Medical cannabis did not significantly affect quality of life in Illinois opioid alternative program

Quality of life averaged 2.86 (between "good" and "fair") across the full sample, with no significant difference between non-users (2.85) and cannabis users (2.86, p=0.92). Logistic regression showed cannabis use within the past year was not significantly associated with quality of life (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.85-2.08, p=0.21).

Same cohort as the psychological well-being study (RTHC-06372): survey of OAPP enrollees from February-July 2019. Cannabis users (n=626) vs non-users (n=234) were compared on quality of life using ordered logistic and backward stepwise regression.

Quality of life is a key outcome for opioid alternative programs. The null finding, like the companion psychological well-being study, suggests cannabis substitution is neither dramatically beneficial nor harmful for overall quality of life, though the "good to fair" average across both groups indicates room for improvement.

Taken together with the companion study on psychological well-being, the picture for Illinois' OAPP is one of neutrality: cannabis substitution appears to be a lateral move for overall well-being and quality of life. The real benefit may lie in reduced opioid use and its associated risks rather than in improved subjective quality of life.

Same limitations as RTHC-06372: cross-sectional, self-selected, no baseline, limited sensitivity of a single QoL measure. Pain being a qualifying condition may have created a floor effect on quality of life that cannabis could not overcome.