One in Five People with MS Uses Cannabis for Symptom Relief | Research

The takeaway

In a survey of 3,249 people with multiple sclerosis, 20% were currently using cannabis to treat symptoms, most commonly spasticity, pain, and sleep problems.

Neurologists, MS patients, medical cannabis researchers

20% of MS patients surveyed currently use cannabis for symptom management

What the researchers found

Among 3,249 respondents from the NARCOMS Registry, 31% had ever used cannabis for MS symptoms and 20% were current users, while 69% who had never tried it cited insufficient efficacy data (40%), safety concerns (27%), and legality (25%) as barriers.

Why it matters

Despite limited clinical evidence, a substantial portion of MS patients are turning to cannabis for symptom management, suggesting a gap between patient needs and available evidence-based treatments.

The numbers in context

6,934 invited; 3,249 responded; 31% ever used cannabis for MS; 20% current users; spasticity (80%), pain (69%), sleep (61%) most common targets; barriers: insufficient efficacy data (40%), safety concerns (27%), legality (25%), cost (18%).

How the study worked

Cross-sectional supplemental survey of participants aged 18+ from the NARCOMS Registry (March-April 2020), reported with descriptive statistics.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected respondents from a patient registry; potential selection bias toward those with stronger opinions about cannabis; self-reported use without verification.

How to read the evidence

Large survey from established patient registry provides moderate-quality descriptive data, limited by self-selection and self-report.

When this study was published

Survey conducted March-April 2020.

The bigger picture

The high rate of cannabis use among MS patients, combined with common barriers like legal concerns and lack of efficacy data, suggests that clinical research on cannabis for MS symptoms has not kept pace with patient demand.

Questions still open

Do MS patients who use cannabis experience measurable improvements in spasticity and pain compared to those who don't? Would access to more efficacy data change the usage rates among those who cited it as a barrier?

Common questions

What MS symptoms are people trying to treat with cannabis?

The most common symptoms targeted were spasticity (80%), pain (69%), and sleep problems (61%).

Why do some MS patients avoid using cannabis?

Among those who had never used cannabis for MS, 40% cited insufficient efficacy data, 27% had safety concerns, 25% were concerned about legality, and 18% cited cost.

Read the original research

A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis.

International journal of MS care, 23(6), 245-252

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Salter, Amber; Fox, Robert J; Cutter, Gary; Marrie, Ruth Ann; Nichol, Kate E; Steinerman, Joshua R; Smith, Karry M J. (2021). A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis.. International journal of MS care, 23(6), 245-252. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2021-036