Anxiety is the top reason patients use medical cannabis in Pennsylvania | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 207 medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania found anxiety was the most common qualifying condition (50%) and comorbidity (69%), with 95% reporting no adverse effects and 90% preferring vaporization.

Medical cannabis patients and providers, state legislators considering qualifying condition lists, and anxiety disorder researchers.

50% qualified for anxiety; 95% reported no adverse effects

What the researchers found

Anxiety disorder was the most common qualifying condition (50.1%) and comorbid condition (69.3%). Approximately 95% reported no adverse effects. 90% preferred inhalation via vaporization. More than 50% reported symptom improvement. Only 20% reported tolerance to their current dose. 70% found obtaining cannabis easy and 54% said cost was not a barrier.

Why it matters

Many states do not recognize anxiety as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. This study shows anxiety is the primary driver of medical cannabis use where it is permitted, suggesting restrictive qualifying lists may be misaligned with patient needs.

The numbers in context

207 patients. Mean age 36.7 years. 61.4% male, 84.7% white. 50.1% qualified for anxiety. 69.3% had anxiety as a comorbidity. 95% no adverse effects. 90% preferred vaporization. 50%+ reported improvement. 20% tolerance. 70% easy access. 54% cost not a barrier.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional convenience sample survey of 207 qualified medical cannabis users at a Laurel Harvest Labs dispensary in Pennsylvania. Survey covered demographics, qualifying conditions, usage, administration methods, adverse effects, tolerance, and impact on other substance use.

What this study cannot tell us

Convenience sample from a single dispensary. Self-reported outcomes without clinical verification. Selection bias toward satisfied customers. 84.7% white may not represent diverse populations. No comparison group.

How to read the evidence

Convenience sample survey from a single dispensary with self-reported outcomes and no clinical verification.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The dominance of anxiety as a qualifying condition challenges the traditional focus on pain and cancer as the primary medical cannabis indications and suggests the patient population has shifted.

Questions still open

Should all states add anxiety to their medical cannabis qualifying conditions? Are patients self-treating anxiety effectively, or would they benefit more from conventional treatments?

Common questions

What do most people use medical cannabis for?

In this Pennsylvania survey, anxiety disorder was the most common qualifying condition (50%) and comorbidity (69%), surpassing traditional indications like chronic pain.

Does medical cannabis have side effects?

In this self-reported survey, approximately 95% of medical cannabis users reported no adverse effects, and more than half reported improvement in their symptoms.

Read the original research

An Observational Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Indications for and Responses to Medical Marijuana Use in Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.

Journal of primary care & community health, 13, 21501319221129734

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Kimless, Debra; Caloura, Matthew; Markos, Virginia; Ryan, Jennie; Abbonizio, Sally; Janicki, Sharon. (2022). An Observational Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Indications for and Responses to Medical Marijuana Use in Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.. Journal of primary care & community health, 13, 21501319221129734. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319221129734