In 2020, scientific journals published approximately 3,500 research studies on cannabis, continuing a trend that has been ongoing for over a decade. These findings were based on an analysis of studies listed in the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed.gov database.

Since the year 2000, the number of reputable cannabis studies published each year has experienced exponential growth, as revealed by a 2018 study. This upward trajectory is believed to be linked to broader accessibility to cannabis and a growing interest in its therapeutic possibilities.

The research team from the 2018 study noted, “The results of the present study demonstrate an ongoing increase in the number of publications related to cannabis in general and to medical cannabis in particular. The spike in medical publications on medical cannabis… is impressive and encouraging.”

Their investigation revealed that, between 2000 and 2018, the majority of published cannabis research focused on psychiatry, neurology, and oncology. The areas with the highest number of publications included cannabinoids and their relationship with HIV, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting, and epilepsy. The majority of these studies were conducted by researchers in the United States and Canada.

The team also observed, “It is noteworthy that the significant growth in the number of publications on medical cannabis since 2013 parallels legislation permitting the use of recreational cannabis in the states of Washington and Colorado in 2012 and in Alaska and Oregon in 2014, and subsequently in many other countries around the world.”

Interest in cannabis, particularly its therapeutic potential, continues to soar. While there has been a substantial increase in available knowledge, numerous questions still remain unanswered.

Further scientific exploration holds the promise of shedding light on the vast potential of cannabis for various therapeutic applications.