A recent study examining the use of prescribed opioids in Utah after medical cannabis legalization in the state highlights a significant reduction in opioid consumption among patients managing chronic pain. The findings also show a substantial decline in opioid prescription-related deaths since Utah authorized medical marijuana in 2018.
The study highlights the increasing use of cannabis for pain relief and its potential to lessen opiate dependence. It concludes that cannabis could be a promising option as healthcare providers explore safer methods for managing pain, especially for individuals with chronic pain conditions.
The Utah study analyzed 186 chronic pain patients, using data from medical cannabis dispensary transactions and corresponding medical records. The information was de-identified and processed using a HIPAA-compliant system developed by MSA.
The participant group included slightly more females (54%) than males (45%), with the majority (87%) being white. Ages ranged between 23 and 89 years, with an average age of 49. Nearly all participants (98.9%) resided in Utah, while a small portion came from New Mexico and Oregon.
The patients in the study experienced various types of chronic pain. Over half (57%) suffered from musculoskeletal pain, while others dealt with visceral pain (19%), orofacial pain and headache (13%), primary pain (4%), neuropathic pain (3%), and postsurgical or post-traumatic pain (2%).
More than 84% of participants decreased their morphine milligram equivalents (MME), a measure of opioid use. In particular, there was a 53.1% average reduction. Before starting on medical marijuana, the mean opioid use was 3,832 MME per month, which fell to 1,798 MME per month after beginning cannabis treatment.
Patients with musculoskeletal pain accounted for the majority of those who reduced opioid use, while individuals with neuropathic pain experienced the most significant reductions.
Interestingly, the study found that patients with orofacial pain or chronic headaches showed a 20.6% increase in opioid use, while other conditions saw reductions ranging from 10.9% to 73.5%. Additionally, individuals who smoked tobacco before using cannabis reported higher opioid use after starting cannabis treatment. This suggests that specific conditions and behaviors may influence the effectiveness of marijuana as a substitute for opioids.
While the findings show promising results linking medical cannabis to fewer overdose deaths and lower opioid use in Utah, the researchers stressed the need for further investigation. They recommend larger and more diverse studies to validate the findings and improve marijuana-based treatment regimens. They also recommended future research to explore optimal cannabinoid dosages and their effects on different populations.
As more of these studies are undertaken and published, the full extent to which medical cannabis products from various licensed companies like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are helping patients will gradually be documented.
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