A new study suggests that states allowing medical cannabis sales through licensed dispensaries may see fewer prescriptions for strong opioids among cancer patients recovering from surgery. However, the same policy appears to coincide with a higher rate of hospital visits for reasons unrelated to cancer treatment.
The research, published in Cancer, compared opioid use among cancer patients in states with and without medical cannabis laws. Researchers found that legalization accompanied by dispensaries was linked to a 4.6% drop in prescriptions for strong opioids compared with states that had not legalized medical cannabis. At the same time, the data showed a 2.6% rise in all-cause emergency department visits or hospitalizations.
To carry out the study, investigators analyzed information from 27 states that had not legalized medical cannabis by early 2016. They tracked which of those states passed legalization measures from 2016 to 2022 and noted whether dispensaries were opened following legalization. The researchers tracked when legalization took effect and when each state’s first dispensary began operating.
In total, 13 states did not adopt legalization during that period, three approved medical cannabis without dispensaries, and 11 legalized with dispensaries in operation.
The team used data from the Health Care Cost Institute, focusing on privately insured adults. The study included 34,911 individuals between 18 and 64 years who were newly diagnosed with lung, breast, or colorectal cancer and underwent surgery within six months. Nearly half of the participants were between 55 and 64 years old. Many also reported other pain conditions such as arthritis, back pain, or neck pain.
During the six months following surgery, about 40% of the patients received at least one opioid prescription. One-third were prescribed strong short-acting opioids, while around 10% received weaker formulations. Roughly one in five patients had an emergency room visit or hospital stay not directly related to their cancer treatment, and 2.4% had visits tied to pain management.
The overall rate of opioid prescribing did not change significantly after states adopted medical cannabis policies. Still, the presence of dispensaries appeared to reduce the need for stronger opioids. In contrast, states that legalized medical cannabis without dispensaries saw a small 1.2% rise in prescriptions for weaker opioids.
Researchers believe that legalization may foster more open communication between patients and doctors about cannabis use, which could lead to more cautious opioid prescribing—such as substituting weaker drugs or using smaller doses for shorter durations.
The study’s authors cautioned that while these policies might influence how pain is treated, they could also carry unintended risks. They called for further research on the direct effects of medical marijuana on pain control, drug side effects, and overall recovery outcomes to help shape future evidence-based guidelines.
Medical marijuana providers like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) are likely to analyze these study findings in order to get some insights about the role that marijuana can play to enhance pain management among different groups of patients.
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