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What a new study found about cannabis and opioid choice

This study is useful because it shows preference, not proof. It suggests how some adults think about pain relief options when cannabis, opioids, over-the-counter medicines, and no treatment are put side by side.

17 June 2026 2 min read

This study is useful because it shows preference, not proof. It suggests how some adults think about pain relief options when cannabis, opioids, over-the-counter medicines, and no treatment are put side by side.

Key takeaways

  • In the study, over-the-counter options were preferred overall.
  • After that, cannabis was often chosen over opioids in hypothetical pain scenarios.
  • People with previous cannabis experience were more likely to choose cannabis.
  • Higher opioid costs pushed choices away from opioids and towards cannabis.
  • The study does not prove that cannabis is better than opioids for pain control in real life.

Evidence base

The study was a discrete-choice experiment published in 2025. It surveyed 301 adults aged 40 and over in three California regions. Each participant made 16 choices between pain-treatment options that varied by type of medicine, effectiveness, access, side effects, addictiveness, and cost.

The headline finding was that over-the-counter treatment remained the most preferred option overall. Cannabis was the next most attractive option for many participants, especially among people who had used cannabis before. The model also found that if opioid costs rose, the likelihood of choosing cannabis increased.

That is interesting, but it has limits. The study was based on hypothetical choices in one US setting, not on actual prescribing, symptom control, or long-term safety. It does not tell us whether patients would stay on cannabis, whether pain would improve, or whether opioid use would really fall in routine care.

For UK patients, that distinction matters. NHS and NICE guidance still treat cannabis-based medicines as specialist-led treatments with a narrow evidence base. A preference study can help explain patient attitudes, but it should not be read as a general recommendation to replace opioids with cannabis.

What patients should know

If you are thinking about changing from an opioid to a cannabis-based medicine, do not do it on your own. Opioids should not be stopped suddenly, and a change in treatment should be planned with a clinician.

It helps to be clear about the goal:

  • reducing pain
  • improving sleep
  • improving function
  • lowering side effects from current medicine
  • reducing opioid dose in a safe way

If you already take an opioid, a review should also cover sedation, constipation, dependence risk, and driving safety. A study about preference cannot tell you whether a cannabis medicine is legal, suitable, affordable, or effective for you.

When to speak to a clinician

Speak to a clinician if:

  • pain is still limiting your daily life
  • opioid side effects are building up
  • you want help tapering safely
  • you are considering cannabis because of a headline or social media post
  • you feel too sleepy, confused, or unsteady on your current treatment
  • you have breathing problems, low mood, or a history of substance misuse

If you have signs of opioid overdose, such as severe sleepiness, slowed breathing, or cannot be woken, seek urgent help immediately.

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