How Many MS Patients in Nova Scotia Use Cannabis? A Survey of 220 | Research

The takeaway

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.

Read this if you have MS and want to know how many other patients use cannabis and what symptoms they find it helps with.

14% of MS patients actively using cannabis; stress and sleep top relieved symptoms

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

220 patients surveyed. 72 (36%) ever used cannabis. 29 (14%) currently using for symptoms. Most relieved symptoms: stress, sleep, mood, spasticity, pain.

How the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

This is a single-center cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes, providing preliminary-level evidence.

When this study was published

Published in 2004, before widespread Canadian medical cannabis access and 2018 legalization.

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.

Questions still open

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?

Common 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.

Read the original research

Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclerosis.

Neurology, 62(11), 2098-100

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

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.