Women, medical-only users, and cannabis novices prefer lower-THC products and edibles over smoking
Among 1,321 medical cannabis users with chronic pain, 76.5% used daily and 72.5% used 3+ delivery methods, but women, medical-only users, and novices preferred low-THC products, edibles, and tinctures, while only 2.6% chose products with medical professional input.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
76.5% used cannabis daily, 93.4% used 2+ administration routes, and 72.5% used 3+ routes. Women, medical-only users, and novices were less likely to smoke or vaporize and preferred edibles, tinctures, and topicals with low THC:high CBD ratios. Only 2.6% selected products with medical professional input, while 54.9% relied on dispensary employee advice.
Key Numbers
1,321 participants, 59% female. Daily use: 76.5%. 3+ routes: 72.5%. Medical professional input: 2.6%. Dispensary advice: 54.9%. Women preferred low THC:high CBD. Medical-only users preferred edibles, tinctures, topicals over smoking.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional online survey of 1,321 medical cannabis users with chronic pain (59% female). Examined cannabinoid preferences, administration routes, and product selection, stratified by sex, use intentions (medical-only vs medical+recreational), and experience level.
Why This Research Matters
The wide variability in how chronic pain patients use cannabis makes standardized clinical guidance nearly impossible. The finding that only 2.6% get medical input in product selection highlights a massive gap in clinical engagement.
The Bigger Picture
The cannabis-for-pain population is not monolithic. Sex, experience level, and intentions behind use all dramatically shape product choices. Clinicians who understand these patterns can have more productive conversations with patients.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected online sample biased toward engaged cannabis users. No clinical outcomes linked to preferences. Product availability varies by state. Dispensary employee advice quality is unregulated and unstandardized.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do different product preferences lead to different clinical outcomes?
- ?Should dispensary employees receive standardized training?
- ?How can medical professionals become more involved in product selection?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 2.6% get medical advice
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated moderate because the large sample reveals clinically relevant patterns, though the self-selected population limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019. Cannabis product diversity has continued to expand.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Use Preferences and Decision-making Among a Cross-sectional Cohort of Medical Cannabis Patients with Chronic Pain.
- Published In:
- The journal of pain, 20(11), 1362-1372 (2019)
- Authors:
- Boehnke, Kevin F(22), Scott, J Ryan(5), Litinas, Evangelos(6), Sisley, Suzanne, Clauw, Daniel J, Goesling, Jenna, Williams, David A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01954
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How do chronic pain patients choose cannabis products?
Most rely on dispensary employee advice (54.9%). Only 2.6% selected products with medical professional input. Experienced users chose based on smell, appearance, and cannabis variety.
Do men and women use cannabis differently for pain?
Yes. Women preferred low THC:high CBD ratios and non-smoking routes (edibles, tinctures, topicals) more than men, who were more likely to smoke or vaporize and choose higher-THC products.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01954APA
Boehnke, Kevin F; Scott, J Ryan; Litinas, Evangelos; Sisley, Suzanne; Clauw, Daniel J; Goesling, Jenna; Williams, David A. (2019). Cannabis Use Preferences and Decision-making Among a Cross-sectional Cohort of Medical Cannabis Patients with Chronic Pain.. The journal of pain, 20(11), 1362-1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.05.009
MLA
Boehnke, Kevin F, et al. "Cannabis Use Preferences and Decision-making Among a Cross-sectional Cohort of Medical Cannabis Patients with Chronic Pain.." The journal of pain, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2019.05.009
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Use Preferences and Decision-making Among a Cross-s..." RTHC-01954. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/boehnke-2019-cannabis-use-preferences-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.