Cannabis Use in Pain Patients

In recent years, the medical use of cannabis has garnered attention not only from patients, but from the general public as well. This increased attention makes it necessary for pharmacists to learn more about the potential risks and benefits of medical cannabis for their patients. As more states legalize the use of medical cannabis, pharmacists will need to become increasingly knowledgeable, especially in those states in which a pharmacist is required for the legal dispensing of medical cannabis. Although preliminary evidence suggests that cannabis may be useful for pain, only a few cannabis-based medications are approved by the FDA, and none are currently approved for treating any pain indication in the United States.