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Writer's pictureCannabis Textbook

Cannabis Use Associated with Reduced Opioid Usage

Researchers in Israel have found that cannabis usage is associated with reduced opioid usage among individuals with chronic pain. The team performed a random sample of chronic pain patients who had been granted license for cannabis use over telephone and asked about their lifetime opioid and cannabis usage. According to the report:


Of the 100 participants aged 18–70 years (compliance 67% (aged >40) and 33% (aged ≤ 40y)), 76 ever used opioids. Of them, 93% decreased or stopped opioids following cannabis initiation. Ten patients (10%), 17.4% of the ≤40 y age group, met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Compared to those who did not meet the criteria, their lifetime depression was higher (80% vs. 43.2%, respectively, P=.042), and they were less educated (12.2 ± 0.6y vs. 13.5 ± 2.1y, p = 0.05).


In addition to their general findings of reduced opioid use, these findings suggest that younger age, depression, and other risk factors should be considered before recommending cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain.


The Journal of Addictive Diseases has more.

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