Exploring cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain in a rural Appalachian population.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Many cannabis laws include medical use with pain as an indication. However, it is not known the extent of cannabis use for pain, the types of pain treated, and the perceived effectiveness of cannabis for chronic pain in this region. The purpose of this study was to understand cannabis use for pain in West Virginia patients.

METHODS

Ten thousand chronic pain patients were surveyed, and users and non-users of cannabis were compared.

RESULTS

One thousand three hundred fifty-one people responded, with 24% using cannabis. They were in pain for longer, most >10 years. They often used other medications for pain and more often had a previous opioid prescription for pain.

DISCUSSIONS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who use cannabis have higher levels of reported pain for longer durations of time than those who do not use cannabis. More information is needed to understand the implications for cannabis use in this population.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with chronic pain who use cannabis have tried multiple treatment modalities, had more types of pain, and often received an opioid prescription.