In a new study from Massachusetts General Hospital, researchers found using cannabis products to treat pain, anxiety, or depression symptoms may lead to rapid cannabis use disorder (CUD) while failing to improve symptoms.
They found that people at the greatest risk of developing the addictive symptoms of cannabis use disorder were those seeking relief from anxiety and depression.
This suggests the need for stronger safeguards over the dispensing, use, and professional follow-up of people who legally obtain cannabis through medical marijuana cards (MMCs).
“Medical” cannabis has surged in popularity as 36 states and the District of Columbia have commercialized its use (as of December 2021) for myriad health conditions through medical marijuana cards.
These cards require the written approval of a licensed physician who, under the current system, is typically not the patient’s primary care provider but a “cannabis doctor” who may provide authorization to patients with only a cursory examination, no recommendations for alternative treatments, and no follow-up.
In the study, the team began their trial in 2017 with 269 adults (average age of 37) from the greater Boston area who were interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card.
One group was allowed to get MMCs immediately, while the second group, designed to serve as a control, was asked to wait 12 weeks before obtaining a card. Both groups were tracked over 12 weeks.
The team found that the odds of developing cannabis use disorder were nearly two times higher in the MMC cohort than in the wait list control group, and that by week 12, 10 percent of the MMC group had developed a CUD diagnosis, with the number rising to 20 percent in those seeking a card for anxiety or depression.
The study underscores the need for better decision-making about whether to begin to use cannabis for specific medical complaints, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, which are associated with an increased risk of cannabis use disorder.
Regardless of the specific health condition for which cannabis is sought, the team believes that regulation and distribution of cannabis to people with medical marijuana cards must be greatly improved.
If you care about marijuana, please read studies about health threat from marijuana and tobacco smoke, and using marijuana for pain relief may cause these symptoms.
For more information about marijuana, please see recent studies about CBD from cannabis that may inhibit COVID-19 infection, and results showing this stuff in marijuana may improve cognition in Alzheimer’s.
The study is published in JAMA Network Open and was conducted by Jodi Gilman et al.
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