Medical Marijuana Card Effects on Symptoms of Anxiety, Pain, and Depression

 

 

Until now, there has been little information on the effects of medical marijuana cards. This study evaluated the effects of medical marijuana cards on the symptoms of anxiety, pain, and depression.

 

The study participants were a group of young adults with behavioral health conditions. Their eligibility to use medical marijuana was determined by a variety of qualifying conditions. For example, the study included participants who suffered from anorexia, arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, panic attacks, migraines, severe nausea, and persistent muscle spasms.

 

To evaluate the effect of a medical marijuana card on symptoms, participants were divided into two groups: the immediate card acquisition group and the delayed card acquisition group. The immediate group had the opportunity to obtain a medical marijuana card immediately after randomization. They were asked to complete an assessment of their physical and behavioral health before the card was obtained. The delayed group had to wait a minimum of 12 weeks to obtain a card.

 

At baseline, participants were asked whether they used marijuana. They were also asked to indicate the payment plans for MMJ card  on which they were currently authorized to use. Participants with multiple conditions were asked to report symptoms in all health domains. The multiple conditions group reported higher depressive symptoms than the non-medical group but did not report more physical health problems.

 

A statistical model was used to estimate the mean difference in symptom scores between the two groups. A linear model was used to estimate the odds ratio for a CUD diagnosis. The study also examined the effects of medical marijuana on symptoms of insomnia and chronic pain. In the first round, participants who reported marijuana use were asked to select all conditions for which they were currently authorized to use MM. The results showed that participants who chose to use medical marijuana were more symptomatic than those who did not.

 

In addition, the study also assessed the quantity and frequency of marijuana use at baseline. Both groups reported more frequent use of marijuana than non-cardholders. However, MM card holders reported more problematic use of marijuana, such as frequent drug use, higher smoked marijuana amounts, and higher frequency of marijuana use. The study also found that Patient Forward in both groups had high retention rates after randomization.

 

In addition to the baseline assessment, participants were also asked to complete a post-baseline assessment. They were asked to report their symptoms in all health domains, as well as whether they used marijuana after receiving a medical marijuana card. MM cardholders were also asked to report their symptoms of poor physical and mental health. In addition, they were asked to report any symptoms that were more severe than those reported by those without a medical marijuana card. The results showed that participants who used marijuana reported higher levels of anxiety, pain, and depression. However, participants in the Behavioral Health group did not report higher levels of anxiety, depression, or poor sleep quality. You can get more enlightened on this topic by reading here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol.