87% of Medical Cannabis Patients Report Using It as a Substitute for Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, or Illicit Substances
A survey of 473 Canadian medical cannabis patients found that 87% used cannabis as a substitute for at least one other substance, with 80% substituting for prescription drugs, 52% for alcohol, and 33% for illicit substances.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This large survey of Canadian medical cannabis patients revealed remarkably high rates of substance substitution. Among 473 respondents, 87% reported substituting cannabis for at least one other substance category.
The most common substitution was for prescription drugs (80.3%), followed by alcohol (51.7%) and illicit substances (32.6%). Patients under 40 were more likely to substitute cannabis for all three categories.
An important finding was that patients who substituted cannabis for prescription drugs were more likely to report difficulty affording enough cannabis, suggesting that cost barriers may limit the substitution effect. The authors argue this points to a harm reduction role for medical cannabis.
Key Numbers
473 medical cannabis patients surveyed. 87% substituted cannabis for at least one substance. 80.3% for prescription drugs. 51.7% for alcohol. 32.6% for illicit substances. Patients under 40 more likely to substitute across all categories. Cost barriers limited substitution.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey (414 questions) of 473 Canadian medical cannabis patients, available online and in hard copy in 2011-2012. Assessed demographics, medical conditions, use patterns, substitution behavior, and access barriers.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that 80% of medical cannabis patients reduce prescription drug use has enormous implications for the opioid crisis, polypharmacy management, and healthcare costs. If cannabis can safely replace even a fraction of prescription medications, the public health impact could be substantial.
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to growing evidence that medical cannabis may function as a harm reduction tool. The prescription drug substitution finding is particularly relevant given the opioid epidemic, suggesting cannabis may provide an alternative for some patients currently relying on opioids and other potentially harmful medications.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected sample of patients already committed to medical cannabis. No objective verification of reduced prescription drug use. Patients who substituted successfully may be more likely to respond. Cannot determine whether substitution led to better or worse health outcomes. Cross-sectional design.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does substituting cannabis for prescription drugs lead to better health outcomes?
- ?Would insurance coverage for medical cannabis increase substitution rates?
- ?Which specific prescription drugs are most commonly replaced?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 80% of medical cannabis patients substituted cannabis for prescription drugs
- Evidence Grade:
- Large survey with detailed questioning, but self-selected sample and self-reported substitution without objective verification.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016 using 2011-2012 data. Canadian cannabis access has expanded dramatically since full legalization in 2018.
- Original Title:
- Substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances among medical cannabis patients: The impact of contextual factors.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol review, 35(3), 326-33 (2016)
- Authors:
- Lucas, Philippe(11), Walsh, Zach(19), Crosby, Kim, Callaway, Robert, Belle-Isle, Lynne, Kay, Robert, Capler, Rielle, Holtzman, Susan
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01219
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do medical cannabis patients use fewer other drugs?
In this survey, 80% of medical cannabis patients reported substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, suggesting many patients use cannabis to reduce reliance on other medications.
Does cannabis help people drink less alcohol?
Over half (52%) of medical cannabis patients in this study reported substituting cannabis for alcohol, though whether this leads to better health outcomes requires further research.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01219APA
Lucas, Philippe; Walsh, Zach; Crosby, Kim; Callaway, Robert; Belle-Isle, Lynne; Kay, Robert; Capler, Rielle; Holtzman, Susan. (2016). Substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances among medical cannabis patients: The impact of contextual factors.. Drug and alcohol review, 35(3), 326-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12323
MLA
Lucas, Philippe, et al. "Substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances among medical cannabis patients: The impact of contextual factors.." Drug and alcohol review, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12323
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Substituting cannabis for prescription drugs, alcohol and ot..." RTHC-01219. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lucas-2016-substituting-cannabis-for-prescription
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.