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Source: Aclara Research

UPDATE -- Aclara Research Continues to Lead the Cannabis Industry with Release of Latest Study

Aclara’s Newest Study Shows Correlation between Medical Cannabis Use among Patients and Decrease of Prescription Opioid Usage

CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aclara Research, a leader in the development of patient and consumer insights within the cannabis industry, released the preliminary results of their latest study examining Illinois patient usage of medical cannabis and the impact on prescription opioid usage. The study found that 67 percent of Illinois patients stopped using opioid medications after using medical cannabis. The study further went on to find that 30 percent of patients stopped using prescription drugs completely after using medical cannabis.

Aclara partnered with pharmacists, patient advocacy groups and dispensaries to field an online survey of medical cannabis patients residing in Illinois. The team presented the results of the patient survey at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), and the Midwest Cannabis Education Conference this past November.

Key preliminary findings include:

  • Sixty seven percent of patients stopped using opioid medications after using medical cannabis. In addition, 29 percent of patients reported a decrease in the number of opioid medications after starting medical cannabis.
  • Thirty percent of study respondents stopped using all prescription drugs after using medical cannabis.
  • Only 15 percent of patients are talking to their pharmacist about medical cannabis. More than half reported that the in-store pharmacist responded positively to the subject of medical cannabis.
  • Fifty seven percent of Illinois patients buy their prescription drugs from a national drug chain. Over 40 percent of respondents primarily shop at Walgreens.
  • Over 40 percent of patients obtain information about medical cannabis from social media or the internet.

Carmen Brace of Aclara Research led the patient study in partnership with the following medical cannabis and pharmaceutical experts:

  • Luba Andrus, RPh, Vice President of Patient Care, MedMar Dispensaries of Illinois
  • Anne Berg, PharmD, Consultant Pharmacist
  • Bradley Carlson, PharmD, RPh, Director of Pharmacy, Keystone Canna Remedies and Principal, CannaRPh
  • Joseph Friedman, RPh, COO of PDI Medical Dispensary of Illinois and Principal, CannaRPh

The team will expand this study through qualitative and quantitative research across markets with medical cannabis patients, adult use consumers and medical professionals. Final study results will be released in January 2018.  For more information, please connect with Aclara Research, @aclararesearch, on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram or visit www.aclararesearch.com.

CONTACT: 
Jennifer Podkasik

Arrowhead Communications
630.347.9338
jen@arrowheadsocialpr.com