Most patients reduced opioids as well as anti-anxiety, migraine and sleep medication after starting medical cannabis use, while antidepressants and alcohol were substituted less frequently.
Cross-sectional survey among members of a New England dispensary (n=1.513) on the substitution of MC for pharmaceutical agents. Of regular opioid users, 76.7% reported reduction since MC initiation (significantly greater than antidepressants 37.6% or alcohol 42.0%, p<0.0001). About two-thirds reduced anti-anxiety medication (71.8%), migraine medication (66.7%) and sleep medication (65.2%) after MC initiation (p<0.0001 vs. antidepressants/alcohol).
The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.
The impediment to action advances action.