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Medical cannabis in Canada

How access to cannabis for medical purposes works under federal law, and what research shows for the ten reasons Canadians most often give for using it. Free to read. Education only.

Free guide. Nothing to buy.Laws checked against official sources on 25 October 2026.Français

Education only.

How access works in Canada

Summarized from the regulations and Health Canada pages linked under each point. Provinces and territories add their own rules; check the linked sources before acting.

  1. In forceSince 17 October 2018

    The Cannabis Act and Part 14 of the Cannabis Regulations

    Access to cannabis for medical purposes is governed by the Cannabis Act and Part 14 of the Cannabis Regulations, which replaced the earlier Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR).

    [2] Health Canada: Cannabis Act information · [3] Cannabis Regulations, Part 14

  2. In forceStep 1

    A medical document from a health care practitioner

    A health care practitioner, meaning a physician or a nurse practitioner, can provide a medical document supporting the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The regulations require it to state the amount of dried cannabis authorized per day and a period of use of no more than one year.

    [3] Cannabis Regulations, Part 14 · [4] Health Canada: Accessing cannabis for medical purposes

  3. In forceStep 2

    Three ways to get cannabis for medical purposes

    With a medical document, a person can (1) register with and buy directly from a federally licensed seller, (2) register with Health Canada to produce a limited amount for their own medical purposes, or (3) designate someone to produce it for them. Adults of legal age can also buy from authorized provincial and territorial retailers.

    [2] Health Canada: Cannabis Act information · [4] Health Canada: Accessing cannabis for medical purposes

  4. In forceIn force

    Public possession limit

    A registered adult may carry in public the lesser of 30 times the daily amount of dried cannabis shown on their registration document, or 150 g of dried cannabis (section 266).

    [3] Cannabis Regulations, Part 14

  5. In forceHealth Canada

    Not authorized for any specific condition

    Health Canada states that legal cannabis products have not been reviewed to determine whether they are safe or effective for specific diseases or symptoms, and have not been authorized to treat them. It advises talking with your health care provider before starting and keeping regular follow-up appointments.

    [5] Health Canada: General information

  6. Check for updatesCheck for updates

    Regulations recently amended

    The Justice Laws Website lists the Cannabis Regulations as current to 30 September 2026 and last amended on 4 June 2026 (SOR/2026-113). We have not reviewed what that amendment changed. Confirm details on the official site before acting.

    [3] Cannabis Regulations, Part 14

The ten conditions Canadians most often report

Where these numbers come from

Health Canada’s Canadian Cannabis Survey 2024 asked people aged 16 and older about cannabis use. 10% said they had used cannabis for medical purposes in the past 12 months, and only 18% of them had a medical document from a health care professional. Those who used it for medical purposes were asked which symptoms, diseases or disorders they used it for and could choose more than one, so the shares add up to more than 100%. This shows why people use cannabis, not whether it works.

[1] Canadian Cannabis Survey 2024

How to read the labels

  • Some trial evidence, usually modest Randomized trials show a benefit for some people, often small or limited to specific conditions.
  • Early, limited or mixed evidence A few small trials, conflicting results, or mainly observational data.
  • Little support or negative trials Few or no supportive trials, or trials that found no benefit.

Labels are our plain-language reading of the cited reviews and trials, not an official rating.

  1. 1Problems sleeping or insomnia47%
  2. 2Arthritis (including joint pain)37%
  3. 3Chronic pain and acute pain34% + 17%
  4. 4Anxiety25%
  5. 5Depression22%
  6. 6Headaches or migraines15%
  7. 7Attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD)15%
  8. 8Seizures or epilepsy12%
  9. 9Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)12%
  10. 10Lack of appetite, wasting/weight loss or eating disorder12%

Every other answer was chosen by 10% or fewer.

#1

Problems sleeping or insomnia

Early, limited or mixed evidence

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 47% of people who used cannabis for medical purposes: the most common answer.
What the research shows
A 2022 meta-analysis of 39 trials, mostly in people with chronic pain, found a small improvement in sleep compared with placebo. In a 2022 randomized trial, people given a medical cannabis card rated their insomnia as better.
Keep in mind
  • Most sleep data come from people whose main problem was pain, not insomnia on its own.
  • In the 2022 trial, symptoms of cannabis use disorder were about twice as common with a card.

Sources: [6] AminiLari 2022 · [7] Gilman 2022

#2

Arthritis (including joint pain)

Early, limited or mixed evidence

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 37%.
What the research shows
A 2016 systematic review of rheumatic diseases found only four small, short trials and called the evidence insufficient. One 2006 trial in rheumatoid arthritis found small improvements in pain and sleep with nabiximols spray; an osteoarthritis trial was stopped early for futility.
Keep in mind
  • Dizziness, drowsiness and thinking problems were reported by almost half of trial participants.
  • No trials of herbal (dried) cannabis were found in that review.

