Cannabis for Crohn's Disease: What the Research Shows
What Researchers Found About Crohns Disease and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018
Researchers
Cochrane Collaboration (International)
Study Type
Systematic ReviewParticipants
93 patients · 8 weeks
Key Finding
The effects of cannabis and cannabis oil on Crohn's disease are uncertain. No firm conclusions regarding efficacy and safety can be drawn from the available evidence.
Key Finding: The effects of cannabis and cannabis oil on Crohn's disease are uncertain. No firm conclusions regarding efficacy and safety can be drawn from the available evidence.
What Researchers Studied About Crohns Disease and Cannabis
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract that causes significant pain and reduced quality of life. The body's endocannabinoid system has been proposed as a potential treatment target, and animal studies have shown cannabis may decrease inflammation.
This Cochrane review examined whether cannabis or cannabinoids could help induce or maintain remission in people with Crohn's disease.
Researchers searched for randomized controlled trials comparing any form of cannabis to placebo or active treatment in adults with Crohn's disease.
How This Systematic Review Was Conducted
The reviewers searched multiple medical databases up to October 17, 2018, including MEDLINE, Embase, and clinical trial registries. They contacted researchers in the field for unpublished studies.
They found only 3 small studies meeting their inclusion criteria, with a total of 93 participants. All three studies examined cannabis in people with active Crohn's disease. No studies in patients with inactive (quiescent) disease were found.
The studies tested different forms: smoked cannabis, CBD-only oil, and a CBD/THC oil combination.
Crohns Disease Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 1Study 1 (21 patients): Smoked cannabis (115mg THC) showed 45% remission vs 10% with placebo, but confidence intervals were too wide to be certain (RR 4.55, 95% CI 0.63-32.56)
- 2Study 1: Clinical response was higher with cannabis (91%) vs placebo (40%), with very low certainty evidence
- 3Study 2 (22 patients): CBD oil (5%) showed no difference in remission rates (40% vs 33% placebo)
- 4Study 3 (50 patients): CBD/THC oil showed improved quality of life scores (96.3 vs 79.9) and lower disease activity scores (118.6 vs 212.6)
- 5Mild adverse events in cannabis groups included sleepiness, nausea, concentration difficulty, memory loss, confusion, and dizziness
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 3 studies | Only 3 small randomized trials (93 total participants) met quality standards for inclusion |
| 45% vs 10% | Remission rates with smoked cannabis vs placebo in one 21-patient study (very low certainty) |
| 91% vs 40% | Clinical response rates with smoked cannabis vs placebo (very low certainty evidence) |
| 16.4 points | Quality of life improvement with CBD/THC oil vs placebo (low certainty evidence) |
Only 3 small randomized trials (93 total participants) met quality standards for inclusion
Remission rates with smoked cannabis vs placebo in one 21-patient study (very low certainty)
Clinical response rates with smoked cannabis vs placebo (very low certainty evidence)
Quality of life improvement with CBD/THC oil vs placebo (low certainty evidence)
What This Means for Crohns Disease Patients
If you have Crohn's disease, this review cannot tell you whether cannabis will help. The available studies are too small and results too uncertain to draw firm conclusions.
One study suggested improvement in symptoms and quality of life with a CBD/THC oil, but this needs confirmation in larger trials.
Adverse effects were generally mild (sleepiness, nausea, dizziness), but more safety data is needed. The review also notes evidence suggesting cannabis users with Crohn's may have increased risk of surgery, though this was from observational data, not the trials.
Talk to your gastroenterologist before trying cannabis for Crohn's disease.
Quick Answers: Crohns Disease 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.
Does weed help Crohn's disease?
Uncertain, more research needed. A 2018 Cochrane review of only 3 small studies (93 patients) concluded "no firm conclusions regarding efficacy and safety can be drawn." Results varied across studies.
Source: Kafil et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 (PMID: 30407616)
What does research say about marijuana for IBD?
Evidence is too limited. The Cochrane review (2018) found the evidence too limited to draw conclusions. One study of 50 patients showed improved quality of life with CBD/THC oil, but this needs confirmation in larger trials.
Source: Kafil et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 (PMID: 30407616)
Is cannabis safe for people with Crohn's?
Side effects in trials were mild (sleepiness, nausea, dizziness). However, the Cochrane review notes observational evidence suggesting increased surgery risk in Crohn's patients who use cannabis, though this was not from the clinical trials.
Source: Kafil et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 (PMID: 30407616)
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 3 small studies (93 total participants) met inclusion criteria
- All evidence was rated as very low to low certainty
- Studies used different cannabis preparations, preventing comparison
- No studies examined cannabis in quiescent (inactive) Crohn's disease
- Wide confidence intervals mean true effects could range from very helpful to harmful
- Two studies had high risk of bias
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Crohns Disease
This Cochrane review found the evidence too limited and uncertain to draw conclusions about cannabis for Crohn's disease. The few small studies show mixed results. Larger, better-designed trials are needed before cannabis can be recommended or discouraged for this condition. Patients interested in trying cannabis should discuss it with their gastroenterologist.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Crohns Disease, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
Related Research
Condition Research
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Source
Kafil TS, Nguyen TM, MacDonald JK, et al. "Cannabis for the treatment of Crohn's disease" The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012853.pub2
Important Information
Study Age: This study was published 8 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 Crohns Disease
Does cannabis help Crohn's disease?
Uncertain, evidence is limited. A 2018 Cochrane review found only 3 small studies (93 patients total) with mixed results. The authors concluded "no firm conclusions regarding efficacy and safety can be drawn."
What did studies find about cannabis and Crohn's?
Results varied: one small study found higher symptom response with smoked cannabis, another found no difference with CBD oil, and a third found improved quality of life with CBD/THC oil. All had very low to low certainty evidence.
Is cannabis safe for Crohn's patients?
Adverse effects in the studies were generally mild: sleepiness, nausea, concentration difficulty, and dizziness. However, observational evidence suggests cannabis users with Crohn's may have increased surgery risk. More research is needed.