How Many MS Patients in Nova Scotia Use Cannabis? A Survey of 220
A survey of 220 MS patients found 36% had ever used cannabis and 14% currently used it for symptoms, with users reporting relief from stress, sleep problems, mood issues, spasticity, and pain.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 220 MS patients surveyed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 36% reported ever using cannabis for any purpose and 14% were currently using it for symptom treatment. Medical cannabis use was associated with being male, using tobacco, and having a history of recreational cannabis use.
The symptoms most commonly reported as effectively relieved were stress, sleep disturbances, mood problems, muscle stiffness/spasms, and pain. This range of symptoms suggested patients were finding cannabis useful for quality-of-life issues beyond just the physical symptoms typically studied in clinical trials.
Key Numbers
220 patients surveyed. 72 (36%) ever used cannabis. 29 (14%) currently using for symptoms. Most relieved symptoms: stress, sleep, mood, spasticity, pain.
How They Did This
This was a cross-sectional survey of 220 MS patients at a single center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The survey assessed prevalence and patterns of cannabis use, associated demographics, and self-reported symptom relief.
Why This Research Matters
This study added Canadian data to the growing body of survey evidence documenting substantial cannabis use among MS patients. The finding that stress, sleep, and mood were among the most effectively relieved symptoms suggested patients valued cannabis for psychological benefits as much as physical symptom relief.
The Bigger Picture
These survey findings aligned with the Alberta survey (RTHC-00145) in showing significant cannabis use among MS patients. Together, these surveys documented the reality of patient self-medication that existed alongside the formal clinical trial process.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single-center survey with potential selection bias. Self-reported symptom relief is subjective and unverified. The association between medical cannabis use and recreational use history makes it difficult to separate medical from recreational motivation. Small numbers limited subgroup analysis.
Questions This Raises
- ?Has cannabis use among MS patients increased since Canadian legalization?
- ?Do the symptoms patients report as most effectively relieved match what clinical trials have demonstrated?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 14% of MS patients actively using cannabis; stress and sleep top relieved symptoms
- Evidence Grade:
- This is a single-center cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes, providing preliminary-level evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2004, before widespread Canadian medical cannabis access and 2018 legalization.
- Original Title:
- Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Published In:
- Neurology, 62(11), 2098-100 (2004)
- Authors:
- Clark, A J, Ware, M A, Yazer, E, Murray, T J, Lynch, M E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00161
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis commonly used by MS patients?
This survey found 14% of MS patients were actively using cannabis for symptom treatment, with 36% having tried it at some point. Similar rates have been found in other surveys of MS patients.
What MS symptoms does cannabis help most?
Patients in this survey reported the most relief from stress, sleep problems, mood issues, spasticity, and pain, suggesting cannabis addressed both psychological and physical symptoms.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00161APA
Clark, A J; Ware, M A; Yazer, E; Murray, T J; Lynch, M E. (2004). Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclerosis.. Neurology, 62(11), 2098-100.
MLA
Clark, A J, et al. "Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclerosis.." Neurology, 2004.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclero..." RTHC-00161. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/clark-2004-patterns-of-cannabis-use
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.