Marijuana for Medical Use Increases the Risk of Cannabis Use Disorder

Individuals using marijuana for relief from anxiety and depression are at greater risk of developing symptoms of cannabis use disorder (CUD), a study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found. 

Freedom from Regulatory Standards for Medical Marijuana

Medical use of marijuana has become hugely popular in the U.S. with as many as 37 states having legalized access to the substance through medical marijuana cards (MMCs). These cards can be obtained only after written approval from a licensed physician. However, under the current system, the approval can come from any physician and not necessarily the patient’s primary caregiver. The authorizations follow only a cursory examination with no recommendations for alternative treatments and no follow-up either. This is far from the regulatory standards that other medical fields are mandated to follow. 

Researchers at the MGH recruited 269 adults from the Greater Boston Area interested in obtaining an MMC. These individuals, with an average age of 37, were split into two groups, one which obtained the card immediately, while the other that was asked to wait for a period of 12 weeks before obtaining the MMC. The latter group would serve as control as both groups were tracked for a period of 12 weeks. 

Lessons from the Study

The researchers found that the risks of developing CUD were nearly twice as high in the group that got their MMCs immediately. The symptoms of CUD include the need for more cannabis to overcome drug tolerance and continued usage despite physical or psychological problems caused by the use of cannabis. Towards the end of the surveillance period, as many as 10 percent of individuals in the MMC group had been diagnosed with CUD with the number rising to 20 percent among those who were seeking MMC for treating anxiety or depression. 

There have been many claims about the benefits of medical marijuana for treating pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression, without sound scientific evidence to support them,” said Jodi Gilman, PhD, with the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH. The researchers claim that this is the first study of patients randomized to receive MMCs and have found that there are negative consequences to using cannabis for medical purposes. Individuals with anxiety, depression and pain also failed to report any improvements in this study. 

“Our study underscores the need for better decision-making about whether to begin to use cannabis for specific medical complaints, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, which are associated with an increased risk of cannabis use disorder,” Gilman added. “There needs to be better guidance to patients around a system that currently allows them to choose their own products, decide their own dosing, and often receive no professional follow-up care.”

Author

Ameya Paleja