Medicinal cannabis can curb opioid use in patients with this chronic condition

One of the most common uses of medicinal cannabis is to treat chronic conditions, which affect approximately 40% of Americans annually. A new series of studies shows that medical cannabis not only makes life easier for patients, but can also curb opioid use.

Presented at the 2022 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, the studies cited medicinal cannabis as an alternative to opioids and the many problems their abuse has led to, particularly when discussing chronic conditions.

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The study had access to the records of chronic low back pain patients who were certified for medical cannabis. Their morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were measured twice: once before the patients had access to medicinal cannabis and a second time six months after they had access.

The studies found that patients’ MME decreased significantly after their cannabis prescription, with 38% of patients stopping opioids completely. After being approved for medicinal cannabis, patients reported feeling and functioning better.

“Our studies show that medicinal cannabis can be an effective treatment for chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis, and may help reduce opioid dependence,” explained lead author Dr. Asif M. Iljas. Still, he emphasized that more data is needed to fully understand cannabis and its effect on these conditions, and whether there might be possible side effects that are not evident in the study.

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Medicinal cannabis has long been considered an option for chronic conditions, at least on a theoretical level. Although more studies should be conducted to better understand the potential side effects of marijuana on this demographic, studies like this one mark important first steps that could help combat opioid-related deaths and provide safer alternatives for people with chronic conditions.