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In an analysis of 5,242 U.S. adults with chronic non-cancer pain, researchers found medical cannabis use was linked to fewer urgent care and emergency department (ED) visits and better self-reported health. Authors of the study, published in Pharmacy, compared the records of 3,943 patients with 1 year or more of cannabis use to 1,299 patients who had no prior exposure to cannabis, drawn from a telehealth platform designed for patients seeking to obtain medical cards for cannabis use. Cannabis exposure corresponded to a 2.0 percentage point reduction in urgent care visits (26.8% relative reduction) and a 3.2 percentage point reduction in ED visits (32.9% relative reduction). However, hospital admissions did not change significantly. Users also reported 3.52 fewer “unhealthy” days per month (18% reduction).
Does cannabis use make a difference? The authors say their estimates suggest medical cannabis could reduce short-term demand on urgent care and ED services and improve quality of life. However, the study was based on self-reported data over 6 months among a limited population, so more research would be needed to draw any real-world conclusions. Read more about clinical presentations related to cannabis use from the JUCM archive: Emesis Ad Nauseum: A Case Report of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in Urgent Care