Since Cannabis was placed on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, essentially little clinical research has been conducted in the United States on its therapeutic properties. One hundred consecutive patients who were returning for yearly re-certification for medical cannabis Melbourne usage in Hawai'i were given surveys in order to learn about the positive and negative impacts of medical Cannabis, particularly in regards to chronic pain.
The percentage of those who responded was very high, at 94%. Ages averaged out to 49.3 and 51 years old, respectively. The majority of cannabis users (97%) reported doing so to relieve chronic pain. The average pain rating was reduced by 5.0 points (from 7.8 to 2.8) on a scale from 0 to 10, or by 64%. More than half of the respondents (55%) said they slept better after using this method, and almost half (45%) said they felt less stressed or anxious. Although medicinal Cannabis is allowed in Hawaii, some patients still report negative side effects. Seventy-one percent of patients said they experienced no negative effects, while 6% said they experienced a cough or throat irritation. There were no severe side effects mentioned.
These findings indicate that Cannabis is a highly effective and safe medicine for many people with chronic pain. It would suggest that Cannabis can be used to treat pain, sleeplessness, and possibly even anxiety. The medical potential of Cannabis is undeniable, and it should be removed from the federal government's Schedule I ban on both study and prescription.
Introduction
The federal Schedule I classification severely restricts research into the therapeutic advantages of Cannabis, effectively prohibiting any capacity to purchase or distribute Cannabis for studies studying its therapeutic effects. Canada, Europe, and a few California universities have all done some research, but it's not extensive.
Methods for Choosing a Sample
One hundred patients who had been approved for medical cannabis use for at least a year and were renewing their approval were sent questionnaires between July 2010 and February 2011.
Conception and Management of Surveys
Participants were either asked verbally to fill out the questionnaire at the time of re-certification in the office or given a pre-paid return envelope to do so. The participants were asked to answer the questions truthfully while maintaining their anonymity.
Both pre-and post-treatment pain levels were measured using a 10-point numeric rating scale. The following were determined through the use of open-ended questions:
“Have you had any negative reactions to medical cannabis?”
If you're already using medicinal Cannabis, do you find that it helps with any additional symptoms? Then what?”
The final inquiry was designed to probe potential advantages beyond those met by the medical cannabis requirements in the state of Hawai'i.
Results
The total percentage of those who answered the survey was 94%. The median age was 51, and the mean age was 49.3. Gender and racial/ethnic background information were not recorded. All but two people (both of whom used medical Cannabis) said they did it primarily to deal with chronic pain.
Patients typically had significant pain reduction after using medical Cannabis. On a scale from 0 to 10, the average amount of pain before therapy was 7.8, and after it was 2.8, for an overall improvement of 5 points. On average, this equates to a reduction in pain of 64%.
Patients also reported improvements in other areas of health, such as sleep (reported by 45%), hunger (12%), nausea (10%), focus/concentration (9%) and depression (reported by 7%), as a result of the treatment. Several individuals documented (see below) that they were able to reduce or stop taking their pain, anxiety, and sleep aids after using Cannabis.
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