Black cancer patients more likely to view cannabis as more effective than opioids for pain
Among cancer patients at four NCI-designated cancer centers, Black patients were less likely to use opioids for pain and more likely to report cannabis as more effective than opioids, though racial differences were partly explained by socioeconomic factors.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Black patients were less likely to use opioids for pain (OR 0.66, p=0.035) and more likely to report cannabis was more effective than opioids (OR 2.46, p=0.03) compared to White patients. Race effects were mitigated after controlling for socioeconomic factors.
Key Numbers
1,220 patients across 4 NCI centers in 3 states. Black patients: OR 0.66 for opioid use (p=0.035). Black patients: OR 2.46 for viewing cannabis as more effective (p=0.03). Race effects not significant after socioeconomic adjustment.
How They Did This
Survey of 1,220 patients across 4 NCI-designated cancer centers in 3 states assessing perceptions, use of cannabis and opioids for pain, substitution patterns, and racial/ethnic differences.
Why This Research Matters
Racial disparities in opioid prescribing for cancer pain are well-documented. Understanding how cannabis fits into pain management for underserved populations could help address inequities in cancer symptom management.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that socioeconomic factors mediate the racial differences suggests that access barriers to opioids (insurance, provider bias, pharmacy availability) may drive Black patients toward cannabis as a pain management alternative, rather than pure preference.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional survey cannot establish causation. NCI cancer center patients may not represent all cancer patients. Self-reported perceptions may not reflect actual efficacy. Cannot determine whether cannabis substitution improves or worsens pain outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are Black cancer patients achieving adequate pain control through cannabis use?
- ?Would equitable opioid access change cannabis use patterns among Black patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- OR 2.46 for viewing cannabis as more effective
- Evidence Grade:
- Multi-center survey with statistical adjustment for confounders, but cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2024 survey from 4 NCI-designated cancer centers
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and opioid perceptions, co-use, and substitution among patients across 4 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.
- Published In:
- Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs, 2024(66), 267-274 (2024)
- Authors:
- Ashare, Rebecca L(3), Worster, Brooke(5), Nugent, Shannon M(3), Smith, Danielle M, Morasco, Benjamin J, Leader, Amy E, Case, Amy A, Meghani, Salimah H
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05094
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might Black cancer patients prefer cannabis over opioids?
The study found that socioeconomic factors partly explained the difference, suggesting access barriers to opioids (insurance, provider prescribing patterns) may push some patients toward cannabis rather than pure pharmacological preference.
Is cannabis actually more effective than opioids for cancer pain?
This study measured perceptions, not comparative efficacy. Some patients reported finding cannabis more effective, but controlled clinical trials comparing the two for cancer pain are limited.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05094APA
Ashare, Rebecca L; Worster, Brooke; Nugent, Shannon M; Smith, Danielle M; Morasco, Benjamin J; Leader, Amy E; Case, Amy A; Meghani, Salimah H. (2024). Cannabis and opioid perceptions, co-use, and substitution among patients across 4 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs, 2024(66), 267-274. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad027
MLA
Ashare, Rebecca L, et al. "Cannabis and opioid perceptions, co-use, and substitution among patients across 4 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.." Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad027
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and opioid perceptions, co-use, and substitution am..." RTHC-05094. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ashare-2024-cannabis-and-opioid-perceptions
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.