More than a third of MS patients used cannabis in a state where it's legal | Research

The takeaway

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.

Multiple sclerosis patients, neurologists, and medical cannabis program administrators.

38% of MS patients were cannabis users

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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).

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Single-clinic cross-sectional survey with self-reported outcomes and likely selection bias.

When this study was published

2019 survey from Colorado.

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.

Questions still open

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?

Common 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.

Read the original research

Exploring cannabis use by patients with multiple sclerosis in a state where cannabis is legal.

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 27, 383-390

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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