Is Medical Cannabis for Children Under 18 a Good Idea?

With the growing legalization of cannabis for both adult use and medical purposes, there’s an ongoing debate about its use in children under 18. States like Ohio, and soon Kentucky in 2025, allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis for minors in specific circumstances. But is this a good idea? And how much do we really know about its effects on developing brains?

Limited, But Notable, Medical Applications

In certain rare cases, medical cannabis has been used to treat children, particularly those with severe medical conditions that don’t respond well to conventional treatments. One of the most well-known applications is the use of cannabis-based treatments for epilepsy. Studies have shown that specific cannabinoids, such as CBD, can reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in children with epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

However, as Dr. Michael Privitera, professor of neurology and director of the Epilepsy Center at the University of Cincinnati, explains, while cannabis may offer hope for some, its use should be approached cautiously. “We’re still learning about the long-term impacts on the developing brain,” he cautions.

What Do We Know About Cannabis and the Developing Brain?

One of the main concerns with cannabis use in children is its effect on brain development. The developing brain is particularly sensitive to external influences, and studies have shown that THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) can interfere with the development of brain structures involved in memory, attention, and cognitive function.

According to Dr. Elissa Gilbert Miller, chief of palliative medicine at Nemours Children’s Health, the potential risks have to be carefully weighed against the benefits. In certain palliative care situations, where children are experiencing extreme symptoms such as chronic pain or nausea due to terminal illness, the relief offered by medical cannabis can outweigh the risks.

However, in these cases, doctors often recommend non-psychoactive compounds like CBD rather than THC, which is believed to have fewer harmful effects on the brain.

A Balancing Act of Risks and Benefits

The medical community remains divided over how widely cannabis should be used for children. Dr. Prasanna Ananth, associate professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, points out that while there is some evidence of efficacy in treating certain conditions, much remains unknown about the long-term consequences.

There is a consensus that more research is urgently needed, particularly randomized clinical trials to better understand the impact of medical cannabis on pediatric patients. Without clear, long-term data, doctors must balance the potential short-term benefits of symptom relief against the long-term developmental risks.

Conclusion: Proceeding with Caution

In states like Ohio, where medical cannabis is legal for children under 18, its use is generally restricted to cases where traditional treatments have failed. This cautious approach reflects the understanding that while cannabis can be helpful in specific scenarios, it is not a blanket solution.

For now, the medical community continues to study its effects, hoping to find more concrete answers on whether medical cannabis is truly beneficial—or harmful—for young patients.