MS patients in states with legal cannabis were 4.5 times more likely to use it for symptom relief | Research

The takeaway

Among 548 MS patients across the US and Canada, cannabis use for symptoms was 4.5 times more likely in states with recreational legalization, more common in men and those with severe disease, and correlated with years since legalization.

Neurologists treating MS, cannabis policy makers, and MS patients considering cannabis.

4.5x more likely to use cannabis in recreationally legal states

What the researchers found

Cannabis use for MS symptoms was significantly associated with recreational legality (OR 4.55), disease severity (severe vs. mild: OR 3.41), male gender (OR 2.33), and years since legalization (OR 1.06 per year). Users were 2.5 times more likely to know their local cannabis laws.

Why it matters

The strong relationship between legal status and use suggests that cannabis laws directly influence medical cannabis uptake among MS patients, with implications for care as more jurisdictions legalize.

The numbers in context

548 respondents analyzed. Recreational vs. not legal: OR 4.55 (95% CI 1.70-12.14). Severe vs. mild disability: OR 3.41 (95% CI 1.23-9.46). Male vs. female: OR 2.33 (95% CI 1.10-4.94). Per year since legalization: OR 1.06.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 1,015 MS patients who attended an informational webinar on cannabis; 548 answered the key use question. Logistic regression analyzed associations with demographics, disease severity, and local cannabis legal status.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected webinar attendees may be more interested in cannabis than typical MS patients. Only 54% answered the key question. Cross-sectional design cannot show causation.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: large survey with multivariate analysis, though self-selected sample and cross-sectional design.

When this study was published

Published in 2020 in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

The bigger picture

The finding that Canadians were less likely to know their cannabis legal status than Americans suggests that even in fully legal jurisdictions, patient education about cannabis access remains important.

Questions still open

Does cannabis use actually improve MS outcomes, or do patients in legal states simply have easier access? How does awareness of legality influence the decision to try cannabis?

Common questions

Why does legality matter so much?

Patients in states with recreational legalization were 4.5 times more likely to use cannabis for MS symptoms. This likely reflects both easier access and reduced stigma, though other factors associated with legalizing states may also contribute.

Does more severe MS lead to more cannabis use?

Yes. Patients with severe disability were 3.4 times more likely to use cannabis than those with mild disability, suggesting patients with greater symptom burden seek additional relief options.

Read the original research

Cannabis use for symptom relief in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional survey of webinar attendees in the US and Canada.

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 38, 101516

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Hildebrand, Andrea; Minnier, Jessica; Cameron, Michelle H. (2020). Cannabis use for symptom relief in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional survey of webinar attendees in the US and Canada.. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 38, 101516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2019.101516