A recently released analysis of numerous medical cannabis patients within the United States reveals that PTSD, pain, and anxiety are the most common conditions qualifying individuals for medical marijuana programs.
The study indicates that 58.6% of patients reported managing more than one medical condition with cannabis. Among those dealing with multiple conditions, chronic pain and anxiety were the most frequently cited, followed by issues such as PTSD, insomnia, and muscle spasms.
The research was conducted by Leafwell, a specialized platform that facilitates access to medical cannabis cards, in collaboration with San Diego University’s Center for Marijuana Research and Duke University Medical School. Their findings, which were published in the journal Population Medicine Journal, were based on data anonymized from over 81,000 users of Leafwell in 32 states.
The analysis revealed a nearly equal gender distribution among patients using medical cannabis, with 51.1% identifying as male and 48.9% as female. Regarding racial demographics, 71.5% of patients identified themselves as white non-Hispanic, followed by non-Hispanic blacks (10.4%), Hispanic (8.4%), and other racial groups (7.1%).
Age-wise, 65% of the study subjects were 21-49 years old, with 25.4% aged 50 or more, and 8.3% under the age of 21. The median age of participants was 40.
The study also highlighted a shift in the conditions for which cannabis is used. While PTSD, pain, and anxiety remain the most prevalent reasons, earlier research pointed to cancer and multiple sclerosis as more common qualifying conditions in the past. This shift may reflect evolving medical cannabis regulations that now include additional qualifying conditions.
The study’s authors said the findings represent a further step towards understanding the complex co-occurring medical conditions associated with the initiation of medical cannabis treatment. The study concludes that understanding patients’ self-reported conditions provides valuable insights into how they perceive their health issues and the contribution of cannabis in their treatment.
A Leafwell blog post on the findings emphasized several critical implications for policy and healthcare, including the value of personalized treatments, the expanding role of cannabis in mental health care, and the necessity for alternative approaches to managing chronic pain.
Meanwhile, a report published in September by Leafwell estimated that nationwide legalization of medical cannabis could save nearly $29 billion in costs related to healthcare. That study found that states with medical cannabis programs experienced a 3.4% reduction in healthcare insurance premiums, translating to an average savings of $238 per employee annually.
Such studies highlight how the medical cannabis products manufactured by various enterprises like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) are helping the patients that opt to include marijuana in their management of the symptoms afflicting them.
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