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Medical Marijuana Helps People With Disabilities

By February 3, 2026No Comments

What the Study Found:

A new government-funded study shows that many people with disabilities use medical marijuana—and it really helps them, especially with pain. More than 1 out of every 5 people with disabilities in the study said they use cannabis.

Why They Use It:

The top reasons people gave for using medical marijuana were:

  • 70% use it for pain relief (like back pain, joint pain, or headaches)
  • 60% use it to relax or reduce stress
  • Many use it for specific health problems like migraines, nausea, muscle spasms, seizures, trouble sleeping, and mental health issues

About the Study:

  • The research was paid for by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (a government health agency)
  • Scientists from George Mason University and the University of Nevada did the research
  • They surveyed nearly 2,000 people with different types of disabilities
  • The study was published in November 2025 in the Disability and Health Journal

Read the Official Study:

What Types of Disabilities Were Included:

The study looked at people with disabilities that affect:

  • Thinking and memory
  • Hearing
  • Living independently
  • Moving around
  • Taking care of themselves
  • Vision

What Other Research Shows:

Medical marijuana for pain is getting more attention from scientists. Here’s what recent studies have found:

  1. It works about as well as common painkillers – A 2025 review found that cannabis reduces pain by about 1 point on a 1-10 scale, which is similar to ibuprofen and even prescription painkillers
  2. It’s safer than opioids – Medical marijuana doesn’t cause the same addiction problems as opioid pain pills, which have caused over 80,000 deaths per year in recent years
  3. It helps people use less opioids – Veterans who use medical marijuana reported using 20% fewer opioid pills
  4. It helps with back pain – A big study in Europe found that cannabis oil works better than fake pills (placebos) for chronic back pain

Important Things to Know:

The study’s researchers said:

  • The information came from what people told them (self-reported)
  • Most people in the study were white, female, college-educated, and had money
  • Results might be different for people from other backgrounds
  • Some people might have been talking about marijuana use in the past, not just current use

How Many People Use Medical Marijuana for Pain:

According to the White House:

  • Nearly 1 in 4 American adults have chronic pain
  • 6 out of 10 people who use medical marijuana do it for pain
  • 40 states plus Washington D.C. now have legal medical marijuana program

Where Medical Marijuana Money Helps:

The study also found that in states like Colorado, money from marijuana sales is being used to help people with disabilities:

  • Funding for accessibility programs
  • Support for independent living
  • Community programs

The Bottom Line:

This study shows that medical marijuana can be a helpful tool for people with disabilities who deal with chronic pain. It’s used by many people and helps with pain, relaxation, and other health problems.

However, marijuana isn’t right for everyone. It’s important to talk with a doctor who knows your health history before trying it. Also, make sure it’s legal in your state and that you follow all the rules.

If you or someone you know has a disability and chronic pain, this research suggests medical marijuana might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider as part of a complete pain management plan.

 

What You Should Do:

If you have a disability and chronic pain:

  1. Talk to your doctor about whether medical marijuana might help you
    • Discuss the benefits and risks
    • Make sure it won’t interact badly with other medicines you take
    • Ask about the right dose and type
  2. Check your state’s laws about medical marijuana:
    • NORML State Laws Guide – Complete guide to marijuana laws in all 50 states
    • Some states require a doctor’s recommendation
    • Some states have special programs for people with disabilities
  3. Learn about medical marijuana safely:
  4. Important warnings:
    • Don’t use medical marijuana if you have serious mental health problems without talking to a doctor first
    • Don’t drive after using marijuana with THC (the part that makes you “high”)
    • Keep all marijuana products away from children
    • Only buy from legal, licensed stores in states where it’s legal

Resources for People With Disabilities:

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