Sources: [8] Fitzcharles 2016 · [9] Blake 2006

#3

Chronic pain and acute pain

Some trial evidence, usually modest

In the Canadian survey
Chronic pain was chosen by 34% and acute pain by 17% (respondents could choose both).
What the research shows
For chronic pain, a 2021 BMJ meta-analysis of 32 trials found non-inhaled medical cannabis probably gives a small improvement compared with placebo; a Cochrane review of neuropathic pain said benefits might be outweighed by harms. For acute pain, such as after surgery, a 2017 review concluded cannabinoids have no role.
Keep in mind
  • Side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness were more common than with placebo.
  • Most chronic-pain trials lasted only weeks to a few months.

Sources: [10] Wang 2021 · [11] Mücke 2018 · [12] Stevens 2017

#4

Anxiety

Little support or negative trials

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 25% (Figure 27; the summary text says 26%).
What the research shows
A 2019 Lancet Psychiatry review found very low-quality evidence of a small improvement in anxiety, mainly in people with other conditions such as chronic pain or multiple sclerosis, and scarce evidence for anxiety disorders. In a 2022 randomized trial, getting a medical cannabis card did not improve anxiety.
Keep in mind
  • Most of the supportive data came from people treated for other conditions, not anxiety disorders.
  • Talk with your health care provider before changing any anxiety treatment.

Sources: [13] Black 2019 · [7] Gilman 2022

#5

Depression

Little support or negative trials

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 22%.
What the research shows
The 2019 Lancet Psychiatry review of 83 studies found scarce evidence that cannabinoids improve depressive disorders. In the 2022 randomized trial, a medical cannabis card did not improve depression symptoms.
Keep in mind
  • In that trial, symptoms of cannabis use disorder were about twice as common with a card.
  • Do not stop prescribed treatment without talking to your health care provider.

Sources: [13] Black 2019 · [7] Gilman 2022

#6

Headaches or migraines

Early, limited or mixed evidence

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 15%.
What the research shows
A 2026 randomized crossover trial of 92 people found vaporized cannabis containing THC plus CBD relieved acute migraine pain at 2 hours more often than placebo. Earlier evidence is mostly observational, such as a 2016 chart review reporting fewer migraines per month.
Keep in mind
  • One controlled trial is not enough to call this established.
  • The trial treated single attacks; it did not test prevention or long-term use.

Sources: [14] Schuster 2026 · [15] Rhyne 2016

#7

Attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD)

Little support or negative trials

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 15%.
What the research shows
The only randomized trial we found, a 30-adult pilot study of nabiximols spray (2017), did not meet its main outcome. The 2019 review found scarce evidence for cannabinoids in ADHD.
Keep in mind
  • Cannabis can affect attention and memory.
  • Do not stop prescribed ADHD medicine without talking to your health care provider.

Sources: [16] Cooper 2017 · [13] Black 2019

#8

Seizures or epilepsy

Some trial evidence, usually modest

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 12%.
What the research shows
Large randomized trials (2017–2018) showed that a purified pharmaceutical cannabidiol (CBD) reduced seizures more than placebo in two rare, severe childhood-onset epilepsies: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These results apply to that purified medicine in those syndromes, not to cannabis products in general.
Keep in mind
  • Raised liver enzymes, sleepiness and diarrhea were reported in these trials.
  • Never change seizure medicines without your neurologist.

Sources: [17] Devinsky 2017 · [18] Devinsky 2018 · [19] Thiele 2018

#9

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Little support or negative trials

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 12%.
What the research shows
The first randomized placebo-controlled trial of smoked cannabis for PTSD (2021) found no active preparation did better than placebo; all groups, including placebo, improved. The 2019 review found scarce evidence for cannabinoids in PTSD.
Keep in mind
  • The trial was brief and small.
  • Ask your health care provider about established PTSD treatments.

Sources: [20] Bonn-Miller 2021 · [13] Black 2019

#10

Lack of appetite, wasting/weight loss or eating disorder

Early, limited or mixed evidence

In the Canadian survey
Chosen by 12%.
What the research shows
In a 1995 trial in people with AIDS-related weight loss, dronabinol improved appetite compared with placebo, while weight stayed about the same. In a 2006 trial in cancer-related anorexia-cachexia, neither cannabis extract nor THC improved appetite or quality of life more than placebo.
Keep in mind
  • Results differ by illness; findings in AIDS may not apply to cancer.
  • These trials did not study eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

Sources: [21] Beal 1995 · [22] Strasser 2006

Safety points for everyone

These apply whatever the reason for use.

