Among 2,000+ Louisiana medical marijuana patients, pain levels dropped by an average of 3.4 points, and those who stopped prescription painkillers used more medical marijuana.
Pain management providers, medical marijuana program administrators, and policymakers evaluating cannabis access.
Medical marijuana patients reported pain reduction averaging 3.4 points on a 10-point scale
What the researchers found
Respondents reported lower pain levels with medical marijuana use by an average of 3.4 points on a 10-point scale. Patients using prescription painkillers were 1.5 times more likely to use medical marijuana less frequently. Those who stopped prescription painkillers had 26.5% higher odds of using more medical marijuana, suggesting substitution.
Why it matters
With the U.S. opioid crisis ongoing, evidence that medical marijuana may serve as a substitute for prescription painkillers supports the case for expanded access in states still debating legalization.
The numbers in context
Over 2,000 respondents. Pain reduced by 3.4 points on 10-point scale (Z=-35.77, p<0.001). Prescription pain users 1.5x more likely to use MM less frequently (OR=1.524, 95% CI: 1.114-2.074, p<0.01). Stopping prescriptions increased odds of more MM use by 26.5% (OR=0.735, 95% CI: 0.586-0.923, p<0.001).
How the study worked
Survey of more than 2,000 Louisiana medical marijuana program participants examining frequency and amount of use, with analysis of relationships between race, age, reason for use, prescription use, and program duration.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported pain reduction without objective measures. Survey participants are self-selected medical marijuana users, introducing bias toward positive outcomes. No control group. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation.
How to read the evidence
Large survey with significant statistical findings, but self-report design without controls limits strength of evidence.
When this study was published
2025 publication.
The bigger picture
A growing body of evidence from patient surveys across multiple states consistently shows medical marijuana patients report reduced pain and decreased use of prescription opioids. The Louisiana data adds to this pattern.
Questions still open
- Would a randomized trial confirm pain reduction of this magnitude with medical marijuana?
- Which forms of medical marijuana (flower, oil, edibles) are most effective for pain substitution?
Read the original research
Medical Marijuana and Opioid Usage: An Analysis of Patient Perceptions in Louisiana.
Substance use & misuse, 1-6
Citation
Hummel, Daniel; Sutherlin, John W; Hawkins, Ashley; Thomas, Kathryn; Corbett, Kym. (2025). Medical Marijuana and Opioid Usage: An Analysis of Patient Perceptions in Louisiana.. Substance use & misuse, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2584703
Explore the wider topic
- CBD Oil Quality Guide: How to Avoid Snake Oil
- Anxiety After Quitting Weed: When to Consider Medication
- Cannabis for Chemotherapy Nausea: What the Evidence Actually Shows
- Cannabis for Chronic Pain: What the Research Actually Supports
- Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Epidiolex Story and What It Means
- Does CBD Actually Work for Anxiety? What the Evidence Shows
- Does CBD Help with Weed Withdrawal? What Studies Show
- CBD vs THC: The Differences That Actually Matter
- The Proven Medical Benefits of Cannabis: What Research Supports
- Quitting Weed Before Surgery
- Weed and Medications: What Changes When You Quit
- Quitting Weed During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
- Quitting Weed While Pregnant: What You Need to Know
- Cannabis and Older Adults: Risks Seniors Should Know
- Cannabis and Breastfeeding: THC in Breast Milk