Back pain has Macroeconomic significance because it’s the largest source of disability payments in the U.S. Unlike many chronic illnesses, back pain often doesn’t have any diagnostic tests and relies on the subjective report of the patient.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Many people have physical defects that cause chronic back pain, such as scoliosis or a ruptured intervertebral disc. But many have pain that is caused by obesity and/ or lack of exercise. I watched an educational broadcast by two back surgeons from the University of California medical school who agreed that back surgeries for pain in the absence of physical defects are often useless.
Now there’s an easier answer than losing weight and exercise: Get stoned!
A Surprising Treatment for Chronic Lower Back Pain: Cannabis
Two new drug trials find a THC-based cannabis extract could help with a condition that affects millions
By Sumathi Reddy, The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 28, 2025
It’s the leading cause of disability and one of the most costly health challenges of our time: chronic lower back pain.
Yet effective and safe treatments are few and far between, leading patients to try everything from supplements to acupuncture to cannabis for relief.
Now, two new studies provide some of the most comprehensive evidence yet that THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis that creates the high—in combination with other parts of the cannabis plant may provide safe and effective relief. The two large, Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated that the THC product is safe and more effective at reducing chronic lower back pain than placebo or opioids.
Unfortunately, the news, while promising, won’t provide immediate relief for the more than 70 million U.S. adults who suffer from chronic lower back pain. The product tested is expected to be available in parts of Europe next year, while the path to approval in the U.S. will require another clinical trial. … [end quote]
About 1/3 of people have a genetic variation that enables “cross-talk” between the cannabinoid receptor and the opioid receptor. That is, THC in those people can stimulate the opioid receptor and lead to addiction.
Chronic pain is debilitating and costly. Many people should start with non-drug treatments but the new cannabis-based drug will probably be a blockbuster once it’s approved.
Wendy