Medicinal cannabis and chronic pain

Chronic pain is a complex condition related to injury, infection, surgery, or associated with an underlying disorder, including cancer, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and neurologic disease.

Chronic pain is becoming one of the health system's greatest challenges, significantly impacting the quality of life of thousands of patients. Without new treatment options, the number of patients suffering from chronic pain will grow, particularly with an ageing population.

Medicinal cannabis has been used for numerous years as an alternative option for the management of chronic pain. Several countries have legalised medicinal cannabis, while others have legalised cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use.

The legalisation of medicinal cannabis in New Zealand has added a ‘hot-topic’ new option to the conversation of chronic pain management in primary care.
•    a brief background on medicinal cannabis
•    evidence to date
•    contraindications and potential abuse
•    how and when to prescribe.
 

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Dr Giresh Kanji, Musculoskeletal Pain Specialist. It was reviewed by Connie Kang BPharm(Hons).