Use of Cannabis to Relieve Pain and Promote Sleep by Customers at an Adult Use Dispensary

ABSTRACT

Medical cannabis patients consistently report using cannabis as a substitute for prescription medications; however, little is known about individuals accessing cannabis through adult-use markets. A survey at two retail stores was conducted in Colorado, United States. Between August 2016 and October 2016, store staff asked customers if they wanted to participate and, if so, provided an electronic survey link. All customers reporting medical certification were excluded. Of 1,000 adult-use only customer respondents, 65% reported taking cannabis to relieve pain and 74% reported taking cannabis to promote sleep. Among respondents taking cannabis for pain, 80% reported that it was very or extremely helpful, and most of those taking over-the-counter pain medications (82%) or opioid analgesics (88%) reported reducing or stopping use of those medications. Among respondents taking cannabis for sleep, 84% found it very or extremely helpful, and most of those taking over-the-counter (87%) or prescription sleep aids (83%) reported reducing or stopping use of those medications. De facto medical use of cannabis for symptom relief was common among adult-use dispensary customers and the majority reported that cannabis decreased their medication use. Adult use cannabis laws may broaden access to cannabis for the purpose of symptom relief.

KEYWORDS:

• Cannabis
• chronic pain
• sleep disorders
• opioids

Acknowledgments

MB is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K08DA043050). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The funding agency had no role in design or conduct of the study or the decision to publish study results.

Declarations of interest

Dr. Bachhuber has nothing to declare. Dr. Arnsten has nothing to declare. Dr. Wurm has served as a paid consultant for for Sweetwater Partners, LLC, Colorado, which has a financial interest in the dispensary organization.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [K08DA043050].