Over the past ten years, the way people think about pain treatment has changed a lot. Two major treatments—opioids and cannabis—have been at the center of this shift. In the past, opioids were commonly used to treat long-term pain.
Doctors often prescribed them to help patients live more comfortably. However, the opioid crisis, which led to addiction and many deaths, has made both doctors and the public much more careful about using these strong medicines.
At the same time, cannabis has become more accepted. Many states in the United States now allow medical cannabis, and some even allow recreational use. Because of this, more patients are using cannabis to manage pain and other health problems. These changes might seem positive, but they have also created new challenges in real-life medical care.
A new study from Michigan Medicine, led by Dr. Mark Bicket at the University of Michigan, has looked closely at this issue. The research was published in Health Affairs Scholar. The goal of the study was to understand how doctors today feel about treating patients with chronic pain, especially those already using opioids or cannabis.
The researchers surveyed more than 1,000 primary care doctors across the United States. These doctors are often the first point of contact for patients, so their views are very important. Out of the doctors surveyed, 852 said they were accepting new patients. However, not all patients were treated the same.
About 20% of these doctors said they would not accept new patients who are already using opioids for pain. Around 12% said they were not comfortable treating patients who use medical cannabis.
In contrast, almost all doctors were willing to see patients who use common over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen. These drugs are widely used and are considered low risk compared to opioids.
This situation creates serious problems for certain patients. Some people have been using opioids for many years. These patients are sometimes called “legacy patients” because they started treatment when opioids were more widely accepted.
If their doctor retires, moves away, or stops prescribing opioids, these patients may struggle to find a new doctor willing to continue their care.
Without proper support, these patients may face severe pain, withdrawal symptoms, or worsening health conditions. For them, the issue is not just about pain, but also about access to care.
The situation is even more complicated for cannabis users. While many states allow medical cannabis, it is still considered illegal under federal law. This creates confusion for doctors. Some may worry about legal risks or professional consequences, even if cannabis is legal in their state. Because of this, they may choose not to treat patients who use cannabis at all.
The study did not deeply explore all the reasons behind doctors’ decisions, but Dr. Bicket suggested that a major problem is the lack of clear and strong scientific evidence. Doctors often rely on research to guide their decisions.
However, when it comes to long-term use of opioids or cannabis for pain, the evidence is still limited or unclear. Dr. Bicket described this situation as “flying in the dark,” meaning doctors do not have enough reliable information to feel confident in their choices.
Other researchers involved in the study, including Elizabeth M. Stone, Kayla Tormohlen, Reekarl Pierre, and Emma E. McGinty, also emphasized the need for better research and clearer guidelines. Without these, doctors may continue to feel uncertain, and patients may continue to face barriers to care.
This study highlights a growing gap between changing laws and real-world healthcare. While policies around opioids and cannabis are shifting, the healthcare system has not fully adapted. Patients may have more treatment options in theory, but in practice, they may struggle to find a doctor willing to help them.
Researchers are also exploring other ways to manage pain. Some studies have looked at natural options like krill oil for muscle health in older adults. Others are testing new ways to treat arthritis or back pain without strong drugs. There is also interest in traditional plant-based treatments used by Indigenous communities. These options may offer some hope in the future.
However, the main issue remains clear. People living with pain need reliable care, and doctors need better tools and guidance to provide that care safely. This study shows that without more research and clearer policies, many patients may continue to face not only pain, but also difficulty finding someone willing to treat them.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
