One in Five Canadians With MS Uses Cannabis, and Half Would Use It If Legal
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 86% of current cannabis users with MS used it for sleep issues
- Evidence Grade:
- This is a well-conducted cross-sectional survey with a high response rate, providing moderate-quality data on use patterns and attitudes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016, before Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. Use patterns may have changed since legalization.
- Original Title:
- Attitudes to cannabis and patterns of use among Canadians with multiple sclerosis.
- Published In:
- Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 10, 123-126 (2016)
- Authors:
- Banwell, Emma(2), Pavisian, Bennis(4), Lee, Liesly, Feinstein, Anthony
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01095
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01095APA
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
MLA
Banwell, Emma, et al. "Attitudes to cannabis and patterns of use among Canadians with multiple sclerosis.." Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2016.09.008
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Attitudes to cannabis and patterns of use among Canadians wi..." RTHC-01095. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/banwell-2016-attitudes-to-cannabis-and
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.