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Cannabis

Cannabinoids and Low Back Pain

Teaser: 

Ted Findlay, DO, CCFP, FCFP

is on Medical Staff with the Calgary Chronic Pain Centre at Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone in Calgary, Alberta.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract:There is a great deal of interest in the use of cannabis-based products including medically authorized marijuana for the treatment of almost any pain condition including low back pain. There are many anecdotal reports of patients who found it an effective treatment for chronic low back pain, one that has allowed them in some cases to discontinue other treatments such as continuing opioid therapy. There is now easy legal access to cannabis-based preparations in Canada with or without medical authorization. However, with some notable exceptions, the evidence that would allow physicians to have a high degree of confidence in selecting this treatment modality is lacking.
Key Words: cannabis; chronic pain; low back pain; evidence.

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Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
1. Compared to medically authorized cannabis, street sourced products are at high risk of contamination including insect remains, fungi, chemical fertilizers and herbicides.
2. Unlike most plant-sourced medications, the active ingredients are located on the cannabis leaf, which raises the risk of contaminant exposure.
3. Cannabis leaves by themselves are inert until heated in a process known as decarboxylation.
4. While inhaled cannabis has a rapid onset of action, ingested products have a delayed onset producing a risk of overdose if continuing to consume while waiting for an expected effect.
5. Little is yet known about potential drug interactions with cannabis use.
Cannabis authorizing physicians will often recommend a higher THC:CBD ratio product for evening or bedtime use, and a higher CBD:THC ratio or pure CBD for daytime use.
As is true for any potential intoxicant, patients need to be cautioned about the risks of operating a motor vehicle or any machinery while under the influence of cannabinoids, especially higher THC ratio products.
Because it is a lipid soluble chemical, urine, blood, or hair tests can detect THC for many days after use. Standardized tools and principles exist for the appraisal of credible eHealth resources.
Physicians in Canada provide medical "authorization" for cannabis use, verifying that the patient has a medical condition for which cannabis could be a valid therapeutic option. This authorization then allows the patient to purchase from a licensed producer up to a recommended quantity in grams per day. Although the basic patient demographics and birthday are required, unlike a prescription, the exact component percentage and potency, method of ingestion, and frequency are not components of the authorization.
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Related Terms: Back Health, Cannabis, chronic pain, low back pain, evidence
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