According to a survey of medical cannabis users in the state of Minnesota, 4 out of 10 feel that marijuana give them significant pain reduction.
There were 2174 patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program in the last five months of 2016 and the data was based on the self evaluations of these patients.
The patients were required to complete a pain, enjoyment, and activity (PEG) assessment on a scale of 1-10 prior to each purchase.
In the self reports, 42% of the patients had pain reductions of 30% or more. Almost one third of the patients had maintained a 30% or more pain reduction for the course of the study.
According to Tom Arneson, MD, MPH, who is the research manager for the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis, the study is a part of the state’s ongoing evaluation of its program.
He said to MD Magazine, “have spoken with several clinicians with patients enrolled in the program and they indicate the numerical data and patient statements included in the report generally matched their observations—that some patients appear to have benefited very much and that many were able to reduce or get off their opioid medications.”
“Our report adds to evidence that cannabis medications might have a role to play, but there is still too little known to have a clear sense of that role: for what patients, in what settings, what types of medical cannabis products, etc.,” he explained.
