Medical researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine are conducting new clinical trials to determine whether marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain, according to a March 27 announcement. While leaders in the marijuana industry say cannabis can help with many health problems, recent studies have found little scientific evidence supporting its use as a medical therapy.
A November 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that “evidence from randomized clinical trials does not support the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most conditions for which it is promoted,” and that “evidence is insufficient for the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most medical indications.” Despite these findings, 47 states, including Colorado, allow medical marijuana.
Dr. Rachael Rzasa Lynn, an associate professor of anesthesiology at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, said her research aims to provide more rigorous answers through placebo-controlled, randomized studies. “One of the things we’re trying to address through our research is to do the placebo-controlled, randomized studies that help inform further reviews and analyses of clinical effects,” she said. Alongside Emily Lindley, an associate professor with a doctorate in neurobiology, Lynn is leading three separate studies focusing on different forms and uses of cannabis for chronic pain management.
Lindley’s first study compared vaporized cannabis with oxycodone for chronic neck and back pain but faced significant regulatory hurdles because marijuana remains illegal under federal law. She described additional challenges such as securing investigational new drug approval from federal agencies and establishing strict storage protocols due to legal requirements. Recruiting patients was also difficult because many interested participants were already using cannabis.
Other ongoing projects include a trial testing oral cannabis extracts versus placebo over several weeks and an observational study tracking people who choose their own topical cannabis products. The team hopes blood samples will clarify how much THC or CBD enters participants’ systems from topicals. Because campus policy prohibits bringing retail marijuana products onsite, researchers have adapted by using a mobile pharmacology lab visiting participants’ homes.
Guidelines from organizations like the American College of Physicians currently emphasize discussing both potential benefits and risks—including addiction concerns—with patients considering medical marijuana use. As more data becomes available from these ongoing trials, recommendations may change regarding how doctors approach prescribing or advising on medical cannabis.
