After enrolling in New Mexico's medical cannabis program, 34% of chronic pain patients completely stopped using all scheduled prescription medications, compared to only 2% in a comparison group.
Pain management providers, medical cannabis policy makers, chronic pain patients.
34% of medical cannabis patients stopped all scheduled prescription medications vs 2% of comparison patients.
What the researchers found
28 of 83 MCP patients (34%) ceased all scheduled prescription medications by the end of the observation period, versus only 1 of 42 comparison patients (2%). MCP patients showed statistically significant monthly decreases in number of prescriptions, distinct drug classes, prescription fill dates, and prescribing providers.
Why it matters
Co-prescribing of controlled substances (Schedule II-V) is a major safety concern and healthcare burden. This study provides some of the first Prescription Monitoring Program data showing medical cannabis enrollment is associated with significant reductions in dangerous prescription drug use.
The numbers in context
34% of MCP patients stopped all scheduled drugs vs 2% of comparisons. Significant monthly decreases in all 4 measures (counts of -0.02 to -0.04, P values <.001 to .017). Differences were significant by 10 months post-enrollment.
How the study worked
Pragmatic historical cohort study comparing 83 chronic pain patients who enrolled in New Mexico's Medical Cannabis Program with 42 non-enrolled patients over 24 months using Prescription Monitoring Program data.
What this study cannot tell us
Observational study with non-randomized groups. Comparison group was small (n=42). Cannot confirm patients actually used cannabis or that cannabis caused the prescription changes. New Mexico-specific results.
How to read the evidence
Moderate - uses objective Prescription Monitoring Program data, but observational with non-randomized comparison group.
When this study was published
Published in 2018. Data from 2010-2015.
The bigger picture
If medical cannabis can reduce reliance on dangerous prescription medications, particularly opioids, it could address two crises simultaneously: the opioid epidemic and the broader problem of polypharmacy with controlled substances.
Questions still open
- Which specific drug classes were most reduced? Did patients maintain symptom control after stopping prescriptions? Would these results replicate in states with different medical cannabis program structures?
Common questions
Can medical cannabis replace prescription drugs?
Does medical cannabis reduce opioid use?
Read the original research
Effects of Legal Access to Cannabis on Scheduled II-V Drug Prescriptions.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 19(1), 59-64.e1
Citation
Stith, Sarah S; Vigil, Jacob M; Adams, Ian Marshall; Reeve, Anthony P. (2018). Effects of Legal Access to Cannabis on Scheduled II-V Drug Prescriptions.. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 19(1), 59-64.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2017.07.017
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