Pain Relief and Overall Wellbeing of Patients Using Medical Marijuana

The Public Health Program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is partnering with Compassionate Care Foundation (CCF) in order to ascertain the impact of Medical Marijuana. We are conducting a year-long study (July 2014-2015) to explore various aspects associated with patients’ use of medicinal marijuana. Once a month patients fill out a survey to identify their use, form and strain of medical marijuana and then how it influences not only their pain, but 12 other physical and mental health variables. In addition, patients are asked about an increase or decrease in other medication they are taking and whether or not they have experienced any unexpected outcomes. Initial analysis from participating patients during the first five months, posits that patients reported statistically significant differences on 5 variables from time one to time two after using medical marijuana: decrease nausea; decrease intraocular pressure, decrease spasms, decrease seizure and increase mobility. Results also indicate the following: increase mood, quality of life and increase energy as the highest consequences; level of pain in the middle range (mean = 4.7;  1-10 scale); most frequent usage as 3-4 times a day (41%); 85% didn’t experience anything unexpected; and 50–65% indicate a reduction in the use of other pain medication.