A new study published in Cureus found that medical marijuana was associated with a sharp reduction in opioid use among chronic pain patients, while also reducing pain scores and improving physical functioning.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted what they say is the first prospective observational study to evaluate medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids in a setting where cost was removed as a major barrier.

The study involved 29 patients recruited from a university-based outpatient chronic pain clinic. Participants underwent monthly pain assessments using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, while their daily opioid use was tracked in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) over a five-month period. Researchers also measured pain-related quality of life using the SF-36 Health Survey at the start of the study and again at two and five months.

According to the study, average daily opioid use fell from 46.8 MMEs at baseline to 16.2 MMEs after one month, marking a 65% reduction. That reduction was maintained throughout the five-month study period.

Pain levels also declined. The average pain score dropped from 7.03 at baseline to 5.07 after one month, a two-point reduction that researchers said was statistically significant. The improvement was still present at five months.

The study also found gains in physical functioning, with SF-36 Physical Functioning scores increasing from 15.3 at baseline to 21.4 after one month. Those improvements were also maintained through the five-month follow-up.

Researchers concluded that medical marijuana may be a useful adjunct therapy for reducing opioid use, easing chronic pain and improving health-related quality of life.