As people start to use cannabis for more serious ailments, researchers have begun to look at it as a potential replacement for other treatments. Specifically, the researchers have started investigating the use of it reducing opioid use for those suffering from chronic pain. As such, researchers performed a study to see if there was a correlation between the use of cannabis and reduced opioid use.

Study

The study involved interviewing a random sample of chronic pain patients who had a license for cannabis use. The researchers interviewed these subjects over the telephone and questioned them about their lifetime opioid and cannabis use. These 100 subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years. The researchers used a specific criteria called Portenoy’s Criteria to carefully assess cannabis and opioid use disorders.  According researchers in another cannabis study, Portenoy’s Criteria “emphasizes specific behavioral aspects of prescription opioid addiction. These include aspects like unsanctioned dose escalation, acquisition of opioids from other medical sources or from non-medical sources, manipulation of medical system for the purpose of obtaining additional opioids, and drug hoarding or sales.”

Results

The study resulted in 93 percent of them reporting a decrease or cessation of opioid use after starting cannabis use. 17.4 percent were 40 years old or older and met the aforementioned criteria for cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use disorder was more common among the younger participants.

Discussion

As a result of the study, the researchers found that the cannabis use disorder potential was more common among the younger subjects. This meant they were more likely to abuse it. They also found that the use of cannabis typically coincided with the decrease of opioid use. Note that these numbers are connected with using it for chronic pain, like the suffering during arthritis.

However, it is not completely clear as to whether or not there is a direct correlation between these changes in numbers. Hopefully, as the schedule I status of cannabis changes, researchers will be able to study the effects of it more. When that happens, people may be able to better use the products for ailments of ranging seriousness.

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