Medical Cannabis Users Report Better Quality of Life Than Non-Users
In a study of 1,276 participants, medical cannabis users reported better quality of life, less pain and anxiety, and fewer conventional medication uses compared to non-users, with longitudinal data suggesting cannabis itself may explain the differences.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis users (n=808) self-reported significantly better quality of life, lower anxiety, less depression, better sleep, and fewer ER visits compared to controls (n=468), and longitudinal follow-ups suggested these differences were associated with initiating or maintaining cannabis use.
Key Numbers
1,276 participants (808 cannabis users, 468 controls); 33% completed prospective follow-ups; users reported significantly better QoL, lower pain, anxiety, depression, better sleep, and fewer ER visits (all p values significant).
How They Did This
Longitudinal web-based survey study (April 2016-February 2018) comparing medical cannabis users to controls registered with the Realm of Caring Foundation, with follow-up assessments every 3 months; analyzed using negative binomial regression and linear mixed effects models.
Why This Research Matters
While observational, the longitudinal component showing changes when participants started or stopped cannabis provides stronger evidence than cross-sectional comparisons alone that cannabis use may be contributing to reported health improvements.
The Bigger Picture
These patient-reported outcomes, while subject to expectation bias, represent the real-world experience of medical cannabis users and could help guide the design of controlled clinical trials targeting specific health conditions.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Convenience sample from a cannabis advocacy organization; strong potential for expectation bias; self-reported outcomes without clinical verification; low follow-up completion rate (33%).
Questions This Raises
- ?Would randomized controlled trials confirm these self-reported benefits?
- ?How much of the reported improvement reflects genuine therapeutic effects versus placebo and expectation effects?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Medical cannabis users reported significantly better quality of life across multiple health domains
- Evidence Grade:
- Longitudinal observational study with self-reported outcomes from a cannabis-affiliated organization, providing moderate evidence subject to significant expectation bias.
- Study Age:
- Data collected April 2016 to February 2018.
- Original Title:
- A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Comparison of Medicinal Cannabis Users and Controls on Self-Reported Health.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(6), 548-558 (2021)
- Authors:
- Schlienz, Nicolas J(7), Scalsky, Ryan, Martin, Erin L(7), Jackson, Heather, Munson, Joel, Strickland, Justin C, Bonn-Miller, Marcel O, Loflin, Mallory, Vandrey, Ryan
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03502
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What health improvements did medical cannabis users report?
Users reported significantly better quality of life, less pain, lower anxiety and depression, improved sleep, and fewer emergency room visits compared to non-users.
Could these results be biased?
Yes. Participants were recruited through a cannabis advocacy organization, and self-reported health outcomes are susceptible to expectation bias. However, the longitudinal component showing changes with cannabis initiation and cessation strengthens the findings.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03502APA
Schlienz, Nicolas J; Scalsky, Ryan; Martin, Erin L; Jackson, Heather; Munson, Joel; Strickland, Justin C; Bonn-Miller, Marcel O; Loflin, Mallory; Vandrey, Ryan. (2021). A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Comparison of Medicinal Cannabis Users and Controls on Self-Reported Health.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(6), 548-558. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0096
MLA
Schlienz, Nicolas J, et al. "A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Comparison of Medicinal Cannabis Users and Controls on Self-Reported Health.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0096
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Comparison of Medicinal Ca..." RTHC-03502. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/schlienz-2021-a-crosssectional-and-prospective
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.