  • Health Canada advises not using cannabis if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, or have a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, among other situations. Read its full list. [5] Health Canada: General information
  • Side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, nausea and confusion are common in trials. [23] Whiting 2015 · [10] Wang 2021
  • Daily use of high-potency cannabis is linked to a higher rate of psychotic disorder. [24] Di 2019
  • Cannabis use disorder can develop; in one trial, symptoms of it were about twice as common in people who got access to medical cannabis. [7] Gilman 2022
  • Cannabis use is linked to a higher risk of traffic crashes. Do not drive while impaired. [25] NASEM 2017
  • Long-term heavy use can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: repeated bouts of severe vomiting. [26] Sorensen 2017
  • Bring a complete list of your medicines, including over-the-counter and natural health products, to your health care provider and pharmacist. We do not give interaction verdicts.

Clinician packets

Optional paid packets for clinicians on the same ten conditions: per-condition research summaries, patient handoff sheets and a full verified source list. This guide stays free.

Sources

Laws, Health Canada and data

  1. Health Canada. Canadian Cannabis Survey 2024: Summary (Figure 27). www.canada.ca
  2. Health Canada. Cannabis for medical purposes under the Cannabis Act: information and improvements. www.canada.ca
  3. Cannabis Regulations (SOR/2018-144), Part 14: Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes. Justice Laws Website (current to 2026-09-30). laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
  4. Health Canada. Accessing cannabis for medical purposes. www.canada.ca
  5. Health Canada. Cannabis for medical purposes: General information. www.canada.ca

Studies (PubMed)

  1. AminiLari M, et al. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids for impaired sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Sleep. 2022;45:zsab234. PMID 34546363 · DOI 10.1093/sleep/zsab234
  2. Gilman JM, et al. Effect of Medical Marijuana Card Ownership on Pain, Insomnia, and Affective Disorder Symptoms in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5:e222106. PMID 35302633 · DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2106
  3. Fitzcharles MA, et al. Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Cannabinoid Treatments in the Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016;68:681-8. PMID 26548380 · DOI 10.1002/acr.22727
  4. Blake DR, et al. Preliminary assessment of the efficacy, tolerability and safety of a cannabis-based medicine (Sativex) in the treatment of pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2006;45:50-2. PMID 16282192 · DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/kei183
  5. Wang L, et al. Medical cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer and cancer related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2021;374:n1034. PMID 34497047 · DOI 10.1136/bmj.n1034
  6. Mücke M, et al. Cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3:CD012182. PMID 29513392 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD012182.pub2
  7. Stevens AJ, et al. A systematic review of the analgesic efficacy of cannabinoid medications in the management of acute pain. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2017;61:268-280. PMID 28090652 · DOI 10.1111/aas.12851
  8. Black N, et al. Cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6:995-1010. PMID 31672337 · DOI 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30401-8
  9. Schuster NM, et al. Vaporized cannabis versus placebo for acute migraine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Headache. 2026;66:365-376. PMID 41469488 · DOI 10.1111/head.70025
  10. Rhyne DN, et al. Effects of Medical Marijuana on Migraine Headache Frequency in an Adult Population. Pharmacotherapy. 2016;36:505-10. PMID 26749285 · DOI 10.1002/phar.1673
  11. Cooper RE, et al. Cannabinoids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomised-controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2017;27:795-808. PMID 28576350 · DOI 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.05.005
  12. Devinsky O, et al. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:2011-2020. PMID 28538134 · DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1611618
  13. Devinsky O, et al. Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:1888-1897. PMID 29768152 · DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1714631
  14. Thiele EA, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018;391:1085-1096. PMID 29395273 · DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
  15. Bonn-Miller MO, et al. The short-term impact of 3 smoked cannabis preparations versus placebo on PTSD symptoms: A randomized cross-over clinical trial. PLoS One. 2021;16:e0246990. PMID 33730032 · DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0246990
  16. Beal JE, et al. Dronabinol as a treatment for anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1995;10:89-97. PMID 7730690 · DOI 10.1016/0885-3924(94)00117-4
  17. Strasser F, et al. (Cannabis-In-Cachexia-Study-Group). Comparison of orally administered cannabis extract and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in treating patients with cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome: a multicenter, phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial from the Cannabis-In-Cachexia-Study-Group. J Clin Oncol. 2006;24:3394-400. PMID 16849753 · DOI 10.1200/JCO.2005.05.1847
  18. Whiting PF, et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015;313:2456-73. PMID 26103030 · DOI 10.1001/jama.2015.6358
  19. Di Forti M, et al. The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): a multicentre case-control study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6:427-436. PMID 30902669 · DOI 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30048-3
  20. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies Press; 2017. PMID 28182367 · DOI 10.17226/24625
  21. Sorensen CJ, et al. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment-a Systematic Review. J Med Toxicol. 2017;13:71-87. PMID 28000146 · DOI 10.1007/s13181-016-0595-z

Education only. This page does not diagnose, recommend doses or products, or give drug-interaction verdicts. It is not legal advice. We do not sell, supply or refer to cannabis products. Always consult a qualified health care practitioner.