New Study Finds Medical Marijuana Significantly Reduces Healthcare Use Among Chronic Pain Patients

A new study published in the journal Pharmacy adds to a growing body of research supporting the use of medical marijuana as an effective treatment option for chronic pain. The analysis, conducted by researchers from Leafwell, a cannabis telehealth company, and George Mason University, found that chronic pain patients who used cannabis for at least one year experienced significantly lower healthcare utilization than non-users.

In particular, those who used medical marijuana reported fewer visits to urgent care and emergency departments, alongside a higher overall quality of life. The study evaluated real-world data from more than 5,200 patients and highlighted potential cost-saving and quality-of-life benefits of cannabis-based pain management.

Cannabis Users Report Fewer Unhealthy Days and Lower Emergency Room Visits

The findings show measurable reductions in healthcare service usage. Cannabis-exposed individuals had a 2.0 percentage point decrease in urgent care visits and a 3.2 percentage point drop in emergency room visits compared to their non-cannabis-using counterparts. They also reported fewer unhealthy days per month, indicating better day-to-day functioning and wellness.

While hospitalization rates were also lower among the cannabis group, the reduction was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the overall trend supports the idea that medical marijuana may reduce reliance on high-cost healthcare services, especially among those with chronic, long-term pain conditions.

Study Uses Real-World Patient Data From Over 5,000 Chronic Pain Patients Across 36 States

The researchers analyzed patient information from Leafwell, which provides medical cannabis certifications in 36 U.S. states. The study involved 5,242 individuals living with chronic pain. Among them, 3,943 had used cannabis in the prior year and were seeking recertification of their medical marijuana cards, while 1,299 were first-time patients with no recent cannabis use.

This robust data set allowed researchers to make meaningful comparisons between consistent cannabis users and non-users, providing clearer insights into how long-term cannabis use affects health behaviors and outcomes.

Medical Marijuana Tied to Improved Quality of Life for Chronic Pain Patients

One of the most significant findings from the study is the reported improvement in quality of life. Patients using cannabis for chronic pain consistently described better physical and emotional well-being, suggesting that medical marijuana does more than just manage symptoms, it may also enhance life satisfaction and daily functionality.

The study also connects these improvements to reduced healthcare dependency, building a case for medical cannabis not only as an effective treatment but also as a tool for improving broader health metrics.

Previous Research Confirms That Medical Cannabis Is Cost-Effective for Multiple Conditions

This study is not an outlier. Leafwell has been involved in multiple research efforts evaluating the therapeutic and economic potential of cannabis. One study published in Clinical Drug Investigation found that cannabis especially in edible, oral, or tablet form was a cost-effective adjunctive therapy for PTSD, especially under reimbursement scenarios where health insurers cover part of the cost.

This growing body of evidence indicates that medical cannabis may be more affordable and effective than some traditional treatments, particularly for conditions where current therapies have limitations or significant side effects.

State-Level Medical Marijuana Legalization Has Been Linked to Lower Health Insurance Costs

Other research has examined broader economic impacts. A study released last fall concluded that in states where medical marijuana is legal, health insurance premiums were 3.4 percent lower—a savings of around $238 per employee per year. If medical cannabis were legalized nationwide, the study estimated potential national savings of $29 billion annually on health insurance costs alone.

These findings demonstrate how access to cannabis may relieve pressure on both individual and systemic healthcare costs, further justifying expanded legal access and insurance coverage.

Cannabis Is Also Being Explored as a Safe Alternative to Opioids for Pain Management

Cannabis’s potential as an alternative to opioid medications has garnered increasing attention. Multiple recent studies have found that marijuana not only helps manage chronic pain effectively but also reduces reliance on opioid painkillers.

In one survey of Pennsylvania patients with musculoskeletal pain, over 80 percent reported that cannabis helped manage their symptoms. Many said they reduced or stopped taking opioids altogether after starting cannabis therapy. A study published in BMJ Open similarly found that cannabis may offer comparable pain relief with fewer discontinuation rates than opioids.

Broader Access to Medical Marijuana May Help Combat the Opioid Epidemic

Legal cannabis access has also been associated with lower opioid prescription rates, reduced opioid dependency, and even fewer opioid-related overdose deaths. A federally funded study found that marijuana legalization led to declines in opioid prescriptions among adults with private insurance, suggesting patients are choosing cannabis over opioids for pain relief.

Other research has shown a consistent negative relationship between cannabis legalization and opioid overdose deaths, with more pronounced effects in states that legalized earlier. One study estimated that recreational marijuana legalization is linked to a decrease of approximately 3.5 opioid deaths per 100,000 individuals.

Pediatric and Veteran Populations Also Report Benefits From Medical Cannabis

Leafwell’s research has also explored how younger patients and military veterans benefit from cannabis treatments. A review published in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids found that high-CBD, low-THC products improved quality of life for children with epilepsy and autism, with manageable side effects.

Among veterans, a significant number have reported using cannabis for pain, PTSD, mobility issues, and sleep. Surveys show that nearly all veteran participants support doctor-patient conversations about cannabis, emphasizing a shift in attitudes toward cannabis as a legitimate medical option.

Studies Show That Medical Marijuana Benefits Extend Across Age and Condition Types

A wide range of studies confirm that cannabis use helps with not only pain but also sleep disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and depression. In older adults (ages 50+), cannabis has been shown to be safe and effective for managing chronic conditions, improving mobility, and reducing the use of other medications.

Athletes, too, are increasingly turning to cannabis for natural pain relief and recovery, and research indicates that many find it more effective than conventional medications.

Medical Cannabis Offers a Viable, Cost-Effective Path Forward for Pain Management and Public Health

The study published in Pharmacy strengthens the argument that medical marijuana is not only an effective treatment for chronic pain but also a cost-saving tool for healthcare systems. By reducing emergency room visits, urgent care usage, and overall healthcare reliance, cannabis treatments may significantly improve both patient outcomes and public health costs.

As more states expand access and research continues to grow, medical cannabis is likely to become an integral part of chronic pain management strategies. These findings may also influence policymakers, insurers, and healthcare providers to integrate cannabis more widely into treatment programs, especially as a substitute for opioids and other high-risk medications.