The use of medical cannabis is rapidly growing in the United States, even as it remains federally illegal. In Florida, patients can access medical cannabis if they have specific qualifying conditions, such as cancer, PTSD, or chronic pain. However, new research suggests a disconnect between these official conditions and the reasons patients actually seek medical cannabis.
A recent study therefore aimed to compare reported qualifying conditions for medical cannabis certification with the most frequently self-reported reasons for using medical cannabis to provide a better understanding of the alignment between the two.
The Study’s Findings
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of individuals receiving medical cannabis in Florida in 2022. They used survey data from the Medical Marijuana & Me (M3) Study.
The study published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids surveyed over 600 medical cannabis patients in Florida. The researchers found that while many patients did use medical cannabis for the qualifying conditions, a significant number were using it for conditions not officially recognised by the state.
- Anxiety, depression, and insomnia were among the most common reasons for medical cannabis use, even though they are not listed as qualifying conditions in Florida.
- Many patients were using medical cannabis for multiple conditions, suggesting they were seeking broader relief than traditional medications might offer.
- The majority of patients reported effects on their condition, even where the scientific evidence is limited.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
This research highlights the complexity of medical cannabis use. While the state has a list of qualifying conditions, patients are clearly seeking medical cannabis for a wider range of health issues. This suggests that the current regulations or evidence base may not fully reflect the needs of patients.
The Need for More Research
The study also emphasises the need for more research into the effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis for various conditions.
While many patients may report positive effects, we need more rigorous scientific evidence, particularly randomised controlled trials to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis. Without this evidence, medical cannabis will not be prescribed more widely within conventional healthcare settings.
Conclusions
In this patient population, reported qualifying conditions and self-reported reasons for using medical cannabis were aligned for most respondents. However, more than a quarter reported being certified for a condition not on the qualifying conditions list.
The main reasons for medical cannabis use were multifaceted, which the authors note may suggest “expectations for broader treatment effects than usually described for allopathic medications.”
Further research is necessary to explore the effects and safety of medical cannabis to enable it to be prescribed to a broader selection of approved conditions than it is currently.
