What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Pain, Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Substance use & misuse on July 22, 2026.

Pain Addiction

Medical cannabis may complement, not replace, prescription pain relief

Q: What did this research study find?

**3.9% of U.S. adults** reported past-year *medical cannabis* use in the pooled 2022–2023 survey data.

Associations Between Medical Cannabis Use and Prescription Pain Reliever Use in U.S. Adults, 2022-2023.

Substance use & misuse • July 22, 2026 • Highly Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

In pooled 2022–2023 U.S. survey data, 3.9% of adults reported using medical cannabis in the past year. The study examined whether medical cannabis use was associated with use of prescription pain relievers, including both appropriate use and misuse, while accounting for demographic, substance-use, and psychiatric characteristics.

Adults who appropriately used prescription pain relievers had higher odds of medical cannabis use, as did adults who misused them. The authors interpret this pattern as suggesting co-use rather than cannabis replacing prescription pain relievers. For patients and clinicians, the findings highlight the need for clearer, updated guidance on combining or sequencing these treatments for chronic pain; however, this survey-based study shows an association, not that one treatment causes use of the other.

💡 Key Findings

3.9% of U.S. adults reported past-year medical cannabis use in the pooled 2022–2023 survey data.

High

80%

Appropriate prescription pain-reliever use was associated with higher odds of medical cannabis use after adjustment (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.53–2.03).

High

80%

Prescription pain-reliever misuse was also associated with higher odds of medical cannabis use (OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.49–2.51).

High

80%

The findings suggest co-use rather than substitution, emphasizing the need for updated clinical guidance on medical cannabis for pain management.

Good

70%

📄 Original Abstract

Chronic pain is a prevalent and costly public health issue in the United States. Prescription opioids remain a common treatment but carry significant risks. Medical cannabis has emerged as a potential alternative, though access and use may vary by state medical cannabis laws. Prior research using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data found that appropriate use and misuse of prescription pain relievers were associated with increased odds of medical cannabis use. We extend this work using 2022-2023 data. To assess the prevalence of past-year medical cannabis use among United States adults, both in all states and in states without legalized medical cannabis use, and to examine associations with prescription pain reliever use and demographic, substance use, and psychiatric characteristics. We analyzed pooled 2022-2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. The outcome was past-year medical cannabis use and the primary predictor was past-year prescription pain reliever use. Survey-weighted Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression examined associations with covariates. Among 256 million U.S. adults, 3.9% reported past-year medical cannabis use. Appropriate prescription pain reliever use (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.53-2.03, p < 0.001) and misuse (OR = 1.94, CI = 1.49-2.51, p < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of medical cannabis use after adjustment. Medical cannabis use remains stable overall but more prevalent among adults using prescription pain relievers, suggesting co-use rather than substitution and a need for updated clinical guidance on medical cannabis for pain management.