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Research Finds Medical Cannabis Reduces Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients

According to the CDC, chronic pain affects approximately 1 in every 5 Americans and can impact an individual’s quality of life in various ways. A growing body of scientific research and testimonials from physicians and patients suggest that the therapeutic effects of medical cannabis are significant and may provide a safer solution to relieving chronic pain.

Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Medical cannabis offers a natural alternative for alleviating pain with no reported overdose deaths and does not come with the life-threatening risks commonly associated with opioids (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2024). For thousands of Texans, medical cannabis can be an effective treatment for chronic pain without the harmful side effects of opioid medications.

Qualifying Conditions

Is Medical Cannabis Effective for Pain?

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of medical cannabis for treating chronic pain and offering benefits beyond traditional pain management options.

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research compared medical cannabis to opioids in Finnish chronic pain patients. Findings suggest that while both treatments are effective at reducing pain intensity, medical cannabis provides additional benefits like improved mood, relaxation and better sleep compared to opioid users. Additionally, medical cannabis users experienced improved functionality and overall well-being without an increase in negative side effects. These findings support the idea that medical cannabis can alleviate pain while also addressing other symptoms compared to opioids (Jylkkä, 2023).
A 2023 study found that states with approved adult-use cannabis laws show a 26% reduction in prescription codeine dispensing, according to data collected from the Drug Enforcement Administration (Raman et al., 2023).
A 2023 cross-sectional study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Substance Use and Addiction reported three in ten patients use cannabis to manage their chronic pain. Additionally, more than 50% of the study participants reported that the use of cannabis led them to decrease the use of prescription opioids, prescription nonopioids, and over-the-counter pain medications (Bicket et al., 2023).
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Pain found that medical cannabis is associated with a 64% reduction in opioid use among chronic pain patients. The study surveyed 244 medical cannabis patients in Michigan and participants reported a reduction in the number of medications used, fewer medication side effects and improved quality of life after introducing medical cannabis for pain management (Boehnke et al., 2016).
A 2020 study found that 33% of cancer patients using medical cannabis reduced their opioid use and reported better control of pain. In contrast, patients who did not use medical cannabis experienced increased pain and a 29% increase in opioid doses. These findings suggest that medical cannabis may help manage cancer-related pain while reducing opioid use.

Is Medical Cannabis Legal in Texas?

Medical cannabis is legal in Texas for over 150 conditions approved under the Compassionate Use Program in Texas. The Texas Compassionate Use Act established guidelines that allow registered physicians to prescribe medical cannabis to patients with qualifying conditions.

Patients can receive a prescription for medical cannabis for the following conditions:

Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)
Spasticity (Muscle Spasms)
Cancer
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
All forms of epilepsy and other seizure disorders
Autism and other spectrum disorders
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
Parkinson’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Over 100 other incurable neurodegenerative diseases

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Research Finds Medical Cannabis Reduces Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients

Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Is Medical Cannabis Effective for Pain?

Is Medical Cannabis Legal in Texas?

Get a Prescription

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