Some adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report improved day-to-day functioning with medical marijuana, though evidence remains limited. This is also true for some children with ASD: In collaboration with a medical marijuana pharmacist at a licensed medical dispensary, Pennsylvania-certified adult caregivers can legally administer medical marijuana to a child with ASD.
“Patients with autism, and even some children with autism, may benefit from medical marijuana, and they often find that it’s helpful,” said Dr. Kevin Shea, pharmacy manager and pharmacist at Vytal Options’ Fogelsville dispensary. “I wish more people knew that it was an option to explore. Medical marijuana seems to have a profound effect for some patients.”
Whether you’re an adult with an ASD diagnosis or the parent of a child with ASD, keep reading to learn how medical marijuana may help. You’ll also learn how to register for Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program and find tips on medical marijuana consumption.
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition in which a person’s manner of communicating and interacting with others differs significantly from what is considered “normal.” Its symptoms typically emerge during early childhood development, though one can receive an ASD diagnosis at any age.
Since 2013, ASD has contained what were previously two separate diagnoses: Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The inclusion of these now-outdated diagnoses in ASD is one reason why the disorder is a spectrum. Another is that no two people with ASD have quite the same symptoms or level of severity, with each individual facing their own challenges and having their own strengths.
Common, but not universal, aspects of ASD include:
- Narrow, passionate interests
- Lack of interest in imaginative play
- Minimal to no eye contact
- Body language or facial expressions that differ from norms
- Frequent repetition of a set of sounds or gestures
Despite all the above often resulting in a child or adult with ASD being made fun of and feeling stigmatized or isolated, many people with ASD live happy, successful lives. Medical marijuana can be a part of that equation.
The science on ASD and medical marijuana
Although there are numerous anecdotal reports suggesting positive outcomes, the scientific literature on ASD and medical marijuana is limited. Here’s what we know about how cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two phytocannabinoids (plant compounds) that occur naturally in medical marijuana, may help manage ASD symptoms.
CBD and ASD
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders looked into how consuming CBD may affect children with ASD. The study found a reduction in hyperactivity and behaviors often labeled “aggressive” (adults with ASD often find this description offensive and stigmatizing) after consuming CBD. The authors also reported that children with ASD who consumed CBD showed improvements in communication, though the authors note that some of these results could have been attributed to the placebo effect.
“The existing scientific evidence favors CBD-rich products for younger patients, since we want to be especially cautious about THC exposure while the brain is still developing,” said Dr. Christy Ottavio, pharmacist at Vytal Options’ Kennett Square location. “CBD may help with things like irritability and sleep disruptions, but consistency really matters.”
THC and ASD
Dr. Ottavio mentioned the developing brains of children in part because there is evidence that THC impacts them negatively. This evidence, though, doesn’t entirely preclude THC’s inclusion in medical marijuana treatments for a child with ASD.
“I use caution with THC-containing products until the patient is about 25 years old,” Dr. Ottavio said, “but the evidence also supports a small amount of THC as therapeutically beneficial. Trying to find that exact balance of a patient having effective symptom management versus side effects can be tricky, but we try to have a bit of THC in the regimen.”
There is some potential scientific evidence to back the administration of THC to children with ASD. Though highly narrow in scope, a Cannabinoids study centering a child with ASD found that THC could supplement the behavioral therapies often used to treat autism.
“In some cases, I may also consider introducing a THC-dominant product, particularly when patients experience evening symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, or sleep disruption that are not fully addressed with CBD alone,” Dr. Ottavio said. “Low-dose THC, used thoughtfully and typically reserved for nighttime, may support relaxation and sleep initiation, with careful titration and monitoring for tolerability, especially in more sensitive or pediatric populations.”
How can patients with ASD get a medical marijuana card?
If you or your child have an ASD diagnosis, you can work with a physician to obtain certification for Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program and get an ID card. To do so:
1. Register with Pennsylvania. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) website to sign up for an account with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry. To register yourself, you must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT-issued state ID with your current address and a functioning email. Your name and address must be exactly the same as on your ID; mismatches can result in your card arriving later than planned. To register as a caregiver for a child, the same information is needed, but you will need to click on “Caregiver registering for a new patient” and fill in patient and caregiver information. Use info from the caregiver’s identification and a unique email for the account.
2. See an approved practitioner to get certified. All Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program patients must receive a certification from an approved practitioner confirming that they have a qualifying condition. This physician can be your current provider or a provider listed on the PA DOH registry as approved to certify. Since Pennsylvania allows for telehealth evaluations, you can take this appointment from home via secure video.
3. Pay the registration fee. Once you have a physician’s certification, go to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry registry. You’ll need to pay $50 to obtain your medical marijuana ID card (or caregiver card for your child).
4. Once you have your card, visit a dispensary. Your physical ID card will arrive in the mail. It will allow you to purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary in Pennsylvania. It is valid for one year, and you must renew it annually with a new physician certification. You’ll pay the fee again when you renew.
