Are there actual studys on weed right now?
Executive summary
Yes — hundreds to thousands of peer‑reviewed cannabis studies are being published now: advocacy tallies say more than 4,000 cannabis papers appeared in 2025 and PubMed lists “over 57,000” marijuana‑related papers historically (NORML tally reported by Filter) [1]. Major research bodies and journals — including NIDA’s new research roadmap and high‑profile papers in JAMA Network Open and Annals venues — show active, diverse study streams on brain effects, clinical uses, policy and product safety [2] [3] [4] [5].
1. Researchers are publishing at scale — here’s the count
Multiple sources report very large volumes of recent cannabis research: NORML’s keyword search of PubMed was cited as showing “over 57,000 scientific papers on marijuana” historically, and an analysis stated that for the fifth year running researchers published more than 4,000 cannabis papers in 2025 (reported by Filter) [1]. Industry summaries and specialist outlets similarly compile dozens of topical studies across 2025 [6] [4].
2. Topics are broad: brain, clinical therapy, public health, policy
Recent high‑profile studies and reviews span cognition and brain imaging, clinical trials, epidemiology and policy work. A large JAMA Network Open study examined recent and lifetime cannabis use and brain function during cognitive tasks (described as “the largest study ever done on cannabis and brain function”) [3]. Reviews in venues summarized by ScienceDaily and Annals/ACP link high‑THC products to increased psychosis and cannabis use disorder risks, showing a simultaneous focus on benefits and harms [5] [7].
3. Funders and research agenda: NIDA’s roadmap signals focused investment
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse published “a new roadmap for cannabis and cannabis policy research,” signaling organized federal interest in expanding and coordinating studies on medical uses, harms and policy consequences [2]. That roadmap indicates institutional priorities rather than a single conclusion about cannabis safety or benefit [2].
4. Clinical and real‑world studies are emerging but limits remain
Field and clinical studies are appearing — for example, a prospective single‑center study on vaporized cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis and cohort analyses on cannabis use disorder and cancer mortality were published in 2025 [4]. However, major reviews and the research community emphasize limitations in available designs and call for larger, longer, better‑controlled trials to answer causation and long‑term effects questions [5] [3].
5. Advocacy groups and journals both amplify findings — check agendas
NORML’s tally of publication counts and Filter’s story rely on keyword searches and advocacy framing; they highlight volume but also serve NORML’s mission to document research attention to cannabis [1]. Industry outlets and trade summaries (The Marijuana Herald, Cannabis Science & Technology) collect notable studies for readers; these curation choices reflect editorial and sector interests [6] [4]. Balance findings against possible advocacy or commercial agendas when interpreting prominence.
6. What mainstream summaries are saying about risk vs. benefit
ScienceDaily and medical society summaries (e.g., American College of Physicians coverage) report that higher‑potency THC products are associated with worse mental‑health outcomes such as psychosis and cannabis use disorder, while also noting evidence limitations and calls for better studies before firm clinical guidance can be issued [5] [7]. Other reports highlight therapeutic signals (e.g., CBD interest, MS symptom studies) but stop short of declaring broad clinical efficacy across conditions [4] [3].
7. Policy and market change is driving more study — and vice versa
Federal and state policy movements — DEA rescheduling hearings, state retail rollout debates and Medicare considerations for CBD — are both prompting and being informed by research outputs and reviews [8] [9]. Industry forecasts and trade reporting underline how regulation, markets and scientific questions are tightly linked in 2025 [10] [11].
8. How to find the primary studies yourself
Search PubMed or specialist journals noted above (Journal of Cannabis Research, JAMA Network Open, Annals of Internal Medicine) for 2025 papers; advocacy tallies and research roundups list specific titles and themes to track down original articles [12] [1] [4]. Use NIDA’s roadmap for prioritized topics if you want to follow funded research directions [2].
Limitations and final note: available sources document many studies and systematic attention in 2025 but also repeatedly state evidence gaps and methodologic limits; summaries and advocacy tallies amplify volume but do not replace reading original peer‑reviewed papers for clinical conclusions [1] [5] [3].