All of us are well aware that many patients with a confirmed diagnosis of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) use either recreational or medical cannabis.
Clinicians are understandably concerned about prescribing stimulant medications to patients with ADHD who use any form of cannabis. This concern comes up all the time, and so, the problem we are discussing here is very important.
Note: On this page, we are not discussing cases where the diagnosis of ADHD may be incorrect and the symptoms may be due to chronic and excessive cannabis use. For the purposes of this article, please assume that the diagnosis of ADHD is correct in the patients we are discussing.
Clinicians worry that if they prescribe stimulant medications to patients with ADHD who use recreational or medicinal cannabis, either:
1. The stimulant medication will not be effective for treating the ADHD, or
2. The patient may misuse or abuse the stimulant medication.
Should stimulant medications be avoided in ADHD patients who use cannabis, and non-stimulant medications be considered instead?
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