Chronic Pain Patients' Perspectives of Medical Cannabis.

Medical cannabis (MC) is employed for a variety of conditions including chronic pain. The goal of this report was to provide an in-depth qualitative exploration of patient perspectives on the strengths and limitations of MC. Members of MC dispensaries (N = 984) in New England including two-thirds with a history of chronic pain completed an online survey. In response to “How effective is medical cannabis in treating your symptoms or conditions?”, with options of 0% “no relief” to 100% “complete relief”, the average was 74.6% + 0.6. The average amount spent on MC each year was $3,064.47 + 117.60, Median = $2,320.23, Range = $52.14 to $52,140.00. Open-ended responses were coded into themes and subthemes. Analysis of answers to “What is it that you like most about MC?” (N = 2,592 responses) identified ten themes including health benefits (36.0% of responses, e.g. “Changes perception and experience of my chronic pain.”), the product (14.2%, e.g. “Knowing exactly what strain you are getting”), nonhealth benefits (14.1%), general considerations (10.3%), and medications (7.1%). Responses (N = 1,678) to “What is it that you like least about MC?” identified twelve themes including money (28.4%, e.g. “The cost is expensive for someone on a fixed income”), effects (21.7%, e.g. “”The effects on my lungs”), the view of others (11.4%), access (8.2%), and method of administration (7.1%). These findings provide a patient-centered view on the advantages (e.g. efficacy in pain treatment, reduced use of other medications) and disadvantages (e.g. economic and stigma) of MC.