Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Lead: Chronic pain, cannabis legalisation, and cannabis use disorder
Lead Story:
The Lancet Psychiatry
The prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) in patients with chronic pain is increasing. This study considered the impact of both recreational (RCL) and medical cannabis laws (MCL) on the diagnosis of CUD using a VA population with chronic pain. Results demonstrate that MCL led to a 0.135% increase in the prevalence of CUD. Enacting RCL led to a 0.188% increase in its prevalence. The authors emphasize the importance of these findings and their public health implications, with a focus on clinician monitoring and patient education.
Version: 20240731