Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that often affects hands, hips, knees, and feet. OA is the most common form of arthritis for older adults, and it can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
Osteoarthritis was considered a condition of aging until the mid-1800s when doctors discovered it was a disease of the whole joint. Although this was an important step in learning how to diagnose and treat OA, the condition is still not fully understood.1
Osteoarthritis is estimated to affect more than 32.5 million people in the United States – and that rate is growing. OA can affect anyone but is found most often in women over 50.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
OA affects the entire joint; it begins with the deterioration of cartilage and then causes damage to the bone, connective tissues, and joint lining.
Some risk factors of osteoarthritis can be modified or avoided to slow or prevent the progression of OA.
- Joint injury: Injuries, including healed injuries, can increase your risk for osteoarthritis.
- Occupational hazards: Some jobs require excessive bending, squatting, or other physical activity that repeatedly stresses joints.
- Extra strain on joints: Excess weight puts more stress on weight-bearing joints and can increase the risk of OA.
Other risk factors for OA include:
- Age: The risk for OA increases with age.
- Gender: Women are more at risk for developing OA.
- Genetics: A family history of OA increases your risk.
- Pre-existing conditions: Bone or joint deformities, defective cartilage, and certain metabolic conditions, like diabetes, can put you more at risk for developing OA.
Osteoarthritis Signs & Symptoms
If you have osteoarthritis, you may experience one or more of the following joint-related symptoms:
- Pain
- Tenderness or aching
- Stiffness
- Decreased flexibility or range of motion
- Swelling
- Grating sensation and popping or crackling noise
- Bone spurs
These common symptoms of osteoarthritis usually develop slowly and worsen with time. Damage caused by OA cannot be reversed, but some symptoms can be managed, and a good quality of life can be maintained with a treatment plan. In severe cases, surgery can replace damaged joints and restore mobility.
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Osteoarthritis
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but the Arthritis Foundation has set guidelines for individuals to help manage the symptoms and progression of the disorder.
Additionally, medical cannabis has been studied as a potential treatment for some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Both THC and CBD have demonstrated potential as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agents, with research indicating they work best when used together to combat the symptoms.2
Researchers published a study in 2020 that examined the effects of CBD on osteoarthritis pain in mice and dogs. The researchers found that CBD reduced inflammation in mice models and improved quality of life in dogs at 50 mg CBD and 20 mg liposomal CBD.3
In 2022, researchers in Denmark studied the potential of CBD for hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis but found that 20 - 30 mg of CBD daily showed no significant difference in relieving pain compared to placebo.4
Another study published in 2022 found that patients who were using cannabis had a significant reduction in prescription opioid fulfillment compared to before they were using cannabis. Results indicated that participants had reduced pain scores and improved quality of life. The researchers also noted that high-dose users had also built up a tolerance to the intoxicating effects of cannabis.5
A more recent study published in April 2024 assessed the effectiveness of cannabis-based products for patients in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry who had osteoarthritis-related chronic pain. Patients had been prescribed both THC and CBD; the median dose per day was 25.5 mg of CBD and 105 mg of THC. In general, the patients experienced reduced pain and improved quality of life, and the adverse events were limited and mild.6
The Arthritis Foundation issued guidelines on using CBD for arthritis, although they maintain that medical cannabis is not a substitute for proper treatment. The promising results of the current studies underscore the need for more thorough research into the benefits of cannabis for osteoarthritis in humans.
It should also be noted that cannabis may interact with certain medications or anesthesia, and THC or CBD for osteoarthritis should only be used in conjunction with a treatment plan provided by a doctor.
Oral cannabis, including tinctures, capsules, edibles, and teas, are easy for precise and methodical dosing. Topical products, like lotions, balms, and patches, may be ideal for localized application to the affected joints.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers osteoarthritis to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes osteoarthritis or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Osteoarthritis
Can I use CBD oil for osteoarthritis?
CBD and combinations of CBD and THC have shown promise in alleviating some symptoms of osteoarthritis.7 The Arthritis Foundation has released guidelines on using CBD for arthritis.
Is using medical marijuana for osteoarthritis a good idea?
Medical cannabis may be an effective addition to an osteoarthritis treatment regimen. However, further study is needed. The Arthritis Foundation recommends against smoking cannabis for arthritis, and consumers should consider topical products, like lotions and balms, and oral cannabis, like CBD oil for OA.
What types of edibles are good for osteoarthritis?
Consumers may want to look for edibles that are rich in CBD with lower or equal amounts of THC. For more fast-acting relief, consumers can look for edibles made with nanoemulsion technology for enhanced absorption and faster onset.
Resources
- Dobson GP, Letson HL, Grant A, et al. Defining the osteoarthritis patient: back to the future. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2018;26(8):1003-1007. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2018.04.018 ↩︎
- O'Brien M, McDougall JJ. Cannabis and joints: scientific evidence for the alleviation of osteoarthritis pain by cannabinoids. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2018;40:104-109. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.012 ↩︎
- Verrico CD, Wesson S, Konduri V, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of daily cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain. Pain. 2020;161(9):2191-2202. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001896 ↩︎
- Vela J, Dreyer L, Petersen KK, Lars AN, Duch KS, Kristensen S. Cannabidiol treatment in hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Pain. 2021;163(6). doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002466 ↩︎
- Renslo B, Greis A, Liu CS, Radakrishnan A, Ilyas AM. Medical Cannabis Use Reduces Opioid Prescriptions in Patients With Osteoarthritis. Cureus. 2022;14(1):e21564. Published 2022 Jan 24. doi:10.7759/cureus.21564 ↩︎
- Francis A, Erridge S, Holvey C, et al. Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Osteoarthritis: Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy. 2024;38(2):1-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2340076 ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
