Surveys conducted by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management recorded patients’ reports of lower prescription opioid needs and providers’ views on medical cannabis. These are self-reported experiences and opinions, rather than evidence from a controlled treatment trial.
The June 2023 surveys were sent to 4,113 providers and 123,075 patients with active, expired or cancelled certifications. They received 265 provider responses and 10,781 patient responses, as confirmed in the Office’s 2024 annual report. The larger figures describe people contacted, not people who completed the surveys.
Key Findings from the Survey
Among the notable findings:
- 84% of responding providers who prescribed opioids supported using medical cannabis to reduce opioid use for pain management. This result concerns the subgroup of 129 opioid-prescribing providers.
- 75% of provider respondents believe that cannabis poses less risk compared to opioids.
- 66% of patient respondents indicated that their use of medical cannabis has reduced their reliance on prescription opioids.
The survey report records perceived changes in opioid needs. It does not establish that cannabis caused those changes or reduced opioid addiction. The distinction matters when discussing responses to the opioid crisis.
Patient Satisfaction with New York’s Medical Cannabis Program
The survey also highlighted high levels of satisfaction among patients with the state's medical cannabis programme. A significant 79% of active patient respondents stated that they plan to continue using the programme when their current certification expires, and 86% of respondents mentioned that they would recommend the programme to their friends or family members.
The Broader Implications
These responses help describe attitudes within the programme. They do not establish comparative safety or justify changing prescribed treatment without clinical guidance. The report advises patients to work with their healthcare providers when considering opioid dose reductions.
The findings from New York State contribute to a broader discussion on the role of cannabis in contemporary healthcare, especially in the context of the ongoing opioid epidemic.
My Perspective on the Findings
As a journalist who has covered various aspects of healthcare over the years, I find these survey results to be both compelling and indicative of a significant shift in pain management practices.
Patient satisfaction and supportive provider opinions are useful findings, but they should be interpreted within the responding population. People who never participated in the programme were not represented.
Further research is needed to distinguish reported experiences from treatment effects. These findings can inform that work without being treated as proof that cannabis resolves opioid dependence.
