2018/05/09 Council Agenda Packet

Reiman,et al.;Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 2017,2.1 165 http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2017.0012 63% 56° < .. 68% 67% . _.._ ._.._ .r.Cs.��,:�;.�°'r.`.• �.�. �rb°.:a+.,. '�.,.: _-..13,.E ..u:i..... -- 'r J.x ,. Cannabis works Need less Cannabis is Prefer cannabis Would use more well with my NOPM when more effective to NOPM as a substitute NOPM using cannabis than NOPM it available ■ Strongly Disagree Disagree ■ Agree ■ Strongly Agree FIG. 3. Use of cannabis as a substitute/in conjunction with nonopioid based medication (n=1684). results of this study support that not only is this prac- cannabis use for pain. This may have biased the respon- tice common but also medical cannabis patients who dents toward those using for pain versus other conditions. choose to use cannabis as a substitute for these med- icines report better outcomes with fewer unwanted Response rate side effects with cannabis compared to their other The survey yielded responses from 2897 participants, medications. which is a response rate of 4.3%. Since the survey Participants in this study overwhelmingly supported was sent to the HelloMD total patient database,includ- the notion that they would be more likely to use cannabis ing those not using cannabis for pain,this could reflect as a substitute for pain medication if it were less stigma- in the response rate. Other reasons for nonresponse, tized and more available, suggesting that there are pop- besides lack of interest,include people who are no lon- ulations of people who could benefit from this practice ger patients and those who chose not to participate for but are shying away due to the stigma and legal restric- other reasons such as privacy concerns. tions related to cannabis use.If cannabis laws continue to change across the country,it will be important to assess Amount of cannabis consumed how changes in these laws might impact other public One of the major limitations of cannabis research is the health behaviors and outcomes,such as opioid overdose, difficulty in determining how much cannabis partici- dependence, risky behaviors, and spending on prescrip- pants are using. Variations in strength of product, tion medications. size of vessel, and social use patterns all impact the re- liability and validity of consumption measures. This Limitations survey did not ask participants to estimate their amount This is a study of patient self-report through online survey. of consumption and therefore cannot comment on The data for analyses are based on patient perception and reported effective doses. not on objective measure of cannabis and opioid use.Fur- thermore, there is no comparison group of pain patients Prescription status of opioids who only have access to opioid-based medications or in- This study did not ask participants if the opioids they con- dividuals solely using over-the-counter medications for sumed were from a prescription or by self-medication. pain. Finally,the solicitation e-mail sent to potential par- The study also did not inquire as to the specific types ticipants included the title of the study which relates to of opioids being consumed.