If you are the caregiver of a minor with ASD whom you hope to enroll in Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program, the process is the same, but with an important distinction.
“The parent or the legal guardian would obtain caregiver status for the minor,” Dr. Ottavio said, “and then, the caregiver would come into the dispensary to pick up the products. The child could come with the caregiver but doesn’t have to be present.”
“It’s going to be only the parent’s name on the caregiver card, not the child’s,” Dr. Shea said, “but when they scan the card in our dispensaries, it comes up with the patient and the parent together. Children under 18 are allowed in our dispensaries with that caregiver present. Once that child turns 18, they can get their own medical card or continue to have a caregiver be their representative.”
You can begin the process of enrolling in the Medical Marijuana Program via the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s registration page.
Medical marijuana products that may help people with ASD
Drs. Shea and Ottavio often recommend that their patients with ASD consider Ilera’s Hope 1, Hope 2, and Ease tinctures, as well as Organic Remedies’ 1:40 CBD Tincture.
Ilera Hope tinctures
Ilera’s Hope 1 and Hope 2 tinctures are designed specifically for patients with ASD. The Hope 1 tincture contains a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD, whereas the THC-to-CBD ratio for the Hope 2 tincture is 5:1.
“The Hope tinctures are formulated for patients who have autism, considering flavor, formulation, allergens, and cannabinoid ratios that best align with the needs of these patients,” Dr. Shea said.
Hope 1 has a mint chocolate flavor and Hope 2 a grapefruit flavor, and both tinctures are blended in 100% organic olive oil. Children often enjoy how these tinctures taste, and the ingredients are unlikely to trigger allergies.
Ilera Ease
Beyond Ilera’s tinctures made specifically for people with ASD, the brand’s Ease tincture is also a great option.
“One product I end up recommending for new patients in particular who come in with an autism diagnosis is the Ilera Ease 1:10 tincture,” Dr. Shea said. “It has a high proportion of CBD and very low THC. This minimizes exposure to the psychoactive THC while utilizing CBD’s calming and focusing properties.”
Dr. Ottavio also recommended the Ilera Ease tincture. “It contains 1 mg of THC and 10 mg of CBD per mL,” she said. “Its lower ratio allows for careful titration and assessment of individual response.”
Organic Remedies 1:40 CBD Tincture
Beyond Ilera’s product line, Dr. Ottavio often recommends another brand’s high-CBD tincture for patients further along in their medical marijuana journeys.
“As patients establish tolerance and require higher CBD doses for therapeutic effect, I frequently transition to Organic Remedies’ 1:40 CBD Tincture, which provides a more concentrated option that contains 1 mg THC and 40 mg CBD per mL,” she said. “It’s a cost-effective option for ongoing use,” she added, with $70 for a 30 mL bottle (and it is quite often listed on sale for less than $60).
Tips for managing ASD with medical marijuana
A modest initial dose is best, and that dose may need to be maintained for longer than with other qualifying conditions. Chances are that you’ll make adjustments along the way.
Start low and go slow
As when consuming medical marijuana for any condition, the classic “start low and go slow” advice applies. This tried-and-true guidance means to consume a small amount at first, then wait for your product’s onset time (your pharmacist will tell you how long this is) before consuming more.
Stay at a low dose for a while
Dr. Ottavio said that, for some patients, “start low” means “stay low” at first.
“I often tell patients they may not notice a difference for a couple of weeks, just because we want to cautiously approach that initial low dose and increase slowly,” Dr. Ottavio said.
“Depending on their age, the patient may fare best taking just one or two drops of a tincture at first to see how they react,” Dr. Shea said. For minors with ASD, he said, “it would be a quarter of a milliliter at a time, instead of a milliliter at a time like we would for adults.
“Dose increases may mean only adding a couple of single drops every five to seven days,” he continued, “which can be frustrating for patients and parents, tracking those little variances.”
Expect to make adjustments, especially at the beginning
Dr. Ottavio said that, although frequent adjusting of dosage and products may be necessary, it often proves challenging for caregivers and patients.
“Some patients find the trial-and-error process challenging because they’re used to the traditional approach of taking medication for several weeks before reassessment,” she said. “I tend to follow up a little more closely with my patients with autism spectrum disorder because, in some cases, medical marijuana may initially worsen symptoms. I encourage patients to stay engaged through this early phase and remind them that adjustments can be made promptly based on their response.”
Get support for medical marijuana to manage ASD symptoms
As a member of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program, you can get help from licensed medical marijuana pharmacists in managing ASD for yourself or your child.
“A lot of times, the feedback is honestly incredible,” Dr. Shea said. “Patients and parents see huge changes: less stimulation, less challenges leaving the home because they’re not wanting to move because of anxiety, being able to be separated from the things they have a strong affinity to. On top of that, a lot of times, there’s a big improvement in sleep.”
Book a consultation with Vytal Options after consulting a certified clinician to determine whether medical marijuana is appropriate for your situation.
