Cannabis in oral medicine: what should we know? — a narrative review

Cannabis sativa, commonly known as cannabis or marijuana, is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances worldwide, according to the 2022 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The growing global movement toward legalization is driven primarily by the plant’s potential medical and industrial benefits, rather than its recreational use. However, there is still a significant lack of understanding about its chemical composition, mechanisms of action, and physiological effects on the human body. This knowledge gap presents an ongoing challenge for healthcare providers. This narrative review compiles current scientific evidence from databases such as PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on the biological and physiological aspects of cannabis use and its implications in the context of oral medicine. Given the rapid expansion of cannabis-related research and its implications across multiple areas of healthcare, this review provides valuable clinical and scientific insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers working in both oral and systemic health.