# Survey of Herbal Cannabis (Marijuana) Use in Rheumatology Clinic Attenders > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/herbal-cannabis-use-rheumatology-survey/ > **Published:** 2022-09-13T19:42:46-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:27-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore herbal cannabis use in rheumatology patients with confirmed diagnoses and its impact on pain and treatment outcomes. --- Herbal cannabis has gained mainstream popularity as an effective therapy for many conditions, most noticeably pain. Because [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/) is the most common and prominent symptom of rheumatic diseases – which include inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia among others – it is not surprising that these diseases are frequently cited by [medicinal cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/clinic-based-dispensary-models-medicinal-cannabis-ethics/) users as the reason for seeking cannabis. A recent [clinical study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-psychiatric-risk/) at McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada, however, raised questions regarding the validity of such claims. This study included 1000 patients with various rheumatic diseases diagnosed and actively treated by rheumatologists of the centre. Among this group, only 28 (2.8%) reported concurrent use of [medicinal cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/clinic-based-dispensary-models-medicinal-cannabis-ethics/), although another 15 said to have used it at some points in the past. This low rate of use in patients with rheumatologist-confirmed diagnoses was in stark contrast to the high rates of severe arthritis frequently reported by medicinal marijuana users. Another finding was that the level of pain as indicated by the patients, as well as incidence of opioid use, were greater for concurrent cannabis users compared to non-users, despite the two groups having similar physician-assessed disease statuses. Researchers speculated two possible explanations for this phenomenon. On the one hand, herbal cannabis itself, rather than the rheumatic disease, was associated with negative outcomes. This was particularly possible since familiarity with marijuana as a recreational product was also found to be strongly associated with later consumption for pain-relief purposes. Conversely, it was possible that cannabis users were truly sicker and in need of alternative or additional therapies to reduce pain and other symptoms. [More access here](https://cedclinic.com/) [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 [Rheumatologists lack confidence in their knowledge of cannabinoids pertaining to the management of rheumatic complaints](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-rheumatic-diseases-knowledge-gaps-care/) This article discusses the knowledge gaps among rheumatologists regarding cannabinoid therapies for rheumatic diseases and highlights the need for better education. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-rheumatic-diseases-knowledge-gaps-care/) [Some Cannabinoids May Ease Common Chronic Pain Conditions, Study Finds – Forbes](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-efficacy-data-chronic-pain-conditions-study/) A study exploring the potential benefits of cannabinoids in managing [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/) conditions, relevant to rheumatology patients seeking [alternative therapies](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-eligibility-book-appointment/). [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-efficacy-data-chronic-pain-conditions-study/) [Cannabis Therapy Associated With Sustained Declines in Opioid Use Among Chronic Pain Patients](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-therapy-associated-with-sustained-declines-in-opioid-use-among-chronic-pain-patients/) Research showing how [cannabis therapy](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) may reduce opioid dependence in chronic pain patients, including those with rheumatic diseases. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-therapy-associated-with-sustained-declines-in-opioid-use-among-chronic-pain-patients/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Survey%20of%20Herbal%20Cannabis%20%28Marijuana%29%20Use%20in%20Rheumatology%20Clinic%20Attenders&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fherbal-cannabis-use-rheumatology-survey%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fherbal-cannabis-use-rheumatology-survey%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Survey%20of%20Herbal%20Cannabis%20%28Marijuana%29%20Use%20in%20Rheumatology%20Clinic%20Attenders%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fherbal-cannabis-use-rheumatology-survey%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### 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).