Cannabinoids for Arthritis and Rheumatic Pain: Insufficient Evidence
What Researchers Found About Arthritis and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
Schmerz, 2016
Researchers
Multiple institutions (International)
Study Type
Systematic ReviewParticipants
159 patients · 2-5 weeks across studies
Key Finding
Currently, there is insufficient evidence for recommendation for any cannabinoid preparations for symptom management in patients with chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases.
Key Finding: Currently, there is insufficient evidence for recommendation for any cannabinoid preparations for symptom management in patients with chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases.
What Researchers Studied About Arthritis and Cannabis
This systematic review searched for randomized controlled trials of cannabinoids for chronic pain in rheumatic diseases.
Conditions studied: fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), osteoarthritis (OA), chronic spinal pain, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Databases searched: Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, cannabis-med.org, and clinicaltrials.gov through April 2015.
How This Systematic Review Was Conducted
Inclusion criteria: RCTs with at least 2 weeks duration and at least 10 patients per treatment arm.
Outcomes assessed: reduction of pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and quality of life limitations for efficacy; dropout rates for tolerability; serious adverse events for safety.
Methodology quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.
Arthritis Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 1Only 4 small RCTs were found for all rheumatic conditions combined
- 2Two RCTs (2 and 4 weeks) with nabilone in 71 fibromyalgia patients
- 3One 4-week trial with nabilone in 30 spinal pain patients
- 4One 5-week study with THC/CBD in 58 rheumatoid arthritis patients
- 5NO RCTs found for osteoarthritis
- 6Three studies required pain refractory to conventional treatment
- 7Risk of bias was HIGH for 3 of 4 studies
- 8Superiority of cannabinoids over controls (placebo, amitriptyline) was NOT consistent
- 9Cannabinoids were generally well tolerated despite troublesome side effects
- 10Cannabinoids were safe during the short study durations
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 4 RCTs | Total number of qualifying studies found for all rheumatic conditions |
| 159 patients | Total patients across all 4 studies (71 + 30 + 58) |
| 0 RCTs | Number of studies found for osteoarthritis specifically |
| 3 of 4 | Studies with high risk of bias |
Total number of qualifying studies found for all rheumatic conditions
Total patients across all 4 studies (71 + 30 + 58)
Number of studies found for osteoarthritis specifically
Studies with high risk of bias
What This Means for Arthritis Patients
If you have arthritis or another rheumatic condition, this review has disappointing news: there is simply not enough evidence to recommend cannabinoids.
Only 4 small, short trials were found across all rheumatic diseases combined. Most had high risk of bias.
For osteoarthritis specifically, NO randomized trials were found at all.
The studies that did exist showed inconsistent results. Cannabinoids were not clearly better than placebo or amitriptyline (a common pain medication).
The good news: cannabinoids appeared safe during these short studies and were generally well tolerated, though some side effects were troublesome.
The bottom line: if you have arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain, there is not enough evidence to know whether cannabinoids will help you. More research is needed.
Quick Answers: Arthritis and Cannabis
Direct answers based on the findings of this study:
Research Summary: Answers are based on published peer-reviewed studies and represent research findings, not medical recommendations. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
Is there evidence for cannabis treating arthritis?
Evidence is insufficient. A 2016 systematic review found only 4 small RCTs for all rheumatic diseases combined (159 patients total). Results were inconsistent, risk of bias was high, and NO studies existed for osteoarthritis specifically.
Source: Fitzcharles et al., Schmerz, 2016 (PMID: 26767993)
Should I try cannabis for rheumatoid arthritis?
Current evidence is insufficient to recommend cannabinoids for rheumatoid arthritis. Only one 5-week study with 58 patients exists. Results were not consistent with controls. Discuss with your rheumatologist before trying.
Source: Fitzcharles et al., Schmerz, 2016 (PMID: 26767993)
Why is arthritis not a qualifying condition for medical marijuana?
Because evidence is lacking. A systematic review found only 4 small RCTs for all rheumatic conditions, with inconsistent results and high bias risk. For osteoarthritis specifically, NO randomized trials exist.
Source: Fitzcharles et al., Schmerz, 2016 (PMID: 26767993)
This is educational content, not medical advice
The research summarized here is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and what works in studies may not work the same way for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or starting medical cannabis therapy.
Important Limitations
This study has some caveats to keep in mind when interpreting the results:
- Only 4 small RCTs found across all conditions
- No RCTs for osteoarthritis
- High risk of bias in 3 of 4 studies
- Short study durations (2-5 weeks)
- Results not consistent across studies
- Literature search ended April 2015
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Arthritis
This systematic review found only 4 small, mostly low-quality RCTs for cannabinoids in rheumatic diseases. Results were inconsistent. NO studies existed for osteoarthritis. The conclusion is clear: there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend cannabinoids for arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, or rheumatoid arthritis. More research is needed.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Arthritis, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
Related Research
- Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia: What 367 Patients Experienced
- Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Critical Look at 104 Studies
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cannabis for Chronic Pain & Co-Occurring Conditions (2024)
- CBD for Arthritis Pain: A Controlled Trial Shows No Benefit
- Cannabis for Fibromyalgia: What the Research Actually Shows
Condition Research
Get Your Card
This condition qualifies for medical marijuana in:
Source
Fitzcharles MA, Baerwald C, Ablin J, et al. "Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis): A systematic review of randomized controlled trials" Schmerz. 2016. DOI: 10.1007/s00482-015-0084-3
Important Information
Study Age: This study was published 10 years ago. Newer research may have updated or refined these findings.
Not Medical Advice: This research summary is for educational purposes only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
Individual Variation: Research findings represent group averages. Your individual response to cannabis may differ based on genetics, other medications, underlying conditions, and many other factors.
Last reviewed: January 25, 2026
Important Notices
Research Summary Disclaimer
This content represents our interpretation of published scientific research for educational purposes. It should not be used to make treatment decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary from study findings.
FDA Notice
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any medical condition except specific prescription medications.
Copyright & Fair Use
Research summaries are provided under fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) for educational purposes. We provide brief summaries with attribution, not full reproductions. All studies remain the intellectual property of their respective authors and publishers.
Data Sources
Study information sourced from PubMed®, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.
For complete information, see our Terms of Use and Research Content Policy.
FAQs: Cannabis for Arthritis
Does cannabis help arthritis?
There is insufficient evidence to say. A 2016 systematic review found only 4 small RCTs for all rheumatic conditions combined, with inconsistent results and high risk of bias in 3 of 4 studies.
Can I use CBD for osteoarthritis?
There is no evidence from randomized trials. This 2016 review found NO RCTs specifically for osteoarthritis. Without controlled studies, we cannot say whether cannabinoids help this condition.
Are cannabinoids safe for arthritis patients?
Cannabinoids were generally well tolerated and safe during the short study durations (2-5 weeks). However, some side effects were troublesome, and long-term safety is unknown.