A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that a significant number of pain specialists support the federal legalization of medical cannabis. Researchers at Rutgers University conducted this survey to understand the evolving attitudes toward cannabis legalization among chronic pain patients and physicians. The results reflect changing perceptions about the role of cannabis in managing chronic pain, underscored by growing evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits.
Survey Findings: Physician and Patient Support
According to the survey, 71 percent of chronic pain patients favored federal legalization of medical cannabis, while 59 percent of pain specialists shared the same view. This level of support among physicians is notable because it signals a shift in the traditionally cautious stance many medical professionals have taken toward cannabis.
Pain specialists, in particular, are increasingly open to exploring alternative treatments as the opioid crisis continues to underscore the limitations and dangers of conventional pain management strategies. With opioids contributing to over 70% of the nearly 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2022 , many patients and physicians are looking for safer, non-addictive options. Medical cannabis has emerged as a potential alternative, especially given the growing body of evidence suggesting its efficacy in treating various types of chronic pain.
Physician Experience and Its Impact on Views
Interestingly, the survey found that physicians who have no experience recommending medical cannabis were significantly less likely to support its legalization. This suggests that direct experience with cannabis in clinical settings plays a role in shaping more positive views about its potential. In states where medical cannabis is legal, many doctors report observing reductions in patient reliance on opioids, leading to improved health outcomes without the risk of addiction .
Increasing Cannabis Use Among Chronic Pain Patients
The survey’s results are consistent with previous data published by JAMA Network Open in 2023, which indicated that nearly 30 percent of chronic pain patients use cannabis as part of their pain management regimen. This statistic highlights a notable rise in the self-reported use of cannabis among patients with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy, where conventional treatments may offer limited relief.
Additionally, many patients use cannabis to reduce or eliminate their dependence on opioid painkillers. Studies show that patients who incorporate cannabis into their treatment plans often experience a significant reduction in opioid use. In one large-scale analysis published in The Lancet Public Health in 2019, patients using medical cannabis reported a 64 percent reduction in opioid use, along with improved quality of life and fewer side effects . This has led to a growing recognition of cannabis as a potential tool to address the opioid epidemic, a public health crisis that has gripped the United States for over two decades.
Strong Evidence for Cannabis Efficacy in Chronic Pain
The positive survey responses from physicians and patients are grounded in a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of cannabis for chronic pain. The 2017 report by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that there is “conclusive” evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabis and cannabinoids for treating chronic pain in adults. The report’s comprehensive review of available studies showed that cannabis provided significant relief for patients suffering from neuropathic pain, a notoriously difficult condition to treat with traditional painkillers .
Furthermore, a 2021 study published in Pain (the journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain) examined over 1,000 chronic pain patients who used cannabis as part of their treatment. The findings revealed that more than 60 percent of participants experienced a meaningful reduction in pain intensity, with 30 percent achieving a pain reduction of more than 50 percent .
Medical Cannabis vs. Opioids: A Safer Alternative?
One of the most compelling aspects of medical cannabis is its potential to serve as a safer alternative to opioids. While opioids can be highly effective in reducing severe pain, their long-term use is associated with a high risk of addiction and overdose. In contrast, cannabis has a much lower risk profile, with no recorded cases of lethal overdose.
A 2020 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that states with legal medical cannabis programs saw a nearly 25 percent reduction in opioid overdose mortality rates, providing real-world evidence of cannabis’s role in reducing opioid-related harms . Chronic pain patients who have access to legal medical cannabis are not only reducing their opioid use but also reporting fewer hospitalizations due to overdose.
Policy Implications and the Road Ahead
The survey data, combined with growing scientific evidence, indicates that the medical community is increasingly open to the federal legalization of medical cannabis. This shift could have profound implications for U.S. healthcare policy. Federal legalization would enable more uniform regulations, allow for more comprehensive research, and increase patient access to cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment option.
Moreover, the growing support from medical professionals may encourage legislators to reconsider the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, which currently restricts research and use. Some experts argue that reclassifying cannabis to reflect its medical utility could lead to a more balanced and informed approach to its regulation and use across the country .
Conclusion
As more physicians and patients advocate for the federal legalization of medical cannabis, it is clear that attitudes are shifting within the medical community. The increasing use of cannabis by chronic pain patients, coupled with growing evidence of its efficacy and safety, suggests that cannabis may play an increasingly prominent role in pain management strategies in the years to come. With over 59 percent of pain physicians already in favor of legalization, the future of medical cannabis may depend largely on whether federal lawmakers respond to this changing tide.
The full study, “Support for expanding access to cannabis among physicians and adults with chronic pain,” is available in the October 2024 issue of JAMA Network Open.
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