Survey suggests medical cannabis lowers opioid use in chronic pain patients

[fred v]

Source: Grand Forks Herald



By Robin Huebner Today at 7:15 a.m.

FARGO--With mounting attention focused on the nationwide abuse of prescription painkillers, a new report seems to come at an opportune time for those supporting a proposed medical marijuana measure in North Dakota.

However, a Sanford Health physician who specializes in pain management said there's a selection bias to the information, and it won't change how medicine is practiced.

The survey, published in The Journal of Pain, shows medical cannabis use is associated with 64 percent lower opioid use in chronic pain patients. Opioid use has come under increased scrutiny in part due to an associated surge in heroin abuse. There have already been several fatal heroin overdoses in Fargo-Moorhead this year.

Rilie Ray Morgan, chairman of the North Dakota effort to get medical marijuana on the November ballot, welcomes the survey news.

"If we can provide those patients with some relief that has very little chance of addiction, I think it just benefits patients and society as a whole," Morgan said.

Read more: http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/region/4021833-survey-suggests-medical-cannabis-lowers-opioid-use-chronic-pain-patients

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7:15 Central = 8:15 Eastern, so this is less than 12 hours old

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. NS.S.

Anyone who has toked more than once will tell you pot helps with pain and with th muscle tightening that occurs with pain.

I am getting so damn fed up with this country.

[JonathanRackham]

2. I had surgery 2 years ago.

The opoids caused more problems than the post surgery pain. Make medical marajuana legal damn it.

[AgingAmerican]

7. I went through elbow surgery a month ago

I had a titanium mount screwed into bone and a ligament and tendon reattached, along with some torn muscles.

I took no painkillers, just marijuana edibles. Worked BETTER than painkillers I had used previously surgeries.

[Chakab]

3. Too bad there's no chance whatsoever of the US's inane policy on cannibus changing any time soon

given who's likely to be elected President.

[The Wizard]

9. One of the candidates

and I won't mention her name, wants more studies. We've been handed that line of crap for 50 years. it's just an excuse to continue the status quo that lines the pockets of legislators with bribe money from the pharmaceutical lobby. In case anyone hasn't noticed, this is the most corrupt government since the Roman Empire, but without the Roman moral ethos.

[scscholar]

4. Which is why the medical cartel...

stands against it.

[AllyCat]

8. And Hillary Clinton plans to see if it could be moved down the Schedule

You know, so drug companies can still profit big off our illness and misery.

[Sunlei]

11. I am very disappointed in Mrs. Clintons stance on cannabis. should be OFF FED LIST TOTALLY.

I hope this is something Obama can do before he leaves office.

The 'for profit' prison system and 'for profit' lets fine the crap out of people for a PLANT will take full advantage of Mrs. Clintons old-school cannabis 'view'

[CountAllVotes]

12. +1

Old school = sums her up IMO.

No Goldman Sux profits to be had!!

and will add that yes, the combo of medical MJ and opiates is a winner of a combo. You don't need as many opiates if you are a chronic pain sufferer. You can probably cut down the amount by 1/3 to 1/2.

However, try explaining this to your doctor that is anti-cannabis! They'll call you everything from being a liar to a cheat when your next RX for opiates comes due if they aren't all gone yet because you didn't need to take every last pill you've got!

[jtuck004]

5. Which is why the ass clowns that run WA State's program think profits are more important

than people, and want to destroy medical marijuana, put up barriers so people die instead of getting relief.

Fuck them. Anybody who hasn't fought against their bullying of sick people will find their ballot laying in my sewer in any future election. Sick of their excuses.

[greymattermom]

6. I'm guessing that it will help migraine too.

I'm the world's expert on the basic science of migraine in women. I like to say that that and 5 bucks will get you a cup of coffee. We added some cannabis relevant studies to our most recent publication. So, maybe some day some one will read it.

[potone]

10. Are you really?

I have a friend who suffers greatly from migraines. She has tried everything with very little benefit. I mentioned that marijuana could help her (it is legal in our state) but if you have more information, I would appreciate it if you shared it. You can email me privately if you wish.

[olddad56]

14. Pot never helped my migraines.

I think there is unlimited applications for medical marijuana. That being said, I had no success treating my migraines with pot. That was years ago, and perhaps a newer, more specific strain would help.

[madokie]

13. for my pain cannabis is the best relief I can get

But I can't smoke anymore because of my lungs.

[Pakhet]

16. I hate smoking but a new pain patch

that's 1:1 thc/cbd cuts my pain by 60% or more and edibles or tea works at night. There's little to no head effect but in the last 3 years I've gone from 8 excedeine+6 Advil+whatever opioids I could get (a day) to 6 excedrine this year so far.

[OxQQme]

15. The Power of RAW Cannabis

Several year user and this is the first time I've heard of cold pressed mj juice using day leaves and tiny buds of young plants.