Cannabis Shows Promise in Improving Patient Quality of Life

The global burden of chronic health conditions is significant. Medicinal cannabis (MC) is a legalised treatment option for patients with chronic health conditions in some countries. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important patient-reported outcome across all chronic health conditions. We aimed to determine how studies of MC therapy justify, measure, and report HRQL, and assess the current evidence for HRQL following MC treatment. Systematic review searching AMED, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cinahl, and PsycINFO from Jan 2015 to Apr 2025. Studies using validated HRQL measures pre-, and post-MC treatment for any chronic health condition were included. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Completeness of HRQL reporting was evaluated. Meta-analyses for short-term (2-weeks to 3-months), medium-term (>&#x2009;3 to <&#x2009;12-months), and long-term (&#x2265;&#x2009;12-months) HRQL outcomes were conducted, with Risk of Bias (RoB) assessed in randomised control trials (RCTs). Of 16,674 retrieved citations, 64 studies were retained for analysis:12 RCTs; 38 cohort studies; 13 case series; 1 non-randomised experimental study. Thirty-nine studies (61%) provided justification for assessing HRQL and five (8%) provided HRQL definitions. Studies used generic (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;52, 81%) or condition-specific (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;12, 19%) HRQL measures, with EQ-5D-5L most commonly used. Meta-analyses: RCTs showed small short-term HRQL improvements (Cohen's d&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.30, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.03), with some concerns or low RoB. For observational studies, HRQL improved in all follow-up periods (d&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.43 to 0.74; all p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). HRQL improvement varied between, and within, different health conditions. This systematic review and meta-analyses of studies published between 2015 and 2025 found that few studies provided HRQL definitions, and a third of studies did not explain why they measured HRQL. To ensure appropriate measures are used for this important treatment outcome, future studies should define HRQL and justify the HRQL assessment in the context of research objectives. Overall, improvements in HRQL were observed across studies of patients using MC. Medicinal cannabis (MC) is a treatment option for patients in countries where prescribing MC is legal. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQL) can mean different things to different people but remains an important treatment outcome for all patients, regardless of their specific health condition. HRQL varies depending on the context and measurement tool (questionnaire) used. We aimed to find out (1) how HRQL assessment is justified, defined and measured in MC research, and (2) if HRQL improves in patients prescribed MC. We looked at studies published over the past decade that reported HRQL in patients before and after MC treatment. Most studies (81%) used generic HRQL questionnaires (e.g., EuroQol Group: EQ-5D) and others used condition-specific questionnaires (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life: MSQoL-52). Overall, HRQL improved in patients using MC. However, only a few studies provided HRQL definitions, and a third of studies didn&#x2019;t explain why they measured HRQL. This information is needed to ensure HRQL is measured and interpreted appropriately in future studies.