The association of medical cannabis use with quality of life in Illinois’ opioid alternative pilot program

In Illinois, the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP) was launched to expand access to medical cannabis to use as a direct substitute for opioids. Although therapeutic benefits have been reported in reducing opioid use, there is an absence of literature that examines how medical cannabis use impacts an individual’s quality of life (QoL). This study examines the association of medical cannabis use with QoL among the first enrollees in OAPP.

A survey was sent to enrollees between February and July 2019. Cannabis users (n=626) were compared to non-users (n=234) to determine whether there was an association between cannabis use within the past year and QoL. Ordered logistic regression and backwards stepwise regression modelling was used.

Across the study sample of 860 participants, the average age was 47 years; 60 % of the cohort was male; 72 % were not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin; 67 % were married. Across the entire study sample, the average perceived QoL was 2.86 (between ‘Good’ and ‘Fair’), with no statistically significant difference in QoL between the two groups (non-users: 2.85; cannabis users: 2.86; p=0.92). Logistic regression reported cannabis use within the past year did not have a statistically significant association with QoL (OR=1.33, 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 2.08, p=0.21).

Overall, there was no significant association between cannabis use within the past year and QoL. This may be attributed to pain being a qualifying condition to enter the program.