# Cannabis Use Among Individuals Treated with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: Correlates, Patterns, and Motivations for Use > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-among-individuals-on-moud/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T08:01:38-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:02:49-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabis use among individuals on MOUD, focusing on patterns, motivations, and clinical correlates in opioid use disorder treatment. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #94High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Substance use & addiction journal Study Type Randomized Trial Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary [Cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) is prevalent among patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). However, little is known about factors associated with frequent [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/). To describe correlates, patterns, and motivations for cannabis use among individuals treated with MOUD. Participants from a randomized trial (n = 303) investigating a mind-body intervention adjunct to MOUD were compared based on frequent cannabis use (≥3 days/week) versus less frequent or no use, assessing demographic and clinical characteristics. Individuals with frequent cannabis use were invited to participate in a telephone survey exploring reasons for cannabis use, cannabis usage in treating symptoms/conditions, route, tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol content, and [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) screening. 47.5% of participants (n = 144) endorsed cannabis use, and 27% used cannabis frequently (≥3 days/week). Frequent cannabis use was associated with anxiety (Frequent cannabis use among individuals on MOUD was associated Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? 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Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Cannabis%20Use%20Among%20Individuals%20Treated%20with%20Medication%20for%20Opioid%20Use%20Disorder%3A%20Correlates%2C%20Patterns...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-among-individuals-treated-with-medication-for-opioid-use-disor%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-among-individuals-treated-with-medication-for-opioid-use-disor%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Cannabis%20Use%20Among%20Individuals%20Treated%20with%20Medication%20for%20Opioid%20Use%20Disorder%3A%20Correlates%2C%20Patterns...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabis-use-among-individuals-treated-with-medication-for-opioid-use-disor%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41689843/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41689843/) ## FAQ ### How common was cannabis use among people receiving medication for opioid use disorder? In this study of 303 participants, 47.5% (144 people) reported cannabis use, and 27% used cannabis frequently, defined as 3 or more days per week. The summary notes that cannabis use is prevalent among patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), but little is known about the factors tied to frequent use. ### Where did the participants in this MOUD cannabis study come from? Participants came from a randomized trial of 303 people testing a mind-body intervention added to medication for opioid use disorder. For this analysis, researchers compared people with frequent cannabis use against those with less frequent or no use, looking at demographic and clinical characteristics. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New Clinical Insights on Cannabis and Patient Outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) Discover recent clinical findings on cannabis use and its impact on patient health outcomes. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Understand the immediate effects of cannabis on brain function within the first day of use. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) [Thailand to shift cannabis shops to medical use as numbers plunge – Chinadaily.com.cn](https://cedclinic.com/thailand-cannabis-medical-use-policy-shift-2026/) Explore policy changes in Thailand regarding cannabis shops and [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) use trends. [Explore](https://cedclinic.com/thailand-cannabis-medical-use-policy-shift-2026/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).