Overview

• Nature Medicine published a randomized study of 820 adults with chronic low back pain testing a specific THC extract against placebo.
• Participants received 2.5 mg THC (product VER-01) or placebo for a three-month double-blind phase with follow-up out to one year.
• Reported pain scores fell more in the THC group than placebo at 12 weeks (about 1.9 points vs 0.6 on a 10-point scale) with additional improvement by six months.
• Adverse effects were generally transient—dizziness, somnolence, dry mouth and nausea—and investigators reported no major dependence at the tested dose.
• Patients also reported better sleep, physical function and quality of life, and French experts called the evidence unusually rigorous as regulators prepare guidance expected by spring.