Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Autism can present with a number of neurological and behavioural complexities, and there are no medications approved for symptom management in Canada. Among patients and families, there is growing interest in medical cannabis, particularly for its role in improving behavioural and sleep-related symptoms. However, high-quality evidence regarding its safety, efficacy, and clinical use in children remains scarce, leaving physicians to feel unprepared when faced with parental inquiries. Methods: This study aims to analyze the current evidence on medical cannabis in children with autism, and to explore the feasibility of future clinical trials in Canada. To achieve this, three complementary approaches are used: (1) a literature review of previously published evidence; (2) a national survey of developmental pediatricians in Canada; and (3) a pharmacovigilance analysis using real-world adverse event reporting databases. Results: Previously conducted studies of various design types suggest that medical cannabis may improve core and related symptoms of autism in children. However, findings remain heterogeneous and limited by study quality. Developmental pediatricians across Canada frequently received questions about medical cannabis but reported uncertainty about its benefits and safety and insufficient training and clinical guidance. Most pediatricians expressed willingness to participate in clinical trials that investigated medical cannabis for children with autism. A pharmacovigilance analysis of real-world reporting identified overlapping adverse event patterns across commonly used medication classes but a limited number of cannabinoid-related reports in children with autism. Reports of adverse events to cannabinoids in children with epilepsy, where cannabidiol is on label, were identified which suggests the limited reports in children with autism may be underreported as all medical cannabis use being off-label in children with autism. Conclusions: The results of these studies indicate that there is insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of cannabinoids in the management of children with autism. Real-world data implications are limited due to under-reporting and a lack of Canadian data. Growing clinical interest alongside these knowledge gaps highlight the urgent need to conduct well-structed pediatric cannabinoid clinical trials in Canada and emphasize the need for enhanced physician education with harmonized systems for rigorous safety monitoring.
Source: Mspace (University of Manitoba)
Author: Ding, Wanting
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204063708