December 8, 2025—Bronx, NY—A groundbreaking study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that adults with chronic pain who participated in New York State’s Medical Cannabis Program were significantly less likely to require prescription opioids. The research, spearheaded by experts at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, offers promising insights into the potential of medical cannabis as a tool in addressing the opioid crisis.
“Chronic pain and opioid addiction are two of the most pressing health challenges in the United States,” stated Deepika E. Slawek, M.D., M.S., the study’s lead author and an associate professor of medicine at Einstein. “Our findings indicate that medical cannabis, when dispensed through a pharmacist-supervised system, can relieve chronic pain while also meaningfully reducing patients’ reliance on prescription opioids. Supervised use of medical cannabis could be an important tool in combatting the opioid crisis.”
Study Highlights: Impact on Opioid Use
The study involved 204 adults who were prescribed opioids for chronic pain and were newly certified for medical cannabis between September 2018 and July 2023. Participants were monitored over an 18-month period, with data collected from the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program.
At the study’s outset, participants reported high levels of pain and were taking an average daily opioid dose equivalent to 73.3 mg of morphine. Over the follow-up period, this average daily dose decreased to 57 mg, marking a 22% reduction.
“Those participants who received a 30-day supply of medical cannabis used the equivalent of 3.5 fewer mg of morphine per day than those who received no cannabis during the same month,” Dr. Slawek noted. “These changes may seem small, but gradual reductions in opioid use are safer and more sustainable for people managing chronic pain than stopping suddenly.”
Expert Opinions and Future Implications
Julia Arnsten, M.D., M.P.H., the study’s senior author and chief of the division of general internal medicine at Montefiore Einstein, emphasized the significance of these findings. “This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting a medicalized model of cannabis use, where pharmacists are actively involved in dispensaries and cannabis is treated like other prescription drugs. We hope these findings will lead to new policies encouraging the effective management of chronic pain through use of regulated substances.”
The move represents a shift towards integrating medical cannabis into mainstream pain management strategies, potentially influencing future healthcare policies and practices. The study’s authors include a diverse team of researchers, such as Chenshu Zhang, Ph.D., Yuval Zolotov, Ph.D., and others, who contributed to this comprehensive analysis.
Background and Broader Context
The announcement comes as the United States continues to grapple with an opioid epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives. Opioid addiction often begins with prescription painkillers, making alternative pain management strategies crucial. The potential for medical cannabis to reduce opioid dependency could be a game-changer in public health.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading centers for medical research and education, played a pivotal role in this study. With over 2,000 full-time faculty members and significant funding from the National Institutes of Health, Einstein is at the forefront of addressing complex health challenges, including cancer, diabetes, and now, opioid addiction.
Looking Ahead: Policy and Practice
This development follows a growing trend of states exploring medical cannabis programs as part of their public health strategies. As evidence mounts, the integration of cannabis into medical practice may expand, offering patients safer, more sustainable pain management options.
According to sources, policymakers are closely monitoring these findings to consider potential legislative changes that could support wider access to medical cannabis. The hope is that such measures will not only alleviate chronic pain but also curb the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across the nation.
Meanwhile, the healthcare community continues to advocate for more research and education on the benefits and risks of medical cannabis, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their needs.
In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of innovative approaches in healthcare, particularly in addressing the dual challenges of chronic pain and opioid addiction. As the conversation around medical cannabis evolves, its role in public health policy and clinical practice is likely to grow, offering new hope for patients and healthcare providers alike.
