A recent study from researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health reveals that medical marijuana may significantly reduce reliance on opioids among patients with chronic pain. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the study examined the experiences of 204 adults who were prescribed opioids and enrolled as new cardholders in New York’s medical marijuana program.
Over an 18-month period, the research found that average daily opioid use declined by approximately 22%. The lead author, Deepika E. Slawek, M.D., M.S., emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “Our findings indicate that medical cannabis, when dispensed through a pharmacist-supervised system, can relieve chronic pain while also meaningfully reducing patients’ reliance on prescription opioids. Supervised use of medical cannabis could be an important tool in combating the opioid crisis.”
The gradual reduction in opioid use is particularly noteworthy. Dr. Slawek highlighted that while a decrease of 22% may seem modest, it represents a safer approach for chronic pain management compared to abrupt cessation of opioids.
Potential Policy Implications
Senior author Julia Arnsten, M.D., M.P.H., who is the chief of the division of general internal medicine at Montefiore Einstein, noted that the study might lead to significant policy changes. “This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting a medicalized model of cannabis use, where pharmacists are actively involved in dispensaries and cannabis is treated like other prescription drugs. We hope these findings will lead to new policies encouraging the effective management of chronic pain through the use of regulated substances,” Dr. Arnsten said.
The study’s results contribute to a broader discussion regarding the role of medical cannabis in healthcare, particularly as the opioid epidemic continues to challenge health systems worldwide. By providing a regulated alternative, medical cannabis could serve as a pivotal component in addressing both chronic pain and opioid dependency.
As the discourse around cannabis continues to evolve, this research underscores the need for careful consideration of how medical marijuana can be integrated into treatment plans for chronic pain, potentially reshaping the landscape of pain management in the future.
