Why Medical Marijuana Works for Some People — But Not Others

Ryan Manser
Nov 19
5 min read

Medical marijuana has become a popular option for chronic pain, anxiety, sleep challenges, inflammation, and other qualifying conditions. But while many patients experience meaningful relief, others report minimal improvement — even when using high-quality products.

This leads to one of the most common questions patients ask:

“Why does medical marijuana work for some people but not for me?”

The truth is that cannabis affects every person differently. Your biology, your condition, your tolerance level, and the type of product you choose can all play a major role.

This in-depth guide explains:

Why cannabis affects individuals differently
Factors that influence your personal response
Common reasons medical marijuana may feel ineffective
Educational tips to help patients improve their results
When to talk to a medical marijuana doctor

1. Everyone’s Endocannabinoid System Is Different

Medical marijuana works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — a network of receptors in the body that help regulate pain, inflammation, mood, sleep, appetite, and more.

But here’s the key:

👉 Everyone’s ECS functions differently.

Some people naturally produce more endocannabinoids, while others have fewer receptors or more sensitive receptors. These variations affect:

How strongly you feel THC or CBD
Whether you feel relief quickly or slowly
How long effects last
Whether psychoactive effects feel mild or intense

This is the same reason some people feel caffeine strongly while others barely notice it — individual biology matters.

2. Product Type Strongly Shapes Your Experience

Even if two patients have the same condition, they may respond very differently based on the form of medical marijuana they use.

Different product types absorb differently:

Inhalation (vaping or smoking)

Fastest onset
Shortest duration
Good for sudden symptoms

Edibles

Longest duration
Slower onset
Stronger body-heavy effects

Tinctures

Balanced onset
Easy dose control

Topicals

No psychoactive effects
Localized relief only

If a product’s absorption doesn’t match your needs, it may feel ineffective even if it’s high quality.

For example:A patient taking edibles for sudden breakthrough pain may feel disappointed because the onset is too slow.

Another patient using vaping for nighttime pain may experience relief — but not long enough to sleep through the night.

Matching the product type to the symptom pattern can make a major difference.

3. THC:CBD Ratios Matter More Than Most People Think

THC and CBD interact with the body differently:

THC: stronger symptom-relief potential but can be intense
CBD: calming, anti-inflammatory, helps reduce side effects

Your ratio can make or break your experience.

Examples:

A patient with neuropathy may need higher THC for relief.
A patient with inflammation may do better with balanced THC:CBD.
A patient sensitive to THC may benefit more from CBD-dominant products.

If your current ratio doesn’t match your needs, the product might feel ineffective.

4. Tolerance Plays a Major Role

Some patients have naturally higher or lower sensitivity to THC.

Signs you may have higher THC tolerance:

Needing larger doses for relief
Feeling muted effects from products others find strong
Shorter relief duration

Signs of low tolerance:

Feeling strong effects from small doses
Frequent dizziness or grogginess
Difficulty finding a comfortable dose

Tolerance varies due to:

Frequency of use
Genetics
Metabolism
Product potency

Patients often see big improvements by adjusting frequency, rotating product types, or exploring different ratios.

5. The Right Dose May Be Different Than Expected

Some patients take too little cannabis — others take too much.

Medical marijuana doesn’t follow a simple “more is better” pattern. In fact, too large a dose of THC can make symptoms feel worse, especially when dealing with anxiety or sleep issues.

For some patients:

Low doses may provide calm, clarity, and relief.

For others:

Higher doses may be needed for deep pain or severe symptoms.

If you’re not finding relief, dosage adjustments — guided by a medical professional — may be necessary.

6. Product Quality and Consistency Vary

Another reason cannabis may feel inconsistent is variability between products:

Different harvest batches have different cannabinoid levels
Terpene profiles vary from strain to strain
Edible formulations differ by manufacturer
Some products absorb more efficiently than others

Buying from licensed dispensaries and checking lab reports can help ensure consistency.

7. Your Medical Condition Impacts How Cannabis Works for You

Cannabis may work differently depending on your condition:

Works well for many:

Chronic pain
Inflammation
Muscle spasms
Sleep issues
Anxiety (for some)

More complex responses:

Neuropathic pain
Severe anxiety
Migraines
Autoimmune disorders

Some symptoms respond quickly, while others improve gradually over time.

8. Other Medications Can Influence How Cannabis Feels

Certain medications may:

Strengthen the effects of cannabis
Reduce its perceived effectiveness
Change how quickly THC or CBD is metabolized

This is especially common with:

Pain medications
Sleep medications
Anti-anxiety prescriptions
Antidepressants

Always talk to your provider about current medications.

9. Expectations and mindset can affect experience

Some patients expect immediate or dramatic results — but cannabis often works best gradually, especially for inflammation, sleep, or chronic pain.

Consistency matters.

Many patients report:

Growing benefits over several days or weeks
More stable results once they find the right ratio
Improved sleep patterns over time

Educational Tips to Improve Your Results

Here are non-medical, educational approaches patients often explore:

1. Try different product types

Switching from edibles to tinctures (or vice versa) can significantly change your experience.

2. Explore different THC:CBD ratios

Balanced or CBD-dominant products may feel better for some conditions.

3. Track product effects

Keeping notes on dosage, timing, and results helps identify what works.

4. Start low and go slow

Gradual adjustments support safer, more predictable experiences.

5. Ask dispensary staff about terpene profiles

Terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and linalool can influence relief.

6. Discuss tolerance with your provider

Sometimes even small adjustments can restore effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why doesn’t cannabis help my pain?

A: You may need a different product type, ratio, or dosage — or your ECS may respond differently.

Q: Is it normal for cannabis to stop working over time?

A: Yes — tolerance is common and can be managed with proper guidance.

Q: Do all strains work the same way?

A: No. Terpenes and ratios greatly influence effects.

Q: Should I try higher THC?

A: Not always. Balanced or lower THC products may provide better results with fewer side effects.

Bottom Line

Medical marijuana works differently for everyone. Your biology, tolerance level, condition, product type, and dosing approach all shape your experience. Understanding these factors can help you make more informed, safer decisions about the products you choose.

At drkennabis, we help patients in Michigan, Ohio, and Oklahoma explore their options and learn what may work best for their needs — all through same-day telemedicine appointments.

👉 Book your appointment today and get personalized guidance from a licensed medical professional.