Montreal, Canada: Canadian patients authorized to use medical cannabis products report sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
A team of investigators affiliated with McGill University in Montreal assessed the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis products in a cohort of 2,991 patients. Subjects in the study consumed cannabis flower, extracts, or other related products for one year.
Consistent with other studies, researchers reported: “All patient-reported outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement at 3 months, which was maintained or further improved (for pain interference, tiredness, and well-being) over the remainder of the 12-month follow-up. Results also revealed clinically significant improvements in pain interference and tiredness, anxiety, and well-being from baseline.” Few patients reported experiencing any serious adverse events as a result of their cannabis intake.
Authors concluded, “MC [medical cannabis] directed by physicians appears to be safe and effective within 3 months of initiation for a variety of medical indications.”
Data published late last week in the journal JAMA Network Open reported that nearly one in four pain patients residing in states where medical cannabis access is legal self-identify as marijuana consumers.
Full text of the study, “The Quebec Cannabis Registry: Investigating the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis,” appears inCannabis and Cannabinoid Research.