One in Five Canadians With MS Uses Cannabis, and Half Would Use It If Legal | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 225 Canadians with multiple sclerosis found that 19.5% currently used cannabis, primarily for sleep, pain, anxiety, and spasticity, and half said they would use it if it were legal.

People with MS interested in how others with the condition use cannabis and what symptoms they target.

86% of current cannabis users with MS used it for sleep issues

What the researchers found

Researchers surveyed 225 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) attending neurology and neuropsychiatry clinics in Canada about their cannabis use and attitudes.

Overall attitudes were favorable: 54.3% approved of cannabis and 43.7% endorsed full legalization, while another 43.7% supported legalization for medical use only. About 19.5% reported current use, and 56.1% had used cannabis at some point.

The most common reasons for current use were sleep (86%), pain (75%), anxiety (73%), and spasticity (68%). Patients attending the neuropsychiatry clinic were significantly more likely to use cannabis for depression and pain management. If cannabis were legal, 50.2% said they would use it, suggesting potential use could more than double.

Why it matters

With Canada having some of the highest MS rates globally, understanding cannabis use patterns in this population helps inform clinical practice and policy. The high participation rate (91.8%) and the distinction between neurology and neuropsychiatry clinic patients add nuance to the findings.

The numbers in context

225 participants (91.8% response rate). 54.3% approved of cannabis. 19.5% current users. 56.1% lifetime use. 50.2% would use if legal. Symptom targets: sleep (86%), pain (75%), anxiety (73%), spasticity (68%).

How the study worked

A consecutive sample of 246 MS patients was approached at neurology (n=118) and neuropsychiatry (n=107) clinics. Of those, 225 (91.8%) agreed to complete a questionnaire covering demographics, disease variables, and cannabis-related questions.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-reported data may be subject to social desirability bias. The sample came from two clinics in one area and may not represent all Canadian MS patients. The study assessed reasons for use but not whether cannabis actually improved those symptoms.

How to read the evidence

This is a well-conducted cross-sectional survey with a high response rate, providing moderate-quality data on use patterns and attitudes.

When this study was published

Published in 2016, before Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. Use patterns may have changed since legalization.

The bigger picture

Canada has since fully legalized recreational cannabis (2018), which may have realized the predicted increase in use among MS patients. This study captured attitudes at a pivotal moment in Canadian cannabis policy and provides a baseline for tracking changes.

Questions still open

Did cannabis use among Canadian MS patients increase after full legalization in 2018? Is cannabis effective for the symptoms MS patients most commonly use it for?

Common questions

Does cannabis help with MS symptoms?

This study documented what symptoms MS patients targeted with cannabis but did not assess effectiveness. Other research has shown some evidence for cannabis helping with spasticity and pain in MS, though results are mixed for other symptoms.

Why did neuropsychiatry patients use cannabis differently?

Patients attending the neuropsychiatry clinic were more likely to use cannabis for depression and pain, possibly reflecting the higher burden of psychological symptoms in this subgroup. The neuropsychiatry setting may also attract patients more open to discussing substance use.

Read the original research

Attitudes to cannabis and patterns of use among Canadians with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 10, 123-126

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Banwell, Emma; Pavisian, Bennis; Lee, Liesly; Feinstein, Anthony. (2016). Attitudes to cannabis and patterns of use among Canadians with multiple sclerosis.. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 10, 123-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2016.09.008