An audit of patients currently using legally acquired cannabis as a means of managing chronic pain

Introduction: Chronic pain constitutes a significant challenge to healthcare today. In Canada, it is estimated that it costs healthcare over $6 billion per year. This audit investigates the medically approved use of cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain in 29 patients at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH). Methods: Twenty-nine patient charts were accessed at MGH. Relevant patient and usage information were collected from both patient charts and Marijuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) documents and compiled into a spreadsheet for analysis. Results: Information gathered from 19 males and 10 females revealed that chronic back pain was the most common cause of chronic pain. In addition to cannabis, 11 were currently taking prescribed narcotic medications, five were taking synthetic cannabinoids, and five were using over-the-counter medications. The remaining eight used cannabis alone as their primary means of managing pain. All patients reported improvements in pain after using cannabis. Conclusions: This audit suggests that cannabis can be effective at managing mild to moderate levels of pain in patients suffering from a variety of pathologies. Considering the economic, psychological and physical burden associated with pain, and the growing problem of prescribed narcotic dependency around the world, the need for further research into the uses of cannabis as an alternative method of pain management is clear.