Medical marijuana is becoming ever more popular, especially for pain relief. With it, so are edibles and extracts but we’ll focus simply on cannabis as it’s becoming more accepted in general.
The Rise of Cannabis as a Pain Management Tool
As cannabis use increases, healthcare providers are becoming more interested in how it may be used to treat chronic pain. A recent study by Rutgers Health and various other institutions highlights this trend. After surveying more than 1,600 people with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians in states with medical marijuana programs, they found that 71% of patients and 50% of physicians supported federal legalization.
“Whether or not the evidence is there, people are using cannabis for chronic pain,” said Elizabeth Stone, a faculty member at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research. Elizabeth Stone – the lead author of the study – continued: “So, with this survey, we wanted to see where providers were at with that interest. The main takeaway for us is this need for education.”
Medical Cannabis Legalization and Federal Barriers
Medical cannabis has been legal in New Jersey since 2010. As of today, 38 states have legalized medical cannabis use. Additionally, 24 states – including New Jersey – have legalized cannabis for recreational use. Despite this progress, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. According to the National Institutes of Health, Schedule I drugs are considered to have the highest risk of abuse with no recognized medical use.
Researchers hope that studies like the one conducted by Rutgers will encourage further investigation into the medical applications of cannabis and its efficacy which could hopefully someday lead to federal policy changes.
Calls for Increased Medical Education on Cannabis
The study – published in JAMA Network Open – also found broad support for increased education for doctors prescribing medical cannabis. When it comes to requiring medical schools to train doctors on chronic pain management with cannabis for conditions other than cancer, 70% of patients and physicians were both in favor.
“Right now, to our knowledge, there is no formalized training in medical schools on cannabis for chronic pain,” said Stone, who is an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Part of the issue is that there’s just not a whole lot of research right now on the safety and effectiveness of cannabis for chronic pain. So, part of it is meeting that standard to provide education.”
Courtesy of Stone EM, Tormohlen K, Bicket MC, McGinty EE.
Cannabis Use Among Chronic Pain Patients
Despite federal prohibition, state legalization has opened the avenue for responsible adults to treat their pain with cannabis and this trend appears to grow in popularity. Among adults with chronic pain in states with legal weed, 3 in 10 reported using cannabis products to manage their pain, according to this 2023 survey. As more people turn to cannabis for relief, the need for more education and research in the medical community is becoming increasingly important.
Conclusion
The growing interest in cannabis highlights the need for further education and research. As more patients and healthcare providers advocate for its use, a deeper understanding of its benefits and risks is essential are essential.
Do you use cannabis in any form for pain relief? If so, what do you find works best? Share below!