Table 1.

A Literature-based Summary of Medical Cannabis-related Adverse Events According to the Involved Biosystems.27,30,3538,4058

Biosystem Adverse Events
CNS-Related: Neurological and Cognitive
(References: 27,30,3538,4051,56,58)
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Heaviness
  • Vertigo
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue/lethargy/somnolence
  • Impaired attention/lack of concentration/mental clouding
  • Disorientation
  • Impaired memory
  • Impaired psychomotor skills/incoordination/ataxia/higher rate of MVAs
  • Numbness
  • Slurred speech
  • Blurred vision/diplopia
  • Impaired hearing/tinnitus
  • Headaches/migraine
  • Hyperalgesia/increased pain
CNS-Related: Psychological
(References: 27,30,3538,4049,52,54,58)
  • Restlessness/anxiety/nervousness
  • Depressed mood/depression/dysphoria
  • Euphoria/feeling high
  • Feeling abnormal
  • Confusion
  • Disinterest
  • Dissociation
  • Hallucinations
  • Hyperactivity
  • Nightmares/weird dreams
  • Paranoia
  • Racing thoughts
  • Psychosis
Cardiovascular and ANS
(References: 27,30,3538,4046,53,55,58)
  • Myocardial infarction
  • CVA
  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Cardiac disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Hypotension/orthostatic/hypotension
  • Palpitations
  • Tachycardia
  • Sweating/diaphoresis/hot flushes/facial flushes
  • Red eyes/dry eyes/rash/dry skin
GI and Metabolism
(References: 27,30,3538,4046,53,58)
  • Nausea/vomiting/hyperemesis
  • Loss of appetite/increased appetite/thirst
  • Abdominal discomfort/pain
  • Anorexia
  • Bad taste
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Dyspepsia/epigastric distress
  • Glossodynia/hypoesthesia
  • Oral/mucosal ulceration/irritation/sore mouth
Other Mechanisms
(References: 27,30,38,4046,48,54,5658)
  • Infections and infestations: aspergillosis/pharyngitis/URTI/dyspnea
  • Respiratory: cough
  • Hoarseness
  • Tobacco-related (concomitant use with tobacco): chronic lung disease
  • Endocrine: decreased LH/FSH/GH/prolactin
  • Immunological: aggravated MS symptoms/MS relapse
  • Drug-drug interactions: elevated liver enzymes
  • Hepatobiliary disorders

ANS, autonomic nervous system; CNS, central nervous system; CVA, cerebrovascular accident: FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; GH, growth hormone; GI, gastrointestinal; LH, luteinizing hormone; MS, multiple sclerosis; MVA, motor vehicle accident; URTI, upper respiratory tract infection.

RMMJ Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal Rambam Health Care Campus 2020 January; 11(1): e0002. ISSN: 2076-9172
Published online 2020 January 30. doi: 10.5041/RMMJ.10385