More than a third of MS patients used cannabis in a state where it's legal
In Colorado, 38% of multiple sclerosis patients surveyed were current cannabis users, mostly for pain and sleep, reporting over 60% symptom relief with minimal side effects.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
38% (n=96) of MS patients were current cannabis users. Users had higher disability than non-users (PDDS=2 vs 1, p=0.02). 57% classified their use as strictly medicinal. Most common targets were pain and insomnia/poor sleep. Users reported greater than 60% benefit/relief from cannabis. Over 90% of all respondents wanted more cannabis research for MS, and 74% would consider using cannabis.
Key Numbers
38% current users (n=96). Users had higher disability (PDDS 2 vs 1, p=0.02). 57% strictly medicinal use. >60% reported benefit. 90%+ want more research. 74% would consider cannabis for MS.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of MS patients at a large academic MS clinic in Colorado (where cannabis is legal recreationally and medicinally). Assessed cannabis use patterns, MS history, disability (PDDS), quality of life (PROMIS-10), and cognition (Neuro-QoL).
Why This Research Matters
MS has limited effective treatments for symptoms like pain and sleep disruption. This real-world snapshot from a legal state shows how many MS patients are using cannabis and how they rate its effectiveness.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that cannabis users had higher disability suggests that those with more severe symptoms are more likely to seek cannabis as treatment, consistent with self-medication behavior.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional survey from a single clinic in a legal state. Self-reported data and outcomes. Selection bias likely. Cannot determine whether cannabis caused improvement or whether users simply perceive benefit.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are MS patients in non-legal states using cannabis at similar rates through illicit channels?
- ?Would controlled trials confirm the >60% relief reported by users?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 38% of MS patients were cannabis users
- Evidence Grade:
- Single-clinic cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes and likely selection bias.
- Study Age:
- 2019 survey from Colorado.
- Original Title:
- Exploring cannabis use by patients with multiple sclerosis in a state where cannabis is legal.
- Published In:
- Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 27, 383-390 (2019)
- Authors:
- Weinkle, Laura, Domen, Christopher H(3), Shelton, Ian, Sillau, Stefan, Nair, Kavita, Alvarez, Enrique
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02344
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do people with MS use cannabis?
In this Colorado survey, 38% of MS patients were current cannabis users, with 57% describing their use as strictly medicinal. Pain and insomnia were the most common reasons.
Does cannabis help with MS symptoms?
Users in this survey reported over 60% relief from symptoms, particularly pain and sleep problems, with minimal side effects. However, these are self-reported results without a control group.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02344APA
Weinkle, Laura; Domen, Christopher H; Shelton, Ian; Sillau, Stefan; Nair, Kavita; Alvarez, Enrique. (2019). Exploring cannabis use by patients with multiple sclerosis in a state where cannabis is legal.. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 27, 383-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2018.11.022
MLA
Weinkle, Laura, et al. "Exploring cannabis use by patients with multiple sclerosis in a state where cannabis is legal.." Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2018.11.022
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Exploring cannabis use by patients with multiple sclerosis i..." RTHC-02344. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/weinkle-2019-exploring-cannabis-use-by
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.