Can Medical Cannabis Affect Opioid Use?

Description

The goal of this observational study is to learn how medical cannabis (MC) affects pain and the use of opioid pain medications. Participants who have chronic pain and use prescribed opioid pain medication will opt-in to using MC or not for the 3-month study. Participants who are certified in Pennsylvania will purchase specific medical cannabis products at a reduced cost from a partnering medical cannabis dispensary monthly. All participants will complete baseline, daily, and monthly assessments to observe changes across groups.

Conditions

Chronic Pain, Pain

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this observational study is to learn how medical cannabis (MC) affects pain and the use of opioid pain medications. Participants who have chronic pain and use prescribed opioid pain medication will opt-in to using MC or not for the 3-month study. Participants who are certified in Pennsylvania will purchase specific medical cannabis products at a reduced cost from a partnering medical cannabis dispensary monthly. All participants will complete baseline, daily, and monthly assessments to observe changes across groups.

The Effect of Medical Cannabis on Opioid Use for Individuals With Chronic Pain

Can Medical Cannabis Affect Opioid Use?

Condition
Chronic Pain
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Philadelphia

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Current diagnosis of chronic, intractable pain
  • * Use of prescription opioids for longer than 90 days
  • * Have a smartphone or agree to use one provided
  • * English fluency
  • * Medical cannabis group only: Willing to get certified by a physician to use medical cannabis in PA OR already certified but have not been using medical cannabis products regularly (daily or weekly) for longer than 30 days
  • * Medical cannabis group only: Willing to accept a temporary restriction on medical cannabis products
  • * Control group: Agree to continue not using cannabis for the duration of the study (3 months)
  • * Under 18 years old
  • * Being under conservatorship
  • * Self-reported pregnant or breastfeeding
  • * Cannabis Use Disorder
  • * Active treatment in methadone or buprenorphine program for Opioid Use Disorder
  • * Diabetic neuropathy or chemotherapy-induced neuropathy alone
  • * Medical cannabis group: Cannabis use (daily/weekly) for more than 30 days
  • * Control group: Cannabis Use

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Thomas Jefferson University,

Brooke Worster, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Thomas Jefferson University

Study Record Dates

2025-02