Medical Cannabis Use in Children Under 18: Balancing Promise and Research Gaps
Key Insights
Ohio and Kentucky laws permit doctors to recommend medical cannabis for patients under 18, raising questions about its safety and efficacy.
Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD medication for epilepsy (search), is a notable exception with established dosing and efficacy for both adults and children.
Research on THC-based treatments for children is hindered by the Schedule 1 classification, limiting clinical trials and data on safety and efficacy.
Ohio's adult-use cannabis law prohibits individuals under 21 from possessing or using the drug. However, both Ohio and Kentucky's medical cannabis laws allow physicians to recommend cannabis for patients under 18. This raises important questions about the appropriateness, safety, and efficacy of medical cannabis use in pediatric populations.
Current Landscape of Medical Cannabis for Children
Dr. Michael Privitera from the University of Cincinnati highlights Epidiolex, a CBD-based medication for epilepsy (search), as the only FDA-approved CBD treatment for both adults and children. "Unlike medical marijuana...I write a prescription for Epidiolex, patients go to the pharmacy and they pick it up," Privitera explains. "And we know specifically what the doses are, what the titration is and exactly what people are getting when we give it to them."
Challenges in THC Research
Privitera notes that while Epidiolex's CBD formulation is being investigated for other conditions, research into THC-based products faces significant hurdles. The Schedule 1 classification of THC makes it difficult to conduct clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy in both adults and children. This lack of robust clinical data creates uncertainty about the potential benefits and risks of THC-based medical cannabis for pediatric patients.
Ongoing Research and Future Directions
Despite the challenges, ongoing trials are exploring the potential of CBD-based medications like Epidiolex to treat various conditions. These studies aim to provide much-needed data on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in children, helping to inform clinical decision-making and regulatory policies.