MS Spasticity
Approved in many countries: nabiximols (Sativex) is a real, studied THC/CBD medicine for MS muscle stiffness.
Neurology Strong
What the research says
Multiple sclerosis spasticity is the second best-evidenced cannabis use after epilepsy. Nabiximols (Sativex), a 1:1 THC/CBD oromucosal spray, is approved across Europe, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere for moderate-to-severe MS spasticity that hasn't responded to standard drugs. A 2023 meta-analysis of randomized trials confirmed it improves spasticity scores versus placebo, and long-term real-world data shows durable benefit for about half of patients who start it.
The US context differs — Sativex is not FDA-approved, so access here usually means unregulated flower, which is a much less precise tool than a metered spray.
The honest caveats
The approved medicine is a standardized spray with a known dose and 1:1 THC:CBD ratio — that precision is a big part of why it works and is safe. Leafing through dispensary flower for MS spasticity means no dose control and full-spectrum THC you can't dial in. If this is your goal, ask your neurologist about access to regulated nabiximols or standardized extracts rather than guessing with flower.
Compounds to explore
These are the compounds — terpenes and cannabinoids — that the research connects to this condition. They are starting points for reading a COA or choosing a product, not prescriptions. Each has its own guide with more detail.