Crohn’s Disease and Medical Cannabis: The Facts
1 in every 123
people in the UK are living with Crohn’s disease or Colitis [1]
30 years old
is the average age of Crohn’s disease diagnosis [2]
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive system. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), similar to ulcerative colitis. The inflammation can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (the colon).
Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition. Symptoms may come and go in patterns known as flare-ups and periods of remission.
What Causes Crohn’s Disease?
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not fully understood. It is thought to develop from a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors. Some people may be more likely to develop the condition because of their family history.Crohn’s disease most commonly develops between the ages of 15 and 40, although it can occur at any age.
Smoking is known to worsen symptoms and is associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease. While some links between diet and Crohn’s have been suggested, there is no single dietary cause.
What are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease can vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches and cramps
- Blood in stool
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Unintended weight loss
Some people may also experience complications over time. Some people may also experience complications over time. Crohn’s disease can affect how the body absorbs nutrients, which may lead to deficiencies such as iron deficiency anaemia. In some cases, ongoing inflammation can cause damage to the bowel and may require surgery.
Are There Different Types of Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is not divided into distinct types, but it can be described based on which part of the digestive tract is affected. These include:
- Gastroduodenal Crohn’s – affects the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine.
- Ileitis – affects the last section of the small intestine (ileum).
- Ileocolitis – affects both the end of the small intestine and the large intestine. This is the most common form.
- Jejunoileitis – affects the middle and end of the small intestine.
Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease
There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease. Treatment aims to reduce flare-ups and control ongoing inflammation. With appropriate care, many people are able to manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
First-line treatments may include steroids to reduce inflammation and bring on remission, particularly during flare-ups. Other medicines such as immunosuppressants or biologic therapies may be used to help control the immune response over the longer term.
However, these treatments can cause side effects. Steroids, for example, may lead to weight gain, sleep disturbances, increased susceptibility to infections, and, in children, slower growth.
In some cases, where standard treatments are not effective or are not well tolerated, additional options may be considered under specialist guidance. Surgery may be needed if there is significant bowel damage. Medical cannabis is not a first line treatment but may be explored alongside a patient’s wider care plan to help manage symptoms such as pain, nausea or reduced appetite.
How does Crohn’s Disease Affect People?
Crohn’s disease can have a significant impact on daily life. Symptoms are often unpredictable and not always visible to others, which can make the condition particularly challenging to manage.
Flare-ups can occur suddenly and may affect a person’s ability to work, maintain routines, or take part in social activities.
As there is currently no cure, treatment focuses on managing inflammation and symptoms such as pain or digestive issues to help people maintain their quality of life.
To hear from Curaleaf Clinic patients and their unique journeys to manage pain, head to our testimonials page.
Medical Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been available in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor. It may be considered for some patients where standard treatments have not been effective or have not been well tolerated.
Medical cannabis does not treat the underlying inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Instead, it may be used alongside standard care to help manage symptoms such as pain, reduced appetite, or nausea.
Patients should continue to follow the advice of their gastroenterologist and maintain their usual treatment plan alongside any medical cannabis use. If prescribed, your GP will be informed to help ensure continuity of care.
Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Crohn’s Disease
Clinical research into medical cannabis for Crohn’s disease specifically is limited. However, real-world data, such as that collected by the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, suggests some patients notice a change to quality of life over time.
One study analysed outcomes from 116 patients with Crohn’s disease and other forms of IBD who were prescribed medical cannabis containing both THC and CBD[3]. These were administered as oils or vapourised flower. The dose of THC appeared to be an important factor in achieving clinically meaningful outcomes.
Over 18 months, some patients reported improvements in areas such as mobility, self-care, sleep, and anxiety. However, these findings are based on observational data and should be interpreted with caution.
While clinical evidence is still developing, real-world outcomes reported by patients are helping to shape safe and informed care. Treatment decisions are made on an individual basis by a specialist clinician, taking into account each patient’s needs and response to previous therapies.
What are the Side Effects of Medical Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease?
Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry shows that some patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, report side effects when using medical cannabis.
In one analysis, 20 patients reported a total of 155 side effects over the course of treatment. It’s important to note that this includes multiple events per patient over time, and most were mild to moderate in severity, such as fatigue and dry mouth. [3]
Any side effects should be reported to your prescribing clinician so they can be monitored and managed appropriately.
To find out more, check out our guide covering the side effects of medical cannabis.
Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Crohn’s Disease?
Medical cannabis may be considered for some patients with Crohn’s disease where other treatments have not provided sufficient relief or have caused difficult side effects. It is not a first-line treatment and is explored with a specialist as part of a wider care plan.
Access through the NHS is very limited, so most patients in the UK who are prescribed medical cannabis do so through private clinics. In the UK, only specialist doctors on the GMC Specialist Register can start a patient on medical cannabis.
If you’re exploring whether medical cannabis may be suitable for you, you can complete an eligibility assessment with Curaleaf Clinic. The team will review your medical history and, if appropriate, invite you to speak with a consultant experienced in gastrointestinal conditions to determine whether a consultation is the right next step.
If you have any questions, or need support with your assessment, please contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help.
References
[1] Crohn’s and Colitis UK (2022). New Research Shows Over 1 in 123 People in UK Living with Crohn’s or Colitis. Available at: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news-stories/news-items/new-research-shows-over-1-in-123-people-in-uk-living-with-crohn-s-or-colitis
[2] Molodecky, N.A., Soon, I.S., Rabi, D.M., et al. (2012) Increasing incidence and prevalence of the inflammatory bowel diseases with time, based on systematic review. Gastroenterology 142(1), 46-54.
[3] Gupta A, Erridge S, Graf V, Kelada M, Bapir L, Jesuraj N, Warner-Levy J, Clarke E, McLachlan K, Coomber R, Rucker JJ, Platt MW, Sodergren MH. UK medical cannabis registry: an updated analysis of clinical outcomes of cannabis-based medicinal products for inflammatory bowel disease. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Dec;18(12):829-838. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2024.2443574. Epub 2025 Jan 9. PMID: 39689344.
