Summary: A new study shows that an increasing number of chronic pain patients and physicians support the legalization of cannabis. However, the same study shows doctors are more hesitant than patients due to a lack of information and limited clinical evidence.
A growing interest in cannabis for managing chronic pain should not come as a surprise for anyone, especially considering the fact that the condition is widespread, affecting about one-fifth of US adults. One-third of them are living with high-impact chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a complex issue with multiple causes, many of them poorly understood. Though high-quality data is missing, it is well-known that a large number of cases of chronic pain remain poorly managed.
The high prevalence of chronic pain and its poor medical management are some of the reasons for rising substance abuse disorders and mental health issues in the US. Not only that, people are also looking for safer ways to use opioids for managing chronic pain.
In recent times, cannabis has gained much attention as a safer and more effective way to manage pain, though clinical evidence regarding its use in chronic non-cancer pain is limited. Nonetheless, people are excited about it, and many believe that cannabis can help them.
Of course, here we are not talking about CBD but rather about marijuana or medical cannabis. Unlike CBD products, medical cannabis is high in THC, causes euphoria, and is also a more potent option for many health conditions.
But that is not all, and there are some other reasons why interest in cannabis use for managing chronic pain is rising. Medical cannabis is now legal in most parts of the US, in 38 states. Not only that, even recreational cannabis use is legal in about 23 states in the US. It means that cannabis is now highly accessible.
In a new study, a survey of 1,600 people living with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians found that 71% of chronic pain patients supported the legalization of medical cannabis, whereas 59% of physicians also supported it.
Similarly, 55% of chronic pain patients supported the legalization of cannabis for recreation, while only about 38% of physicians supported it.
Of course, there are reasons for slightly lower support among chronic pain specialists and physicians. They are worried about its side effects or even worried about the beginning of a new kind of issue. Further, there is not enough clinical data to say anything for sure.
Cannabis is still regarded as a Schedule I controlled substance. This is despite the legalization of medical or even recreational cannabis in many parts of the US. It means that federal laws still view it as a substance of abuse. This means that it is still quite challenging to use cannabis in clinical practice or carry out clinical studies.
Keeping in mind that medical cannabis is largely legal, and even its recreational use is legal in many parts of the US, there is definitely a need for updating specific regulations. These regulation changes would help carry out clinical studies, especially regarding its role in managing chronic pain.
This study was part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded project exploring the impact of medical cannabis policies on people with chronic pain. Additionally, this study aimed to understand how cannabis policy-related changes might help reduce opioid use.
In the end, the authors concluded that much still needs to be done. Lower support for medical cannabis among doctors is due to a lack of knowledge and, thus, an increased need for training. Additionally, due to certain limitations, carrying out clinical research using cannabis is still very challenging, highlighting the need for changing specific legislation.
With these advancements, chronic pain patients could have better access to comprehensive care options that align with current scientific findings and regulatory standards. At Interventional Pain Management St. Louis, we are dedicated to providing innovative, evidence-based solutions to help manage chronic pain effectively and enhance patients’ quality of life.
Frequently asked questions
Do doctors support medical cannabis for chronic pain?
Most do, though fewer than patients. A 2024 JAMA Network Open survey of 1,600 people living with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians found 71% of patients and 59% of physicians supported legal medical cannabis. The gap was wider for recreational cannabis: 55% of patients backed it, compared with only about 38% of physicians.
Why are doctors more hesitant about cannabis than patients?
Physicians worry about side effects and about starting a new kind of problem, and there is not yet enough clinical data to say anything for sure. The study’s authors traced the lower support among doctors to a lack of knowledge, which points to a clear need for more training on medical cannabis in chronic pain care.
What is the difference between CBD and medical marijuana?
CBD products are low in THC. Medical cannabis, or marijuana, is high in THC, causes euphoria and is a more potent option for many health conditions. Interest in medical cannabis for chronic pain is growing because many people see it as a safer, more effective way to manage pain, even though clinical evidence in chronic non-cancer pain is limited.
Is medical cannabis legal in the US?
Medical cannabis is legal in 38 states, and recreational use is legal in about 23. Federal law still lists cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, treating it as a substance of abuse. That conflict makes it hard to use cannabis in clinical practice or to run clinical studies, which is why updated regulations are needed.
Source:
Stone, E. M., Tormohlen, K., Bicket, M. C., & McGinty, E. E. (2024). Support for Expanding Access to Cannabis Among Physicians and Adults With Chronic Pain. JAMA Network Open, 7(9), e2435843. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35843
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
