“The Effect of Enrollment in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program on Prescription Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients”

Presented By University of New Mexico Investigators:

Jacob Miguel Vigil, PhD

Department of Psychology 

and 

Sarah See Stith, PhD

Department of Economics

Presentation Description:

The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program (NMMCP) was created in 2007, enabling the medical-advised authorization and regulation of cannabis treatment for people with chronic, debilitating health conditions. There are approximately 35,000 patients enrolled in the NMMCP, and a total of 28+ Programs throughout the U.S. These programs are unique, not only because they allow patients to self-manage their cannabis treatment, but they operate in defiance of U.S. federal law, making it challenging for researchers to measure their effectiveness. We describe the first study in the U.S. to measure how enrollment in a MCP effects prescription narcotic use and quality of life in people diagnosed with chronic debilitating pain.