The medical cannabis program in Pennsylvania saw a significant shift in its qualifying conditions when anxiety was added to the list. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University revealed that anxiety quickly became the most common diagnosis for cannabis certifications in the state.
According to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the inclusion of anxiety as a qualifying condition had a profound impact on the composition of Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program. Prior to this addition, chronic pain was the predominant diagnosis, accounting for 67% of certifications, followed by PTSD at 16%. However, after anxiety was added, these numbers dropped to 41% and 11%, respectively, with anxiety diagnoses soaring to 60%.
The researchers analyzed data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health on 1,730,600 medical cannabis certifications issued between November 2017 and December 2023. They observed a nearly threefold increase in the number of certifications issued each month following the addition of anxiety as a qualifying condition.
Despite the surge in anxiety diagnoses, the study highlighted the lack of substantial evidence supporting cannabis as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders compared to other qualifying conditions like chronic pain. Lead author Coleman Drake expressed concerns that patients may perceive cannabis as a viable treatment for anxiety based on its inclusion in the program, despite the limited scientific backing.
Drake emphasized the need for more research to address the gaps in knowledge surrounding cannabis use and its potential therapeutic benefits. He noted that the evolving landscape of cannabis markets and the increasing prevalence of cannabis use underscore the urgency of filling these knowledge gaps.
The study’s findings underscore the complexities and challenges associated with medical cannabis programs, particularly in the absence of robust scientific data. As states continue to expand their qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, it is imperative to conduct further research to better understand the implications and outcomes of such policy changes.
For more information on the study, titled “Medical Cannabis Certifications After Pennsylvania Added Anxiety Disorders as a Qualifying Condition,” published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, please visit the DOI link: DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-01037. The research was conducted by a team of experts from the University of Pittsburgh and Johns Hopkins University.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the impact of adding anxiety as a qualifying condition in Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research to inform policy decisions in the realm of medical cannabis.
