Support for Cannabis Access Among Adults with Chronic Pain
Adults with chronic pain are significantly more supportive of policies expanding cannabis access than the physicians who treat them, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. The study, conducted by researchers at Rutgers Health and other institutions, surveyed over 1,600 individuals with chronic pain and 1,000 physicians in states with medical cannabis programs, including N.J. What they found was a notable divide in opinions regarding cannabis legalization and access.
According to the study, 71% of chronic pain patients supported federal legalization of medical cannabis, while only 59% of physicians shared the same view. This disparity highlights the complex and evolving landscape of cannabis policy across the United States. Elizabeth Stone, lead author of the study and a core faculty member at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, emphasized the diverse regulatory frameworks surrounding cannabis use, ranging from strict prohibition to full legalization for both medical and recreational purposes.
Currently, 38 states and Washington, D.C., have authorized the use of medical cannabis, with N.J. and 23 other states (plus D.C.) also allowing adult recreational use. Despite these state-level reforms, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, classified as a drug with high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value by the National Institutes of Health.
Among the participants surveyed, a clear trend emerged: 55% of chronic pain patients supported federal legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use, compared to 38% of physicians. Additionally, 64% of patients favored requiring insurance coverage for cannabis treatment of chronic pain, while only 51% of physicians supported this policy. Stone noted that individuals with chronic pain tended to advocate for policies expanding cannabis access, while healthcare providers expressed more reservations about such measures.
Personal experiences with cannabis played a significant role in shaping attitudes within both groups. Patients who had utilized cannabis for chronic pain management exhibited higher levels of support for increasing access, whereas physicians who had not recommended cannabis treatment displayed lower levels of support. The study also revealed widespread endorsement for enhanced education on medical cannabis among healthcare professionals, with 70% of patients and physicians alike in favor of requiring medical schools to include training on cannabis therapy for chronic noncancer pain.
Looking ahead, Stone underscored the need for clear guidance on the use and effectiveness of cannabis in pain management. She emphasized the importance of addressing crucial questions related to product selection, dosing, and administration methods to ensure safe and effective treatment options for patients with chronic pain. However, federal restrictions on cannabis have hindered research efforts to fully understand its therapeutic potential.
Stone’s study, part of a project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, aims to examine the impact of state medical cannabis policies on opioid-related outcomes for individuals with chronic pain. By advocating for federal legalization and standardized regulations, researchers hope to pave the way for more comprehensive studies on cannabis’s efficacy in pain management.
