A study published today in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior found that more than two-thirds of patients using medical marijuana for seizures experienced improved seizure frequency, with most participants choosing products containing both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, examined real-world marijuana use among 1,940 patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program between July 2015 and December 2023.
Researchers analyzed dispensing records and patient reports covering marijuana formulations, doses, routes of administration, seizure frequency, other medications, adverse events, perceived benefits and affordability.
Across the study period, 67.6% of patients reported an improvement in seizure frequency.
Despite purified CBD being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain forms of epilepsy, patients overwhelmingly selected products containing both CBD and THC when given a choice. Overall, 86.8% received products containing both cannabinoids.
Among the 1,284 participants whose only qualifying condition was seizures, 79.5% were using a single marijuana formulation at their most recent recorded visit, while 87.7% used a single method of administration.
Most patients, 87%, received products with a high CBD-to-THC daily dose ratio. However, the amount of CBD being used was considerably lower than doses associated with the FDA-approved purified CBD medication.
The median CBD dose among patients was 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, roughly 75% below the 10 mg/kg/day recommended maintenance dose for the FDA-approved CBD product.
Doses varied substantially between patients. Among those using marijuana on a scheduled basis, CBD doses ranged from 0.001 to 33.1 mg/kg/day, while THC ranged from 0.002 to 12.6 mg/kg/day.
Many participants also continued taking conventional seizure medications. Among patients who reported their medication use at their final visit, 76.2% were taking at least one antiseizure medication alongside medical marijuana.
Researchers also found differences based on age. Pediatric patients received significantly higher CBD doses than other age groups, while adults 60 and older reported adverse events at a higher rate.
Overall, patients generally viewed medical marijuana as beneficial, although affordability remained a concern.
The findings provide a look at how seizure patients use marijuana outside tightly controlled clinical trials, including the cannabinoid combinations and doses they select when given greater control over treatment choices.
“While patients were offered a variety of formulations and doses, most ultimately remained on a single formulation and route of administration after trialing different options,” researchers concluded.
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