Medical cannabis: A solution for chronic pain?

Although 'medical marijuana' has been available for several years, since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, there has been renewed interest in the potential medical uses for cannabis; particularly for managing chronic pain.

We've asked Dr. Jason Busse to talk with us about how cannabis works to relieve pain, what the research says about its effectiveness and potential side effects, and what benefits there may be compared to opioids to assist with chronic pain relief. You'll meet Anne, who has arthritis in her knee and has been talking to her doctors about alternative methods for her pain management; one of which is cannabis.

0:00 - Meet Anne
0:29 - What are chronic pain and medical cannabis?
1:33 - How does cannabis work to help relieve pain?
2:27 - What are the different formats of medical cannabis?
3:17 - What does the research say about using medical cannabis for chronic pain?
5:08 - What is the quality of the research?
9:00 - What are some of the benefits of medical cannabis in comparison to opioids for chronic pain relief?
12:30 - What are the side effects or risks of cannabinoids used for medical purposes?
17:00 - Who should avoid using medical cannabis for chronic pain?
20:49 - What is a 'weak' medical recommendation?


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This work is supported through the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and funds provided by the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

Disclaimer: These videos are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The videos may be used for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal ([email protected]).