A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that most patients expressed support for medical cannabis. Pain physicians generally support medical cannabis, but many physicians have more conservative attitudes toward federal adult use legalization compared to patients.
Rutgers University researchers conducted surveys of pain specialists and chronic pain patients. The questions asked about their attitudes toward medical cannabis use and law reform. Respondents included 1,661 adult patients with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians who treated chronic pain in states with legalized medical cannabis. Patients had an average age of 52.3. 53.4% were women, and 46.6% were men. The patients completed a survey using the NORC AmeriSpeak panel. The researchers surveyed the physicians using the Healthcare Global physician survey panel.
Data analysis showed significant support in each of the two participant groups. 71% of patients and 59% of physicians supported medical cannabis legalization. Doctors who had limited experience recommending medical cannabis expressed less support for legalization than physicians with medical cannabis experience. Most respondents advocated for training requirements for medical students and physicians and enforcing clear policies for state medical cannabis patient registry practices.
Analysis of survey data revealed that patients were more likely to be in favor of four policies expanding access to cannabis:
Other research studies have also highlighted similar data on patient and physician perspectives on medical cannabis. A 2023 study found that roughly one in three patients with chronic pain consume cannabis for its analgesic effects. Many of these patients expressed that they choose cannabis as an alternative to opioid-based treatments. A 2023 National Institutes of Health survey also found an association between medical cannabis use for chronic pain and a reduction in prescription opioid dosages.
The researchers emphasized the need for additional research on medical cannabis use for pain management and the policies impacting patient access to regulated medical cannabis products.
Sources: Cannabis, JAMA Network Open, NORML, NORML
