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Since 2000, a growing number of states have authorized cannabis laws, which in turn, have increased U.S. medical cannabis use (31% in 2000 to 68% in 2020). A prior study found that cannabis use prevalence is higher among adults with disabilities (16.6%) than those without disabilities (10.9%). George Mason University’s Health Administration and Policy faculty researchers co-authored a new chapter in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability that provides an overview of cannabis use among people with disabilities.
Despite its growing and widespread use among adults with disabilities, Gilbert Gimm, the lead author of the chapter, notes a lack of rigorous evidence on safety and efficacy from large-scale U.S. studies.
“While the benefits of medical cannabis use for adults with disabilities include managing chronic pain and reducing anxiety, it can lead to adverse effects such as cannabis use disorder and harmful drug interactions,” said Gimm, an associate professor in the College of Public Health. Professor and interim Chair Panagiota Kitsantas and Associate Professor Phillip Zane are co-authors of the chapter, as well as Sharon Reif, a professor and substance use researcher from Brandeis University.
People with disabilities often use cannabis to manage chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The chapter outlines these reasons for medical cannabis use, potential benefits and risks, and current cannabis policy with a focus on the U.S. The researchers seek to galvanize support for future research on this topic.
“I hope the chapter will be useful for clinicians and policymakers in raising awareness of the growing use of medical cannabis among adults with disabilities. Further research is needed to better understand its long-term health effects, establish safe dosage guidelines, and ensure its responsible and effective use among adults with disabilities,” Gimm said.
The chapter concludes with three recommendations for future research:
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Future cannabis studies should include people with disabilities to assess impacts on patient outcomes, including temporary spasticity relief and pain management.
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Aligning U.S. federal and state policies regarding cannabis use would increase the ability to conduct rigorous evidence on safety and efficacy.
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Policymakers should consider how standardizing federal and state regulations would affect cannabis retailers, producers, and consumers.
Gimm’s research focus areas include disability and aging, health care financing, access to care, and substance use in youth and adults with disabilities. Kitsantas studies medical cannabis and substance use among pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age, particularly among vulnerable populations. Zane practiced law for over two decades, and now teaches courses in health economics and policy, and other areas.
Thumbnail photo by Stephen Cobb via Unsplash.