Cannabis research into human health and symptom management has always been a struggle in the United States. In fact, for many years, American law and policymakers had to rely on other countries with fewer research obstacles to acquire evidence-based data about the effects of cannabis on specific health conditions.
Israel, along with the Netherlands and Canada, was one of the first countries to federally legalize medical cannabis. The cannabis industry has struggled through state challenges to legalization because medical cannabis brands have required evidence-based data regarding both safety and efficacy for patients.
On April 3, 2024, Tilray Brands Inc., or Tilray Medical (Nasdaq Tlry Tsx) in Canada, announced the completion of a new study, “Age-Related Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use: A Survey of Authorized Patients in Canada.” The results of the medical cannabis research were shared with the potential of “empowering the therapeutic alliance between patients and healthcare practitioners to make informed individual health decisions, transforming healthcare.”
The findings of the study provide more evidence-based proof that doctor-supervised cannabis has a valuable (and currently underutilized) role in patient care. The insights may help the worldwide community to live better through safe and regulated access to medical cannabis.
How Was The Study Conducted?
The data was retrieved from “The Canadian Cannabis Patient Survey,” or CCPS, conducted in 2021. In total, 2,697 patients participated, and the average age of patients surveyed was 54.3 years. The number of men slightly outnumbered women, with 49.1% female respondents.
When reviews like this are conducted, the patient’s identifying information is redacted or protected per health privacy laws. Because the majority of patients who participated were over the age of fifty, a large number of respondents had common age-related conditions, including chronic pain.
In the United States, an estimated 1 in 5 adults over the age of eighteen years has been diagnosed with chronic pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Historically, chronic pain has been treated with prescription opioid-class medications and NSAIDs.
However, the medical community acknowledges that long-term use of prescription pain medications can cause serious side effects. Some studies have demonstrated that opioid medications can increase pain sensitivity over time, which has patients and practitioners looking at alternative medicine options to manage debilitating pain symptoms more effectively.
What Were The Exciting Findings From the Tilray Medical Report?
Many are calling the Tilray Medical. Published report to be groundbreaking, providing evidence, according to medical cannabis research, that medical cannabis availability can have a profound impact on the quality of life for patients.
The findings from the study included:
- The primary symptoms that motivated patients to explore medical cannabis were chronic pain (27.8%) and arthritis (14.9%).
- Anxiety (9%) was the third most common primary symptom, followed by insomnia or sleep disruption disorders (34.6%) as a secondary symptom or wellness concern, comorbid with chronic pain diagnosis.
- 53.8% of adults reported a decrease in the use of prescription opioids in the one-year period prior to the study and attributed that to medical cannabis use.
Patients can self-medicate with other controlled substances when they are unable to find relief or effective symptom management. The Tillray Medical cannabis study reported that patients also reduced their use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances after being certified for medical cannabis use.
Tillray’s Medical Director, José Tempero, stated, “Our role in this initiative exemplifies our commitment to medical research, leading us one step closer to unlocking the full therapeutic potential of medical cannabis.”
Fostering Dignity for Patients With Chronic Symptoms
Tilray Medical continues to be the largest medical cannabis brand in Canada due to distribution and unprecedented production. The business continues to be a leading global cannabis provider. Tilray has supported medical trials globally, providing research that is empowering the worldwide community to consider doctor-supervised medical cannabis an important part of patient care.
The team at Tiray Medical has EU-GMP-certified cannabis products in over twenty (20) countries and an expansive portfolio of both THC and CBD brands. Tilray has conducted medical trials in Europe, Canada, America, Australia, and Latin America, providing insights into pediatric epilepsy, cancer-induced nausea, HIV, breast cancer disorders, PTSD, alcohol use disorder treatments, and much more.
Cannabis research inspires patients, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and lawmakers to consider safe and reliable access to cannabis as a missing piece to qualitative healthcare. Not only is the company a global leader, but the valuable research periodic reports filed help further the discussion and reduce the stigma of medical cannabis.
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
