IBD patients using medical cannabis reported fewer ER visits and less symptom impact on daily life, with euphoria as the most common side effect and serious adverse events being rare.
Gastroenterologists, IBD patients considering medical cannabis, and medical cannabis researchers.
35.2% vs 41.5%ER visit rate after vs. before medical cannabis use among IBD patients (p<0.01)
What the researchers found
Medical cannabis users with IBD reported fewer ER visits after starting MC use (35.2% vs. 41.5%, p<0.01) and less impact of symptoms on daily life, with most using high-THC products via vape pens.
Why it matters
As medical cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding how IBD patients actually use it and what side effects they experience is critical for clinical guidance.
The numbers in context
236 respondents surveyed. 61% took a biologic medication. 87.5% used high-THC products. 78.6% used vape pens/cartridges. 75.4% reported euphoria. Only 1.3% reported diversion. ER visits decreased from 41.5% to 35.2% (p<0.01).
How the study worked
Cross-sectional anonymous survey conducted October 2020 to January 2021 among patients at medical cannabis dispensaries in New York and Minnesota. Stuart-Maxwell test compared symptoms before and after MC use.
Who was studied
236 adults with self-reported IBD diagnosis who purchased medical cannabis from dispensaries in New York and Minnesota.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported data subject to recall bias. Dispensary recruitment may select for satisfied cannabis users. No objective disease activity measures. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation.
How to read the evidence
Cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes; provides patient perspective but lacks objective clinical measures.
When this study was published
Survey conducted during 2020-2021.
The bigger picture
This study adds to growing patient-reported evidence that medical cannabis may help manage IBD symptoms, though rigorous clinical trials with objective measures are still needed to confirm these perceived benefits.
Replication
Self-report survey; clinical trials with objective endpoints needed.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Would controlled clinical trials confirm the perceived reduction in ER visits?
- Are specific cannabis formulations more effective for particular IBD subtypes?
Read the original research
Medical Cannabis Use Patterns and Adverse Effects in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 57(8), 824-829
Citation
Greywoode, Ruby; Cunningham, Chinazo; Hollins, Maegan; Aroniadis, Olga. (2023). Medical Cannabis Use Patterns and Adverse Effects in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.. Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 57(8), 824-829. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000001782