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For Immediate Release
report reduced anxiety and depression in one of the largest studies ever involving medical cannabis
St. Paul, Minn. – Patients with autism enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program report a noticeable improvement in their co-occurring conditions within four months of receiving medical cannabis, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The study is just one of numerous reports published by the office that highlights the beneficial impacts of medical cannabis on symptoms experienced by patients enrolled in the program and underscores the office’s commitment to public health.
“This study demonstrates the value of listening to patients and using real-world data to better understand how medical cannabis may improve their quality of life,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “The findings are encouraging, particularly for patients experiencing anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and other conditions that can accompany autism. As Minnesota’s cannabis market continues to evolve, research like this helps us build a stronger evidence base and make informed decisions that put patients and public health first.”
The study—one of the largest on record involving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and medical cannabis patients—analyzed data Aug. 1, 2018, through July 31, 2024, from 1,811 adult and pediatric patients qualified for ASD. The new report draws on data from patient enrollment, medical cannabis purchases, symptom and side-effect ratings at the time of each purchase, and patient survey results to describe the experiences of patients who are certified as having ASD by their health care practitioner.
Anxiety was the most common symptom reported among patients included in this study, with 88.3% reporting moderate to severe scores. Among patients with moderate to severe anxiety, 57% experienced a meaningful reduction of symptoms, defined as experiencing at least a 30% reduction in anxiety within four months of their first medical cannabis purchase. Among patients whose anxiety scores improved, 67.4% were able to maintain that reduced level of anxiety for at least four months after initial improvement. Overall, one-third (34.3%) were able to maintain a meaningful reduction in anxiety symptoms for at least four months after initial improvement.
Similarly, 37.3% of patients with moderate to severe disturbed sleep scores and 34.4% of patients with moderate to severe fatigue were able to achieve and maintain a meaningful reduction of symptoms. Depression scores saw even greater improvement. Among all patients with moderate to severe depression scores, 63.4% reported a meaningful reduction in their symptoms within four months of their first medical cannabis purchase. Overall, 42.9% of patients with moderate to severe depression scores were able to achieve and maintain a meaningful reduction in depression scores.
Proportions of patients between children and adults who were able to achieve and maintain a 30% reduction in symptom scores were similar for anxiety (33.5% vs. 35.1%), depression (41.3% vs. 41.4%), and fatigue (35.3% vs 33.9%). A higher percentage of adult patients were able to achieve and maintain a meaningful reduction in disturbed sleep score at 40.2%, compared to 34.1% of pediatric patients.
"The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is particularly encouraged by findings that medical cannabis patients with autism report reduced anxiety and depression, because these are pervasive concerns within our community," said Daren Howard, AuSM interim executive director. "This study represents an important step toward safely informing the public and expanding access to supportive treatment options."
About the Study
This report analyzed patient benefits after using medical cannabis. It does not compare to a control group of patients not using medical cannabis, nor does it account for other treatments used by patients. More research is needed to investigate medical cannabis and autism spectrum disorder.
ASD was approved in Minnesota as a qualifying condition on Aug. 1, 2018. Minnesota’s medical cannabis program is unique among the states with medical cannabis programs in that it is required by law to study and learn from the experiences of patients. Minnesota’s program collects data about and from participating patients and publishes research that adds to the growing scientific knowledge base about medical cannabis.
"There are very few clinical trials using cannabis as a therapeutic agent in patients with autism spectrum disorder, so this report provides important data for future studies on medical cannabis and ASD," said Grace Christensen, OCM senior research analyst.
OCM consulted with the Autism Society of Minnesota and the Autism Resource Portal, a collaborative state website for autism information and community support, for input on this study. OCM recommends consulting with a medical professional for appropriate dosages before starting medical cannabis treatment or any medical therapy. OCM created a Guide to Safer Cannabis Use in Minnesota to provide the public with an overview of safety and legal considerations for cannabis use in Minnesota. Whether you are a registered medical cannabis patient or an adult exploring licensed adult-use retail options, these guidelines help ensure a safer, responsible experience. This guide is also available in Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
Read the full report on OCM’s Medical Cannabis Reports page, which includes additional reports describing the experiences of patients with various medical conditions treated in the medical cannabis program.
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