For many suffering from debilitating conditions such as chronic pain, conventional treatments often fall short, leaving them in search of alternatives. While cannabis has emerged as a promising natural remedy, fear of legal repercussions can be a significant barrier. In this blog, we’ll explore how to safely and effectively integrate cannabis into your pain management routine while addressing the legal landscape.
The appeal of natural relief for chronic pain
Research has pointed to cannabis being “superior to” and having “fewer side effects” than some prescription medications. Participants in observational studies have claimed that when compared to traditional medications, cannabis improves their quality of life by helping with multiple conditions.
Relief from chronic pain is among the most common conditions reported by patients for the medical use of cannabis. It is considered one of the most debilitating conditions, yet there is a lack of consensus from the medical community on the best diagnostic and treatment method. Currently, opioids are the most commonly prescribed drugs for pain, which in 2016 accounted for 259 million prescriptions. Recent reports suggest that a number of pain patients are replacing the use of opioids with cannabis. A 2014 study found that states with medical cannabis programs reported significant reductions in opioid overdose mortality and a 2018 study found these same states saw significant decreases in opioid prescriptions among Medicare-enrolled individuals. A 2011 study found that combining cannabis with opioids decreased pain significantly without affecting opioid plasma levels; which led researchers to suggest the potential for opioids to be prescribed at much lower doses when cannabis is also consumed, resulting in fewer side effects.
Cannabis as an alternative to other “treatment-resistant conditions”
A treatment-resistant condition/disease may be identified as a diagnosed condition/disease that was not improved after attempting use of two different pharmaceuticals, in separate occasions, at the proper dose. Several qualitative study results show that medical cannabis patients believe cannabis to be a promising substitute for traditional pharmacotherapies. In 2022, responses from 808 individuals were reviewed in one qualitative study, which highlighted that 51% of participants were motivated to use medicinal cannabis based on beliefs that traditional treatments were ineffective and/or had intolerable side effects and 21% showed a preference for “natural” treatments over pharmaceuticals. Among these participants were parents of an 11-year old with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), who responded to their reason for making the switch as:
“He tried two different SSRI [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor] medications. One made him have severe suicidal ideations. The other one increased his OCD compulsions and the distress became unbearable. When the psychiatrist gave us another prescription for a 3rd SSRI, we, the parents, decided that we could not put him (and us) through that again.” (Garcia-Romeu et at., 2022).
Of the participants, 77% attributed positive effects to the medicinal use of cannabis, including reduced pain (28%), improved sleep (18%), seizure reduction (18%), reduced anxiety (22%), and improved mood (11%). Problems associated with medical cannabis use were cited by 41% of respondents, which included lack of information or medical support (16%) and legal concerns (10%).
Legal Considerations
In the same 2020 qualitative study, 10% of respondents cited legal concerns as a problem for their medical cannabis use. One participant explained that “the stigma and continued illegality of cannabis products in our state causes undue stress and unnecessary effort to help our family.” (Garcia-Romeu et at., 2022). A parent reported “I am so grateful for what this oil has done for my son. I am however nervous of the uncertainty of the legality of it. It needs to be fixed at the federal level, not just the state.” (Garcia-Romeu et at., 2022).
Stigma and legal concerns may prevent travel, those with federal benefits to join state medical cannabis programs, discussions with doctors about cannabis or hemp use, and trying plant-based therapies that have the potential to increase one’s quality of life. A caregiver for their 74-year-old spouse with metastatic prostate cancer explained it “took quite a bit of time, over a year, to decide to try this modality. Reluctant due to social stigma and legality concerns.” (Garcia-Romeu et at., 2022). With how often laws change around cannabis and hemp products each legislative session, current patients are also faced with the uncertainty of whether or not the products they are currently using will be available in subsequent years.
A large population of patients suffer as a result of ambiguity in cannabis and hemp law. It likewise causes confusion for dispensaries, law enforcement, medical providers, and caregivers. Unclear laws also create loopholes and allowance for synthetically derived cannabinoids to be sold, which may be unsafe for consumers. With the lack of federal oversight for cannabis and hemp products, it is up to the consumer to check on the accuracy and safety of the product being sold.
How to get started safely
Cannabis and hemp are not one-size-fits-all approaches. Including both or either into your medical journey can depend on the zip code you live in, the condition you are suffering with, what medications you are taking, and more. It is overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you have questions on legality, are seeking resources for how to talk to your doctor, or want data-driven answers to your questions about cannabinoid therapy and symptoms of various health conditions, the Realm of Caring Care Team is here to assist with free, one-on-one support.
