What Chronic Pain Patients Like and Dislike Most About Medical Cannabis
Chronic pain patients rated medical cannabis as 74.6% effective on average and most valued its health benefits and medication reduction, while cost, side effects, and stigma were their biggest complaints.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 984 dispensary members (two-thirds with chronic pain), the average self-rated effectiveness of medical cannabis was 74.6% on a scale from 0% (no relief) to 100% (complete relief). The average annual spending was $3,064.
When asked what they liked most, the top themes were: health benefits (36% of responses, particularly pain relief and medication reduction), the product itself (14.2%, including knowing the exact strain), and non-health benefits (14.1%).
When asked what they liked least, the top themes were: cost (28.4%), unwanted effects (21.7%, particularly lung-related concerns), social stigma (11.4%), and access difficulties (8.2%). The qualitative data revealed tension between patients who found cannabis highly effective but struggled with its cost, legal barriers, and the judgment of others.
Key Numbers
984 participants. Average effectiveness rating: 74.6%. Average annual spending: $3,064 (median $2,320, range $52-$52,140). 2,592 responses to "like most." 1,678 responses to "like least." Health benefits: 36% of positive responses. Cost: 28.4% of negative responses.
How They Did This
Online cross-sectional survey of New England dispensary members (N = 984) with open-ended questions coded into themes and subthemes. Both quantitative ratings and qualitative responses were analyzed.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding patient perspectives, both positive and negative, is essential for improving medical cannabis programs. The finding that cost and stigma are major barriers, even among patients who find cannabis effective, points to systemic issues beyond pharmacology that affect treatment outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
This study gives voice to the patient experience in a way that clinical trials rarely capture. The wide range in spending ($52 to $52,140 per year) highlights the financial burden of medical cannabis, which is not covered by insurance. The disconnect between perceived effectiveness and the barriers to access reflects the unresolved policy tensions around medical cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected sample of dispensary members who were active enough to complete an online survey. Patients who stopped using cannabis or were dissatisfied would be underrepresented. Self-rated effectiveness is subjective and may not correspond to clinical measures. Regional data from New England may not generalize nationally.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would insurance coverage for medical cannabis change patient experiences and outcomes?
- ?How does stigma affect treatment adherence and willingness to discuss cannabis with healthcare providers?
- ?What do patients who tried medical cannabis and stopped think about it?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Average effectiveness rating: 74.6%. Average annual cost: $3,064
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate evidence from a large cross-sectional survey with qualitative analysis, limited by self-selection and self-report biases.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2017. Medical cannabis access and costs have evolved since.
- Original Title:
- Chronic pain patients' perspectives of medical cannabis.
- Published In:
- Pain, 158(7), 1373-1379 (2017)
- Authors:
- Piper, Brian J(11), Beals, Monica L(2), Abess, Alexander T(2), Nichols, Stephanie D, Martin, Maurice W, Cobb, Catherine M, DeKeuster, Rebecca M
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01489
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does medical cannabis cost per year?
In this survey, the average was $3,064 per year (median $2,320), with a wide range from about $52 to over $52,000. Costs depend heavily on the amount used, product type, and local pricing. Medical cannabis is not covered by insurance.
What do patients dislike most about medical cannabis?
The top complaints were cost (28.4% of responses), unwanted effects especially on the lungs (21.7%), social stigma and judgment from others (11.4%), and difficulty accessing it (8.2%).
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01489APA
Piper, Brian J; Beals, Monica L; Abess, Alexander T; Nichols, Stephanie D; Martin, Maurice W; Cobb, Catherine M; DeKeuster, Rebecca M. (2017). Chronic pain patients' perspectives of medical cannabis.. Pain, 158(7), 1373-1379. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000899
MLA
Piper, Brian J, et al. "Chronic pain patients' perspectives of medical cannabis.." Pain, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000899
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Chronic pain patients' perspectives of medical cannabis." RTHC-01489. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/piper-2017-chronic-pain-patients-perspectives
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.