ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

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2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness would like to thank our patients for sharing their insights, experiences and time. This report would not be possible without you. We would also like to thank Brian Piper and his research team for leading data collection and analysis and Becky DeKeuster of the Wellness Connection of Maine for ongoing collaboration with Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness on this project. This report was complied by Leah Perkinson in collaboration with Brian Piper and Shayne Lynn and was reviewed by Ada Puches and Bridget Conry. VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

3 SURVEY OVERVIEW WHAT IS THE VERMONT MEDICAL CANNABIS SURVEY? In March of 2016, in collaboration with researchers from Husson University, Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center and Maine Health, Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness helped launch a large-scale survey of medical cannabis (marijuana) patients in Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. The main purpose of the survey was to better understand patients experience with medical cannabis and its impact on health and well-being. As of April 2016, Approximately 1,100 dispensary patients throughout Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont completed the survey. It was the first study of its kind in this region. This report is based on surveys completed by approximately 350 Vermonters. HOW WAS THE SURVEY CONDUCTED? In March 2016, an anonymous online survey was ed to approximately 900 Vermonters who were patients at Champlain Valley Dispensary or Southern Vermont Wellness. Approximately 350 patients completed the survey through Survey Monkey. Patients were not compensated to participate. HOW WAS THE DATA ANALYSED? Brian J. Piper, PhD, MS, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, led data analysis with his research team. Preliminary quantitative data analysis was conducted in SPSS. Preliminary qualitative data was analyzed using Wordle and thematic analysis techniques. VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

4 PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Note: Because patients self-selected to complete the survey, findings may not accurately represent the experiences of all patients. Not all questions were completed by all patients. In this report, the letter n indicates the number of patients that completed a given question. REFERRING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL The vast majority of patients reported that a medical doctor helped to complete their application to become a registered patient with the Vermont Marijuana Registry. A nurse practitioner (NP), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) assisted in the applications of almost 13% of patients, and a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) assisted about 7% of the 338 patients who responded to this question. DO; 6.8% Referring Healthcare Provider NP or APRN; 12.7% MD; 80.4% n = 338 VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

5 GENDER AND AGE More women than men completed the survey. Women, however, account for a smaller percent of all Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness patients. This means that women are overrepresented in the survey findings. Survey participants average age, however, is almost identical to the average age of all patients. Patients who completed survey All Patients Female 57% 46% Male 43% 54% Average Age Gender: n= 332; Age: n = 315 INCOME When asked, What are your annual earnings?, a little over 30% of patients reported earning less than $20,000 per year. The majority of patients (about 40%) reported earning between $20,000 and $60,000. About 10% of patients selected the prefer not to disclose option. $150,000+ $100,000-$149, % 6.5% $60,000-$99, % $40,000-$59, % $20,000-$39,900 $10,000 $19,900 $0 $9, % 20.2% 12.7% Percent of patients reporting income level n= 292 VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

6 PAIN The majority of patients who completed the survey reported they experience chronic pain. Do you have chronic pain? No 38% Yes 62% n= 369 Patients who experience chronic pain described using medical cannabis to treat a variety of types of pain. More than half who experience chronic pain use medical cannabis to treat back/neck pain. Note, percentages do not add up to 100 because patients could select more than one type of pain they experience. What type of pain are you using medical cannabis for? Back/Neck 57.5% Neuropathic 41.2% Post-Surgery Abdominal Trauma or injury Cancer Menstrual 3.5% 16.3% 14.9% 13.6% 8.9% Percent of patients reporting pain type n = 228 VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

7 As shown in the chart below, patients reported having been diagnosed with a variety of conditions by medical professionals such as physicians, physician s assistants and psychologists. Note, percentages do not add up to 100 because patients could select more than one condition. What conditions have you been diagnosed with? Arthritis 41.5% Anxiety disorder (generalized or social) Depression (major) Sleep disorder (insomnia) PTSD Migraine/Chronic Headache Cancer 28.2% 27.1% 22.5% 20.1% 17.1% 16.5% Percent of patients reporting condition n= 153 SUBSTITUTION EFFECT The majority of patients who reported taking medication for migraines or headaches, sleep, anxiety or opioids took a lot less or slightly less of these medications since starting medical Some survey questions asked patients to describe their opinions and experiences related to medical cannabis. These patient comments are highlighted in green. [Medical cannabis] eliminated the need for all [my] prescription pain medications. Significantly lower stress levels/anxiety and increased motivation for physical activity after usage. Patient comment VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

8 cannabis. Since starting medical cannabis, have you noticed a change in the amount of medications you use? Opioids 31% 38% Anxiety medications (benzos) 33.70% 34.90% Sleep medication 35% 28.80% Medications for migraines or headaches 29% 33.90% Depression medication 12.90% 21.60% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Taking a lot less Taking slightly less Depression n= 112; Anxiety medications: n = 85; Opioids n = 71; Sleep medication: n = 78; Migraine or headache medication: n = 64 VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

9 Findings from a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine demonstrate that medical cannabis laws are associated with lower opioid overdose death among individuals using opioids for medical purposes. 1 These findings suggest that access to medical cannabis among patients who have legitimate prescriptions for opioids, among whom 60% of all opioid overdoses occur 2, may decrease opioid overdoses. The researchers suggest that this group may benefit from medical cannabis laws for two reasons: 1. Patients with chronic pain who would have otherwise been prescribed opioids can choose medical cannabis instead. 2. Patients already receiving opioids who start medical cannabis treatment may experience improved pain relief and decrease their opioid dose and potentially decrease their risk of overdose. I was able to reduce tramadol from 2 times per day to 1 time per day I am happier due to being able to do more activities that I previously could not do due to pain. Patient comment 1 Bachhuber, Marcus A., et al. "Medical cannabis laws and opioid analgesic overdose mortality in the United States, " JAMA Internal Medicine (2014): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC grand rounds: prescription drug overdoses a US epidemic. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(1): VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

10 Some patients shared that medical cannabis also helps address side effects of prescription pain medication. I feel like the addition of Medical cannabis into my pain regimen has helped enhance the positive effects of the medications I am currently on and has actually assisted with the side effects of those medications, especially the nausea that was causing me anxiety about leaving my house. Patient comment My medications side effects of anxiety, lack of appetite are helped by cannabis. I sleep better with cannabis. I'm able to work longer and get more exercise using cannabis. Patient comment VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

11 SYMPTOM RELIEF When asked how effective medical cannabis is in treating symptoms or conditions, over 75% of patients reported that medical cannabis provides 50% or more relief from symptoms or conditions. 6% of patients experienced 0-30% Relief 18% of patients experienced 40-50% relief 50% of patients experienced % relief 26% of patients experienced 50-70% relief n= 326 Over 85% of patients agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: In general, I am satisfied with the level of symptom relief I get from medical cannabis. In general, I am satisfied with the level of symptom relief I get from medical cannabis Strongly agree 40% Agree 46% Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 3% 6% 5% Percent of patients who agree / disagree with statement n= 321 VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

12 The image below includes words patients used when describing what they like most about medical cannabis. Frequently used words are the most prominent. The image below includes words patients used when describing what they like least about medical cannabis. Frequently used words are the most prominent. VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

13 LIMITATIONS This was a voluntary survey. Participants may not be representative of all Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness patients. Data was based on self-report. Further research using other data sources (e.g. medical records) is needed. VT Cannabis Survey Preliminary Findings: August

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