Can Cannabis Help You Use Fewer Opioids?
What Researchers Found About Chronic Pain and Cannabis
The Study at a Glance
Published
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2017
Researchers
HelloMD & UC Berkeley (United States)
Study Type
Patient SurveyParticipants
2,897 patients
Key Finding
97% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that cannabis helped them decrease the amount of opioids they use, with 92% preferring cannabis over opioids for pain management.
Key Finding: 97% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that cannabis helped them decrease the amount of opioids they use, with 92% preferring cannabis over opioids for pain management.
What Researchers Studied About Chronic Pain and Cannabis
With opioid overdoses now the leading cause of accidental death in America, researchers wanted to know: Can medical cannabis help people reduce their reliance on dangerous painkillers?
They surveyed nearly 3,000 medical cannabis patients to understand how cannabis affects their use of opioid medications like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet.
This matters because finding safer alternatives to opioids could save thousands of lives each year while still providing effective pain relief to patients who need it.
How This Survey Study Was Conducted
Researchers partnered with HelloMD, a medical cannabis platform, to survey their patients. They asked about:
• Current and past opioid use • How cannabis compared to opioids for pain relief • Whether cannabis helped them cut back on opioids • Side effects from each treatment
The survey collected responses from 2,897 medical cannabis patients, with 34% reporting they had used opioid painkillers in the past 6 months.
Chronic Pain Treatment Results
The Main Results:
- 197% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that cannabis helped them decrease the amount of opioids they use
- 292% of patients preferred cannabis over opioids for pain management
- 393% said they would choose cannabis over opioids if both were equally available
- 4Patients reported significantly fewer side effects from cannabis than from opioids
- 581% agreed that using cannabis alone was more effective than using cannabis with opioids
By the Numbers
| Statistic | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 97% | of patients were able to decrease their opioid use when also using cannabis |
| 92% | preferred cannabis over opioids for pain management |
| 2,897 | medical cannabis patients surveyed |
| 34% | of surveyed patients had used opioid painkillers in the past 6 months |
of patients were able to decrease their opioid use when also using cannabis
preferred cannabis over opioids for pain management
medical cannabis patients surveyed
of surveyed patients had used opioid painkillers in the past 6 months
What This Means for Chronic Pain Patients
If you're currently using opioid painkillers for chronic pain, this study suggests cannabis might help you:
• Reduce your opioid dose (with your doctor's guidance) • Experience fewer side effects • Maintain similar or better pain relief • Improve your overall quality of life
Important: Don't stop or reduce opioids on your own. Work with your doctor to develop a plan that might include medical cannabis as part of a comprehensive pain management strategy.
If you're concerned about opioid dependence or want to explore alternatives, medical cannabis may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Quick Answers: Chronic Pain and Cannabis
Direct answers based on the findings of this study:
Research Summary: Answers are based on published peer-reviewed studies and represent research findings, not medical recommendations. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.
Can I use weed instead of opioids for pain?
Yes, research suggests cannabis may help reduce opioid use. A 2017 survey of 2,897 patients found that 97% were able to reduce their opioid use after adding medical marijuana, with most reporting fewer side effects (Reiman et al., Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research).
Source: Reiman et al., Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2017 (PMID: 28861516)
Is marijuana better than painkillers for chronic pain?
Yes, patients report preferring marijuana. In a 2017 survey of nearly 3,000 patients, 92% preferred marijuana over opioids for chronic pain, citing fewer side effects and better quality of life (Reiman et al.).
Source: Reiman et al., Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2017 (PMID: 28861516)
Can weed replace my pain medication?
Possibly, with medical supervision. A 2017 study of 2,897 patients found 81% of medical marijuana users considered cannabis alone more effective than cannabis with opioids, suggesting potential for replacement of opioid pain medications.
Source: Reiman et al., Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2017 (PMID: 28861516)
This is educational content, not medical advice
The research summarized here is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and what works in studies may not work the same way for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan or starting medical cannabis therapy.
Important Limitations
This study has some caveats to keep in mind when interpreting the results:
- Self-selected sample: These were people already using medical cannabis, so they may be biased toward it
- Self-reported data: Patients reported their own experiences, which wasn't verified medically
- No control group: There was no comparison to patients who didn't use cannabis
- Doesn't prove causation: We can't say cannabis definitely caused the opioid reduction—other factors may be involved
- Survey design: Online surveys have inherent limitations compared to clinical trials
The Bottom Line on Cannabis for Chronic Pain
While this wasn't a clinical trial, nearly 3,000 patients reported that cannabis helped them use fewer opioids with better quality of life. For chronic pain patients concerned about opioid dependence, medical cannabis may be worth discussing with your doctor. The overwhelming patient preference for cannabis over opioids—combined with the favorable side effect profile—suggests this is an area deserving of more rigorous clinical research.
Do You Qualify for Medical Marijuana?
If you're living with Chronic Pain, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card. Our licensed physicians can evaluate you from home via telehealth.
Related Research & Resources
Related Research
- What Does Science Actually Know About Medical Cannabis?
- Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
- Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia: What 367 Patients Experienced
- Does Cannabis Really Help Chronic Pain? What 32 Clinical Trials Found
- Cannabis Benefits and Risks: What 101 Studies Reveal
Condition Research
Get Your Card
This condition qualifies for medical marijuana in:
Source
Reiman A, Welty M, Solomon P. "Cannabis as a Substitute for Opioid-Based Pain Medication: Patient Self-Report" Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2017. DOI: 10.1089/can.2017.0012
Important Information
Study Age: This study was published 9 years ago. Newer research may have updated or refined these findings.
Not Medical Advice: This research summary is for educational purposes only. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
Individual Variation: Research findings represent group averages. Your individual response to cannabis may differ based on genetics, other medications, underlying conditions, and many other factors.
Last reviewed: January 24, 2026
Important Notices
Research Summary Disclaimer
This content represents our interpretation of published scientific research for educational purposes. It should not be used to make treatment decisions without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary from study findings.
FDA Notice
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any medical condition except specific prescription medications.
Copyright & Fair Use
Research summaries are provided under fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) for educational purposes. We provide brief summaries with attribution, not full reproductions. All studies remain the intellectual property of their respective authors and publishers.
Data Sources
Study information sourced from PubMed®, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.
For complete information, see our Terms of Use and Research Content Policy.
FAQs: Cannabis for Chronic Pain
What did the 2017 study find about cannabis and opioid use?
Yes, 97% of patients reported being able to decrease opioid use. A 2017 survey of 2,897 medical cannabis patients found that 97% agreed they were able to decrease opioids when also using cannabis, with 92% preferring cannabis over opioids for pain management.
Can I stop taking opioids and switch to cannabis?
No, never stop opioids without medical supervision. While this study suggests cannabis may help some patients reduce opioid use, any changes to your pain management regimen should be done under medical supervision to avoid withdrawal and ensure safe, effective pain control.
Is cannabis safer than opioids for pain management?
It may be for some patients. In this survey, patients reported fewer side effects from cannabis than from opioids. Cannabis has a lower risk of fatal overdose than opioids, but individual responses vary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
Does this study prove cannabis is effective for pain?
Not definitively. This study shows patient-reported experiences, not clinical effectiveness. While 97% of patients reported benefits, this was a self-selected survey without a control group. More rigorous clinical trials are needed.
Where can I get medical cannabis for chronic pain?
Yes, chronic pain qualifies in most states. Chronic pain is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in most states with medical cannabis programs. MMJ.com can connect you with licensed physicians who can evaluate whether medical cannabis is right for your situation.