Overall, the survey found that people with chronic pain are more supportive of policies that expand access to medical marijuana than their doctors.
A recently published study investigated how two different groups of people perceive policies and regulations regarding medical cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain. Specifically, the researchers surveyed adults with chronic non-cancer pain and doctors who treat chronic pain in states with medical marijuana programs. The study, “Supporting Expanding Access to Cannabis for Physicians and Adults with Chronic Pain,” was published in JAMA Network Open in August 2024 and was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The study surveyed 1,661 people with chronic pain in 2022 and 1,000 physicians in 2023. Both groups were asked about their support for or opposition to several policies that would expand access to medical marijuana or strengthen regulation of medical marijuana. People with chronic pain were also asked about their cannabis use, and doctors were asked whether they had ever recommended cannabis to their patients.
The study highlighted findings from respondents with chronic pain, who reported more support for four policies that expand access to cannabis compared to their physicians: (1).
Federal legalization of medical marijuana (70.8% of chronic pain patients vs. 59.0% of physicians) Federal legalization of adult-use cannabis (54.9% vs. 38.0%) Mandatory insurance coverage of cannabis for chronic pain treatment ( 64.0% vs. 50.6%) states with medical marijuana programs that provide essential low-income subsidies (50.1% vs. 30.6%)
“Compared to physicians, adults with chronic pain reported higher support for policies that expand access to cannabis and less support for policies that further regulate medical cannabis,” the researchers said. . “People who used cannabis for chronic pain were most in favor of expanding access, while doctors who did not recommend cannabis to people with chronic pain reported the least support.” Specifically, more doctors supported requiring patients to enroll in state medical marijuana programs for treatment. Access to cannabis for medical use (49.2% of people with chronic pain and 68.1% of physicians).
Additionally, the researchers noted that “most respondents supported training requirements for medical students and physicians on the use of cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain.” Lead study author Dr. Elizabeth Stone commented on the results in a news release from Rutgers University (2): “We think this points to the need for future guidance regarding cannabis use and efficacy.'' ” she said. “Is it something that should be recommended? If so, are there different considerations regarding product type, usage, or concentration?”
References
Stone, E.M. Tormolen, K. Bickett, MC. McGinty, E.E. Supporting expanding access to cannabis among physicians and adults with chronic pain. JAMA net open. 2024; 7(9). DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35843 Rutgers. Chronic pain patients are more supportive of cannabis access than doctors https://www.rutgers.edu/news/chronic-pain-patients-are-more-supportive-cannabis-access-doctors (October 3, 2024) ).
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