the way forward.