How common is cannabis use among people with multiple sclerosis?
A survey of 1,000 MS patients in Oregon and Washington found 30% currently used cannabis, with most reporting multiple routes of administration and 64-78% perceiving it as beneficial; use was more common among younger, lower-income, and more disabled patients.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
30% currently used cannabis, 21% had used in the past, and 49% never used. Most current users (59%) used multiple administration routes (smoking, vaping, topicals, tinctures, edibles all at 35-46%). 64-78% of current/past users reported cannabis as beneficial for MS. Use was higher among younger patients (OR 2.24 for ages 18-40 vs >60), lower-income (OR 3.94 for <$25K vs >$100K), secondary progressive MS (OR 1.77), and greater disability.
Key Numbers
1,000 respondents; 30% current users; 21% past users; 59% used multiple routes; 64-78% perceived benefit; use higher in younger (OR 2.24), lower-income (OR 3.94), progressive MS (OR 1.77), more disabled (OR 2.05); perceived benefit highest in most disabled (OR 17.96)
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of MS patients in Oregon and Southwest Washington (states with legal medical and recreational cannabis). 1,188 surveys returned, 1,000 with sufficient completion included in analysis.
Why This Research Matters
With nearly a third of MS patients using cannabis and most perceiving benefit, clinicians need to proactively discuss cannabis use. The association with lower income and greater disability suggests patients with fewer resources and more severe disease are turning to cannabis, possibly due to gaps in conventional treatment access.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that patients not using disease-modifying therapies were more likely to perceive cannabis as beneficial raises a concern: are some patients substituting cannabis for evidence-based treatments? Alternatively, patients for whom conventional treatments failed may be more motivated to try cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional survey in two legal-cannabis states; rates may differ elsewhere. Self-reported use and perceived benefit. Selection bias: patients interested in cannabis may be more likely to complete the survey. No objective outcome measures.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are MS patients using cannabis as a complement or replacement for disease-modifying therapies?
- ?Does the relationship between disability and cannabis benefit reflect genuine therapeutic effect or desperation?
- ?How do specific cannabis formulations map to specific MS symptoms?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 30% use cannabis; 64-78% perceive benefit
- Evidence Grade:
- Large survey with robust sample size, but cross-sectional, self-reported, and from legal-cannabis states only.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021; cannabis use among MS patients likely continues to evolve with changing access and attitudes.
- Original Title:
- A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
- Published In:
- Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 55, 103172 (2021)
- Authors:
- Rice, Jessica(2), Hildebrand, Andrea(2), Spain, Rebecca, Senders, Angela, Silbermann, Elizabeth, Wooliscroft, Lindsey, Yadav, Vijayshree, Bourdette, Dennis, Cameron, Michelle
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03457
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How many MS patients use cannabis?
In this survey from Oregon and Washington (where cannabis is legal), 30% of MS patients reported current cannabis use, 21% past use, and 49% never use.
Do MS patients find cannabis helpful?
Between 64% and 78% of current and past users reported cannabis as beneficial for their MS. The highest perceived benefit was among patients with the greatest disability (OR 17.96).
Who is most likely to use cannabis for MS?
Younger patients, those with lower income, those with progressive MS, and those with more disability were more likely to use cannabis and perceive it as beneficial.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03457APA
Rice, Jessica; Hildebrand, Andrea; Spain, Rebecca; Senders, Angela; Silbermann, Elizabeth; Wooliscroft, Lindsey; Yadav, Vijayshree; Bourdette, Dennis; Cameron, Michelle. (2021). A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS in Oregon and Southwest Washington.. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 55, 103172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103172
MLA
Rice, Jessica, et al. "A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS in Oregon and Southwest Washington.." Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103172
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS i..." RTHC-03457. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/rice-2021-a-crosssectional-survey-of
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.