Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

There is mounting interest among patients and healthcare professionals about the clinical benefits of medical cannabis for various ailments, most commonly for pain relief. Some studies have concluded that medical cannabis may be an alternative for opioids in certain patient populations, while other studies concluded there is insufficient evidence. Medical cannabis is believed to be useful for treating several medical conditions and symptoms, and there is great debate about the safety and efficacy of cannabis for medicinal purposes. It is estimated that 2.1 million Americans use medical cannabis.The legalization and expansion of medical cannabis have created a great debate within the medical community. As the majority of states now allow medical cannabis use, pharmacists must be prepared to provide pharmaceutical care for patients who use medical cannabis, while practicing within the boundaries of the law.