Study Rationale:
Medical marijuana (cannabis) is now legal in 47 states, and recreational use is legal in nine. Interest in cannabis for treating Parkinson’s disease (PD) is rapidly increasing. Despite many anecdotal reports, there is very little definite information on what types of cannabis people with PD are taking and the benefits and side effects that occur. The goal of this study is to obtain more solid information on what effects are occurring when people with PD take various doses of various types of cannabis.
Hypothesis:
The various types of cannabis have some benefits and some negative effects in people with PD.
Study Design:
All people with PD participating in the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s online Fox Insight study will receive an email asking them to participate in a survey on their current and/or past use of cannabis. The survey will collect information on the frequency, types and methods of using cannabis, and the good and bad effects of various doses. The survey will also ask whether using cannabis has allowed them to reduce their use of prescription drugs. We will analyze the survey results.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease:
This information will enable researchers to design studies needed to define the types, dosing, and good and bad effects of cannabis in PD. Further, this information will help clinicians develop guidelines to advise people with PD on the use of cannabis.
Next Steps for Development:
The next steps will be to develop studies and guidelines on the use of cannabis in PD.