Medical cannabis has become a topic of significant interest in recent years, particularly for its potential to alleviate symptoms of various health conditions in children.
With more and more parents seeking alternative treatment options for their children, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising option.
However, the use of medical cannabis in children is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and consultation with healthcare professionals.
Let’s explore the potential benefits of medical cannabis for children, with a focus on the specific conditions for which it may be effective.
Access to Medical Cannabis for children in the United Kingdom
The situation for medical cannabis access for children in the UK is complex and constantly changing. In 2018, the UK government changed the law to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for a limited number of conditions.
The case of Billy Caldwell brought the issue to the public’s attention in the UK, and after an incredibly long battle with the UK governemnt there is now limited access to cannabis based medicines for children with severe illnesses.
There remains a whole host of medical conditions in children that might benefit from the prescription of medical cannabis, however the government in the UK is slow to act and NHS doctors are in dire need of education in the benefits of cannabis based medicines.
Despite the challenges, there is growing support for medical cannabis in the UK and increasing evidence of its potential benefits for conditions such as epilepsy and chronic pain.
The Growing Market for Pediatric Medical Cannabis in the US
The value of the medical cannabis sector for children in the US is difficult to estimate due to a lack of reliable data. However, a 2018 report by the Brightfield Group estimated that the total value of the US medical cannabis market was $12.2 billion.
The report also estimated that the pediatric medical cannabis market was worth $2.8 billion, or about 23% of the total market.
The value of the pediatric medical cannabis market is likely to continue to grow in the coming years. A 2020 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the number of children using medical cannabis in the US increased by 50% between 2014 and 2018.
The study also found that the most common conditions treated with medical cannabis in children were epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety.
The growth of the pediatric medical cannabis market is being driven by a number of factors, including:
- Increased awareness of the potential benefits of medical cannabis for children
- The legalization of medical cannabis in more states
- The development of new medical cannabis products that are specifically designed for children
- The growing body of research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for children
Despite the growth of the pediatric medical cannabis market, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed.
One challenge is the lack of reliable data on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis for children. Another challenge is the lack of insurance coverage for medical cannabis.
Finally, there is still a stigma associated with medical cannabis use, which can make it difficult for parents to access medical cannabis for their children.
Pediatric medical cannabis access in the US by state
| State | Legalization status | Adult use? | Medical cannabis? | Cannabis patients under age 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No | No | No |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | No | No | No | No |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Idaho | No | No | No | No |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pediatric Cannabis Prescriptions in the US
Epilepsy
Medical cannabis can be effective in controlling seizures in children with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, one-third of people with epilepsy do not respond to current treatments, such as anticonvulsant medications. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that Medical cannabis may be effective in reducing seizure frequency in some children with epilepsy.
One of the most well-known examples of the use of Medical cannabis to treat epilepsy is Charlotte Figi, a young girl who suffered from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.
Her parents were able to obtain a strain of Medical cannabis that was high in a compound called cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use.
Charlotte’s seizures decreased dramatically after she began using this treatment, and her story helped to raise awareness about the potential benefits of Medical cannabis for children with epilepsy.
There have also been several clinical trials and observational studies that have investigated the use of Medical cannabis for epilepsy.
For example, a 2017 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that CBD was associated with a significant reduction in seizure frequency in children with a rare form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
References:
- Epilepsy Foundation: Medical cannabis and Epilepsy
- The New England Journal of Medicine: Cannabidiol in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy
Cancer:
Medical cannabis can be used to relieve pain and nausea in children with cancer.
Children with cancer often experience pain and nausea as a result of their disease and its treatment. Medical cannabis may be effective in reducing these symptoms and improving quality of life for these patients.
A review of the literature published in the journal Current Oncology found that Medical cannabis was effective in reducing pain and improving appetite in children with cancer.
Another review published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology concluded that Medical cannabis was safe and well-tolerated in children with cancer, and that it had the potential to improve quality of life by reducing pain, nausea, and other symptoms.
In this Youtube video Dr William Courtney demonstrates how he shrunk an inoperable brain tumour in a baby using medical cannabis oil.
One study surveyed 288 pediatric oncology providers in three states to understand their views on using medical cannabis for children with cancer.
Although 30% of the providers had received medical cannabis requests in the past month, only 5% knew the state-specific regulations.
Most providers were willing to consider medical cannabis use, but those eligible to prescribe were less likely to approve of smoking, oral formulations, or cancer-directed therapy. The study identified the absence of standardized guidelines around medical cannabis as the greatest barrier to recommending it.
References:
- Current Oncology: Medical cannabis in supportive cancer care: lessons from Canada
- Provider Perspectives on Use of Medical Marijuana in Children With Cancer
- Dr. William Courtney
Chronic pain
Medical cannabis can be used to relieve pain from a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Chronic pain is a common condition that can be difficult to treat with conventional medications. Medical cannabis may be effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life for children with chronic pain.
A review of the literature published in the journal Pediatrics found that Medical cannabis was effective in reducing pain in children with chronic conditions, such as spasticity and neuropathic pain.
Another study published in the Journal of Pain found that Medical cannabis was effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in adults with chronic pain.
References:
- Pediatrics: Medical cannabis for Pediatric Patients with Spasticity and Epilepsy
- Journal of Pain: Cannabis for the Management of Pain: Assessment of Safety Study
Appetite stimulation
Medical cannabis can help to increase appetite in children who are experiencing loss of appetite due to illness or treatment.
Loss of appetite is a common symptom in children with chronic illnesses or undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy. Medical cannabis may be effective in increasing appetite and promoting weight gain in these patients.
A study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found that Medical cannabis was effective in increasing appetite and improving quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.
References:
Conclusion
In recent years, medical cannabis has gained popularity as a potential alternative treatment option for children with various health conditions.
While medical cannabis is gaining momentum, its use in children is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and consultation with healthcare professionals.
The UK government changed the law in 2018 to allow doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for a limited number of conditions.
In the US, the pediatric medical cannabis market is growing, and a 2020 study found that the number of children using medical cannabis in the US increased by 50% between 2014 and 2018.
The most common conditions treated with medical cannabis in children were epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety.
While there is growing evidence of the potential benefits of medical cannabis for children, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, including a lack of reliable data on its safety and efficacy and a lack of insurance coverage for medical cannabis.
The absence of standardised guidelines around medical cannabis is a significant barrier to recommending it.
