Study: Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain Offers Similar Benefits as Opioids at Similar Cost, Without Overdose Risk

Researchers from McMaster University and the University of British Columbia used data from 90 randomized trials to build a one-year microsimulation model comparing the cost-effectiveness of medical cannabis and opioids. The study assessed both the financial cost and health outcomes, measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), from the perspective of a publicly funded health care system.

The findings showed that annual per-patient costs averaged $1,980 for oral cannabis and $1,851 for opioids. Both treatments delivered the same average QALY score of 0.582. Despite similar outcomes, only opioid use was associated with fatal and nonfatal overdoses. At standard cost-effectiveness thresholds, cannabis was found to be the more cost-effective option in 31% of simulations, offering a reasonable alternative for policymakers and clinicians considering safer treatment strategies.

The study concludes that medical cannabis may be a viable substitute for opioids in managing chronic pain, with comparable benefits, minimal cost impact, and a lower risk profile.