Most endometriosis patients using cannabis obtained it illicitly despite legal access
Among 237 endometriosis patients using cannabis in Australia and New Zealand, 72-88% obtained it illicitly, with many reporting over 50% reduction in pain medication use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
72% of Australian and 88.2% of NZ endometriosis patients using cannabis obtained it illicitly rather than through legal medical channels. Substantial medication substitution effects were reported: 66.1% reduced opioids by over 50%, 63.1% reduced non-opioid pain medication by over 50%.
Key Numbers
237 respondents. 72% Australian and 88.2% NZ respondents used illicit cannabis. Only 23.1% Australian and 5.9% NZ accessed through prescription. Over 50% reduction reported in: opioid use (66.1%), non-opioid analgesics (63.1%), antineuropathics (61.7%), antianxiety medications (47.9%). 18.8% Australian and 23.5% NZ respondents did not disclose cannabis use to doctors.
How They Did This
Anonymous cross-sectional online survey distributed through social media via endometriosis advocacy groups. 237 respondents with medical diagnosis of endometriosis who reported cannabis use. Assessed legal vs illicit usage, access pathways, and healthcare provider interactions.
Why This Research Matters
Despite legal medicinal cannabis being available in both countries, the vast majority of endometriosis patients using cannabis do so without medical supervision, creating potential safety risks from drug interactions and unsupervised medication changes.
The Bigger Picture
This study reveals a significant gap between the availability of legal medicinal cannabis and actual patient access, with cost, stigma, and prescriber reluctance driving patients to illicit sources.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected sample recruited through advocacy groups may overrepresent cannabis-favorable attitudes. Self-reported outcomes without clinical verification. Survey design cannot establish causal medication substitution.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would subsidizing medicinal cannabis shift patients from illicit to legal supply?
- ?Are patients safely tapering other medications when adding cannabis?
- ?How do cannabis-related outcomes compare in supervised vs unsupervised use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 66.1% reported reducing opioid use by over 50%
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: reasonable sample size with detailed survey data, but self-selected and self-reported outcomes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Use for Endometriosis: Clinical and Legal Challenges in Australia and New Zealand.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(4), 464-472 (2022)
- Authors:
- Sinclair, Justin(14), Toufaili, Yasmine, Gock, Sarah, Pegorer, Amanda G, Wattle, Jordan, Franke, Martin, Alzwayid, Muayed A K M, Abbott, Jason, Pate, David W, Sarris, Jerome, Armour, Mike
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04226
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why are so many patients using illicit cannabis despite legal access?
Barriers included high cost of legal medicinal cannabis, difficulty finding willing prescribers, geographic isolation, and concern about legal repercussions and stigma.
Did cannabis help with endometriosis symptoms?
Respondents reported positive outcomes and substantial reductions in use of pain medications, hormonal therapies, antidepressants, and antianxiety medications.
Why is unsupervised use concerning?
Patients may be tapering or stopping prescribed medications without medical guidance, risking drug interactions, withdrawal effects, and suboptimal disease management.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04226APA
Sinclair, Justin; Toufaili, Yasmine; Gock, Sarah; Pegorer, Amanda G; Wattle, Jordan; Franke, Martin; Alzwayid, Muayed A K M; Abbott, Jason; Pate, David W; Sarris, Jerome; Armour, Mike. (2022). Cannabis Use for Endometriosis: Clinical and Legal Challenges in Australia and New Zealand.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(4), 464-472. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0116
MLA
Sinclair, Justin, et al. "Cannabis Use for Endometriosis: Clinical and Legal Challenges in Australia and New Zealand.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0116
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Use for Endometriosis: Clinical and Legal Challenge..." RTHC-04226. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/sinclair-2022-cannabis-use-for-endometriosis
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.