The Real Faces of Medical Cannabis: Surprising Insights from 81,000 Patients
Medical cannabis use has surged in the past decade, driven by legislative changes and a growing awareness of its potential therapeutic benefits.
As of 2024, medical cannabis is legal in 38 U.S. states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, with about 4.1 million registered medical cannabis patients.
Despite the rise in use, there’s still much to learn about who these patients are, what conditions they’re managing, and the complexities of their health issues.
Leafwell, a leading telehealth platform, dove into its 2022 patient database to shed light on these questions. The findings offer a clearer picture of the modern medical cannabis user.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Chronic pain is the most common reason for medical cannabis use, with 32% of patients citing it as their primary condition.
- Anxiety is increasingly common, affecting 26.8% of patients, including 33.5% of Hispanic patients.
- Over 58% of patients report multiple conditions, with the average person managing two or more, highlighting the complexity of cannabis treatment.
- PTSD ranks third among qualifying conditions, affecting 11.2% of patients, speaking to cannabis as a growing tool for mental health management, particularly for trauma survivors.
Who’s Using Medical Cannabis?
In 2022, Leafwell saw over 81,000 new medical cannabis patients across 32 states. The data paints a broad picture of cannabis users’ demographics and the conditions they’re treating.
Chronic Pain and Anxiety Are Key Drivers
Chronic pain was the most frequently reported primary qualifying condition (PQC), with 32% of patients identifying it as their main reason for seeking cannabis. This reflects the ongoing need for alternative pain management options, as many patients struggle with traditional medications.
Anxiety followed closely behind, with 26.8% of patients citing it as their primary condition.
Hispanic patients were especially likely to use cannabis for anxiety, with 33.5% listing it as their primary condition compared to about 25% of other racial/ethnic groups.
Mental Health Needs Are Rising
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was the third-most common condition, affecting 11.2% of patients.
The focus on PTSD highlights the increasing role of cannabis in mental healthcare, particularly among veterans and trauma survivors.
Cannabis has shown potential in managing symptoms like insomnia, nightmares, and hypervigilance — often where traditional treatments fall short.
The Diversity of Cannabis Users
Forget the old stereotypes — medical cannabis isn’t just for a specific group of people.
Leafwell’s data shows that it is used by a wide range of patients, whether young or old, men or women, and from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The analysis of Leafwell’s 81,000 patients shows that cannabis is helping all kinds of people manage their health issues.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or something else, medical cannabis has become a go-to option for many across the U.S., proving its value no matter who you are or where you come from.
Age
The majority of patients (65%) fell between the ages of 21 and 49, with an average age of 40.1.
While this group dominates cannabis use, a notable portion of younger patients (8.3%) and older adults (25.4%) also sought cannabis treatment.
Insomnia was especially common among younger patients under 21, with 11.2% reporting it as their primary condition — double the rate seen in older groups.
Gender
Men and women were nearly equally represented, with men making up 51.1% of patients and women 48.9%.
While both genders used cannabis for a variety of reasons, men were more likely to report chronic pain as their primary condition, while women showed slightly higher rates of anxiety.
Race and Ethnicity
Leafwell’s data showed that 71.5% of patients were white non-Hispanic, followed by Black non-Hispanic (10.4%), Hispanic (8.4%) and patients from other races (7.1%).
Chronic pain was more frequently reported among white and Black non-Hispanic patients, while anxiety was more prominent among Hispanic patients.
Though deeper analysis needs to occur, this may be an interesting reflection of cultural differences in how health issues are addressed or access to healthcare resources.
Cannabis for Multiple Health Issues
One of the most interesting aspects of Leafwell’s research was the number of patients managing more than one condition.
Only 41.4% of patients reported a single condition, while the majority listed at least one additional issue, and many had three or more.
Anxiety (32.9%) and chronic pain (22.3%) weren’t just the leading primary conditions; they were also the most frequent secondary conditions.
Insomnia (18.5%) appeared as the most common third-ranked condition, with muscle spasms and PTSD emerging as frequent fourth- and fifth-ranked conditions.
This range of co-occurring issues highlights how cannabis is often used to treat multiple problems at once, underscoring its therapeutic versatility.
The average patient reported at least two conditions, indicating that medical cannabis users often face complex health challenges.
This complexity suggests that healthcare providers and policymakers need to think beyond single-condition treatments and consider how cannabis fits into broader healthcare strategies.
Implications for Healthcare and Policy
Leafwell’s findings offer several important takeaways for healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients:
- Chronic Pain Solutions Are Still Needed
Millions of Americans live with chronic pain, and many are seeking cannabis as a non-opioid alternative. The high percentage of patients using cannabis for pain relief underscores the need for more effective treatments that avoid the risks associated with opioids. - Cannabis Plays a Growing Role in Mental Health
The prevalence of anxiety and PTSD as primary and co-occurring conditions shows that cannabis is becoming a viable option for mental healthcare. As research continues, we may discover cannabis plays an even larger role in managing these complex conditions. - Tailored Cannabis Treatments Are Key
Demographic variations in conditions highlight the need for personalized cannabis treatments. Healthcare providers should be aware of these differences when making recommendations, and policymakers should consider them when crafting cannabis-related legislation. - Cannabis Treats Multiple Conditions
The prevalence of co-occurring conditions shows that cannabis is often used to manage several health issues at once. This complexity should be reflected in both healthcare practices and public policy.
Cannabis: A Growing Force in Changing Healthcare
Leafwell’s patient data offers a comprehensive snapshot of how medical cannabis is helping a diverse range of people manage complex health issues — from chronic pain to anxiety and PTSD. These insights are invaluable for healthcare providers and policymakers looking to highlight the broader impacts of medical cannabis.
As cannabis continues to evolve as a treatment option, so will our understanding of its role in healthcare. With millions of Americans turning to cannabis for relief, it’s clear this plant is making a meaningful difference — one patient at a time.
Leafwell’s research underscores the diversity of cannabis users, the prevalence of comorbidities, and cannabis’s increasing role in mental and physical healthcare. These insights provide a valuable roadmap for understanding the future of medical cannabis, and we’re proud to be responsible for the research.
Let’s keep the conversation going as we explore the incredible potential cannabis holds.