A recently published study, funded by a federal grant through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, has revealed that 20% of Americans with disabilities use medical cannabis on a regular basis. The data is not surprising to those who have followed the rise of medical cannabis as it has made its way through the states. Those living with disabilities are known to try all sorts of treatments to find some semblance of relief, including guidance and education from providers like Salt Lake City, Utah’s BeehiveMed.
In terms of what patients are using medical cannabis for, the majority say pain relief. And in fact, it is not even close. Over 70% of the study participants cited pain relief as the primary reason for using cannabis. Some 60% also say that medical cannabis relieves tension or helps them relax.
These are all things we have known about cannabis for decades. Even before California began the push for legalized medical cannabis back in the 1990s, cannabis proponents were self-medicating. They lauded cannabis for its ability to address pain and encourage relaxation.
More About the Study
Researchers from George Mason University and the University of Nevada conducted the study. They looked at survey responses from nearly 2,000 people who identify as having a disability. The survey in question was the 2023 National Survey on Health and Disability.
According to researchers, the purpose of their study was to “estimate the prevalence and reasons for cannabis use among those with any disability and six self-reported limitations (cognitive, hearing, independent living, mobility, self-care, vision).” They analyzed open-ended responses using inductive content analysis to gain a better understanding.
Here are some of the more interesting results:
- Current cannabis consumption among respondents was just under 22%
- The group with cognitive disabilities used cannabis most frequently at over 28%
- Pain was the most commonly cited reason at 71.9%
- Relaxation and tension relief benefits were also cited by 60.2% of the respondents
Survey respondents also mentioned more specific medical reasons for consuming cannabis. They included treating migraines, seizures, sleep issues, muscle spasms, nausea, and mental health challenges.
Medical Cannabis and the Disability Cycle
Although the study’s summary mentions nothing about patient quality of life, it would be interesting to know whether medical cannabis consumption helped in this regard. Quality of life is frequently affected by physical or mental disability to the extent that patients can get caught in an unending cycle of symptoms and limitations.
Consider a person with chronic pain. That pain limits function and prevents participation in activities once enjoyed. The loss of function can lead to anxiety and depression, both of which contribute to the pain experience. Over time, the individual feels worse, leading to further functional limitations and increased negative feelings associated with the disability. Quality of life continues to deteriorate.
If medical cannabis can help break that cycle by alleviating pain, it could make an enormous difference. Even modest pain relief may be enough to motivate movement and reengagement with daily activities. Over time, this could lead to improved function, better mental health, and an overall higher quality of life, which in turn may further reduce pain.
The Subject Needs More Study
People with disabilities using medical cannabis more frequently is not surprising. Yet the topic has been barely researched. More data is needed to better understand whether medical cannabis can do more than relieve symptoms. The key question remains whether it can help people with disabilities achieve and sustain a better quality of life.