93% of Long-Term Medical Cannabis Users Say It Works for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

In a prospective survey of 129 long-term medical cannabis users with chronic musculoskeletal pain, 93.8% agreed or strongly agreed that cannabis improved their primary symptoms. 77.5% used daily or near-daily. 72.1% reported no cognitive or motor effects. 79.8% reported stable usage over 3 months with minimal dose escalation.

Prospective study of 129 patients certified for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania for at least one year (October 2022-December 2024). Patients completed the Inventory of Medical Cannabis Use questionnaire assessing usage patterns, dosing knowledge, efficacy, and cognitive effects.

Long-term data on medical cannabis use patterns are scarce. This study provides a window into how patients actually use medical cannabis over time, including the notable finding that most report stable use without dose escalation.

The finding that half of patients do not know their exact THC/CBD dosage highlights a gap between medical cannabis as prescribed medicine and how patients actually experience it. Topical formulations being most common (63.6%) suggests many pain patients prefer localized application.

Self-reported outcomes without objective measures. No control group. Pennsylvania medical cannabis program may not represent other states. Survivorship bias: patients who stopped medical cannabis were not captured.