What Chronic Pain Patients Like and Dislike Most About Medical Cannabis | Research

The takeaway

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.

Readers considering medical cannabis for chronic pain and wanting to hear from other patients.

Average effectiveness rating: 74.6%. Average annual cost: $3,064

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Moderate evidence from a large cross-sectional survey with qualitative analysis, limited by self-selection and self-report biases.

When this study was published

Published in 2017. Medical cannabis access and costs have evolved since.

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.

Questions still open

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?

Common 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%).

Read the original research

Chronic pain patients' perspectives of medical cannabis.

Pain, 158(7), 1373-1379

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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