Abstract Details

Title Sources of Cannabis Information and Medical Guidance Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: NARCOMS Survey Results

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P10 - Poster Session 10 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-003

Background There is growing interest in cannabis use by PwMS for management of MS symptoms, particularly as cannabis products become more accessible. However, it is unclear how PwMS obtain medical guidance and product information.

Objective To evaluate how people with MS (PwMS) obtain medical information on cannabis and how PwMS view the role of their healthcare provider as an information source.

Design/Methods Active US participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) registry were invited to complete an online supplemental survey regarding the use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing cannabis for their MS symptoms. This analysis explored the source of medical guidance for cannabis use and product information for current users, as well as their resulting product preferences. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results Of 6934 participants invited, 3240 (47%) responded about their use of cannabis to treat MS symptoms; 636 (20%) of respondents were current users (used cannabis for MS symptoms within 30 days). Most current users (75%) had discussed cannabis with their physician, but the most frequent primary source of medical guidance was “nobody/self” (47%), followed by dispensary professionals (20%), an MS physician (12%), or a physician other than the MS provider (11%). The most common information sources used to determine “what exactly is in the cannabis/marijuana product” were dispensaries (45%), dealer/friends (31%), and product labels (27%). Current users reported that they most often obtained cannabis products from dispensaries (62%), followed by family/friend (18%) or acquaintance (13%). The most important factors in selecting a product were quality/safety (70%), access to preferred potencies/formulations (40%), and location close to home (39%).

Conclusions PwMS who use cannabis commonly discuss its use for MS with their physicians, but medical guidance and information about cannabis product content is most often either not sought or sought from individuals other than their healthcare providers.

Authors/Disclosures
Robert J. Fox, MD, FAAN (Cleveland Clinic) PRESENTER	Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for AB Science. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Janssen. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for BMS. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Immunic. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genzyme. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Siemens. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for INmune Bio. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Lily. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Greenwich Biosciences. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Immunic. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Janssen. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for AB Science. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for BMS. The institution of Dr. Fox has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Fox has received research support from National MS Society. Dr. Fox has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Amber Salter, PhD (UT Southwestern Medical Center)	Dr. Salter has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Gryphon Bio. Dr. Salter has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abata Therapeutics. Dr. Salter has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sora Neuroscience. Dr. Salter has stock in Owl Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Salter has received research support from National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The institution of Dr. Salter has received research support from Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The institution of Dr. Salter has received research support from Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. The institution of Dr. Salter has received research support from Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Gary R. Cutter, PhD (University of Alabama At Birmingham)	Dr. Cutter has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biodelivery Sciences International, Biogen, Click Therapeutics, Genzyme, Genentech, GW Pharmaceuticals, Immunic, Klein-Buendel Incorporated, Medimmune/Viela Bio, Medday, Merck/Serono, Neurogenesis LTD, Novartis, Osmotica Pharmaceuticals, Perception Neurosciences, Recursion/Cerexis Pharmaceuticals, Regeneron, Reckover Pharmaceuticals, Roche, TG Therapeutics.. Dr. Cutter has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Applied Therapeutics, AI therapeutics, AMO Pharma, Astra-Zeneca, Avexis Pharmaceuticals, Biolinerx, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, Bristol Meyers Squibb/Celgene, CSL Behring, Galmed Pharmaceuticals, Green Valley Pharma, Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Immunic, Karuna Therapeutics, Mapi Pharmaceuticals LTD, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings, Opko Biologics,Prothena Biosciences, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Reata Pharmaceuticals, NHLBI (Protocol Review Committee), University of Texas Southwestern, University of Pennsylvania, Visioneering Technologies, Inc.. Dr. Cutter has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for JASN.
Joshua R. Steinerman, MD	Dr. Steinerman has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Greenwich Biosciences. Dr. Steinerman has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Click Therapeutics. Dr. Steinerman has received stock or an ownership interest from Greenwich Biosciences. Dr. Steinerman has received stock or an ownership interest from Click Therapeutics. Dr. Steinerman has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Kathryn Nichol, PhD (LivaNova)	Dr. Nichol has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Greenwich Biosciences.
	No disclosure on file