The Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research has been awarded a $686,376 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to explore the therapeutic benefits of medical use and investigate potential side effects and health risks.
Led by Tammy Chung, a psychiatry professor at Rutgers Health, the research aims to address critical gaps in understanding the impact of medical use, with a focus on providing better support and clearer guidelines for health care professionals and patients alike.
“There’s been a rapid expansion of medical use, but we lack clarity related to potential risks,” said Chung. “For example, should our criteria for assessing cannabis use disorder be the same for therapeutic and recreational users? And what type of guidelines should we apply for individuals using cannabis both recreationally and for therapeutic reasons? There are gaps in our knowledge, and the answers are important to informing health care decisions.”
Filling Knowledge Gaps for Better Care
Chung emphasized that while not all medical users develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), some do, and researchers still don’t fully understand the risk factors. “It’s important to note that not all patients using medical cannabis develop CUD,” Chung explained. “But some do, and right now we can’t be sure who’s at risk. To provide the best support, we need to learn more about all relevant factors. The more we understand, the more effective our counseling resources can be.”
Participants in the Rutgers Health study must meet New Jersey’s legal qualifications for therapeutic use and hold a valid New Jersey medical cannabis program card. By studying patient outcomes, the research aims to provide insights into effective health care strategies while addressing potential risks associated with medical use.
A Milestone in Research
This study marks a significant step forward as the medical market continues to grow. By addressing the therapeutic potential and risks, Rutgers researchers aim to contribute valuable insights to guide safer and more effective medical practices.
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